THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A000800120001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 1, 2001
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 4, 1966
• Content Type: IM

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OCI NO. 1545/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
4 June 1966
The Situation in South Vietnam
(As of P.M.
EDT)
Saigon
1~ Twelve monks, who met at the Buddhist Institute
this morning (Vietnam time), decided against accepting
the resignations of Thichs Tam Chau and Ho Giac, An
institute communique following the meeting, however,
apparently claimed that Ky and Thieu had promised
Buddhist leaders they would step down before the 6 June
deadline for enlarging the Directorate (National Leader-
ship Committee),
noted that if the promise is not honored, an appropri-
ate protest will be made.
2. In a second communique .'ollowing this morningfls
meeting, the bonzes declared that it is the re.-ponsi-
bility of the Armed Forced Congress to change the gov-
ernment. A press interpretation of the communique
suggested that the Armed Forces Congress has been asked
to replace Ky and Thieu.
the generals will make cabinet changes
when it enlarges the Directorate. The Secretary of
Labor, Nguyen Xuan Phong, has apparently received in-
structions to resign from the cabinet by 6 June. He
claims that all the cabinet members have received
similar instructio
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4. The 10 proposed Directorate members will be
appointed by the generals. Three of them will be
chosen one each from the northern, central, and
southern sectors of the country. There will be a
member chosen from each of the Buddhist, Catholic,
Hoa Hao, and Cao Dal religions. The remaining three
members will be "independents" without political or
religious ties. Ky, Thieu, and the chairman of the
Election Law Drafting Committee have been solicitin
recommendations from religious leaders, 25X1C
5. As reported in the last two Bulletins, The
Directorate has no intention of weakening its con
6. It appears that the Buddhist Institute
position on 4 June is between the conciliatory stand
of Tam Chau and the severe stand of Tri Quang, whose
control of Hue seems to be on the wane. If the
Directorate strategy is successful, additional pro-
tests, suicides, and militant Buddhist tactics might
result after 6 June.
Buddhist Fiery Suicides Increased
7. Three more self-immolations marred nego-
tiations today. A nun burned herself on the Institute
grounds in Saigon at 2:00 a.m. Vietnam time this
morning. Another nun in Nba Tang city killed herself
at the same time in the same manner. In the northern-
most province of Quang Tri at 4x30 a.m. Vietnam time,
a novice monk repeated the earlier acts.
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8. Hue appeared to be returning to normal today.
The airport and government offices reopened. The
Consulate reports that four 1st Division infantry bat-
talions and an armored cavalry regiment are in the
city. General Lam, the new I Corps commander, reportedly
visited Hue today and gave his approval of events there
to 1st Division officers.
9. The Consul-General, however, reports that
General Nhuan is still partially under the influence
of Tri Quang. Generals Dinh and Thi are playing a
waiting game, and, since they have no command responsi-
bilities, can be expected to side with the group that
can best advance their personal interests. In spite of
the superficial appearance of governmental control over
the city, the Consular officer expects considerable
manuvering by Tri Quang, Nhuan, and the rebel students
before the situation can be called stable.
10. The Directorate does not plan to send other
troops to Hue unless the 1st Division is unable to
cope with the dissident students
e genera.is
cite the oya x y to the government of the 1st
Division chief of staff, the three regimental com-
manders, and the armored commanders. Most of the
struggle forces, whose armed strength is estimated
between 850 and 1,000, have fled to the Dieu De and.
Tu Dam pagodas which are also the strongholds of Tri
Quang, the tactics of
cordoning off the pagodas in Da Nang will be utilized
in Hue.
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