CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A009200080001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 10, 1966
• Content Type: REPORT

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Copy o . _
CENTRAL
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
RELATING TO NATIONAL SECURITY
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GROUP 1
EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
STATE review(s) completed.
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U
10 September 1966
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
CONTENTS
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Thailand: Foreign Minister Thanat pushing for
re-evaluation of arrangements governing US mili-
tary presence. (Page 4)
3. Syria: Political situation remains fragile as
rival factions jockey for power. (Page 5)
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Netherl
ands-Indo
sia;
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Thailand: Foreign Minister Thanat is pushing for
a re-evaluation of arrangements governing the US mili-
tary presence in Thailand. 0
In a conversation with US Ambass
do
a
r on
7 September, Thanat stated that the Thai cabinet had
authorized him to explore the possibility of negotiating
a "satisfactory" agreement covering mutual military
obligations. He claimed that he had the impression that
the US military was "doing as it pleased" in Thailand,
although he admitted that Prime Minister Thanom had
told the cabinet that all US military activities had been
properly cleared.
Thanat also argued that continuing criticism of
Thailand by important segments in the US led him to
doubt the commitment of future US administrations to
defend Thailand. He has reacted sharply in recent
weeks to criticism of Thailand in the US press.
The Foreign Ministry has recently presented the
US with two formal notes, one protesting unflattering
remarks about the Thai Government that have appeared
in American newspapers, and the other denouncing a
1925 US- Thai visa agreement. Thanat told the US am-
bassador that the latter note meant that Thailand in-
tended to be treated as a "sovereign and independent
nation by everyone. "
Thanat's current hypersensitivity may result from
the lukewarm reaction of Asian nations to his recent
Vietnam peace initiative.
It is not clear how much support Thanat has among
the Thai military leaders for his current campaign.
Some of them occasionally have expressed similar
sentiments, but it is unlikely that they will back a
fundamental change in Thailand's military arran ements
with the US.
10 Sep 66
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VMS
Thailand: Foreign Minister Thanat is pushing for
a re- evaluation of arrangements governing the US mili-
tary presence in Thailand.
Thanat's current hypersensitivity may result from
the lukewarm reaction of Asian nations to his recent
Vietnam peace initiative. F_ 7
the cabinet that all US military activities had been
told properly cleared.
Thanat also argued that continuing criticism of
Thailand by important segments in the US led him to
doubt the commitment of future US administrations to
defend Thailand. He has reacted sharply in recent
weeks to criticism of Thailand in the US press.
The Foreign Ministry has recently presented the
US with two formal notes, one protesting unflattering remarks about the Thai Government that have appeared
in American newspapers, and the other denouncing a
1925 US- Thai visa agreement, Thanat told the US am-
bassador that the latter note meant that Thailand in-
tended to be treated as a "sovereign and independent
nation by everyone. "
Ina conversation with US Ambassador Martin on
7 September, Thanat stated that the Thai cabinet had
authorized him to explore the possibility of negotiating
a "satisfactory" agreement covering mutual military
obligations. He claimed that he had the impression that
the US military was "doing as it pleased" in Thailand,
although he, admitted that Prime Minister Thanom had
It is not clear how much support Thanat has among
the Thai military leaders for his current campaign,
Some of them occasionally have expressed similar
sentiments, but it is unlikely that they will back a
fundamental change in Thailand's military arrangements
with the US.
10 Sep 66
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Syria: The political situation in Damascus re-
mains fragile as rival factions within the Baathist mili-
tary regime jockey for power,
Yesterday, the regime claimed that it had crushed
the second imperialist- backed coup attempt within 48
hours. Major Salim Hatum, the commando leader who
triggered the coup of last February which brought the
present radical Baathist group to power, is being ac-
cused of having led a plot in collaboration with leaders
of the ousted moderate faction of the Baath,
Religious rivalries have played a large part in the
recent conflicts, Hatum, a member of the minority
Druze sect, has reportedly orposed the ascendancy of
members of the rival Alawite sect within the military,
At the same time, the majority Sunni Muslims within
the army resent the present influence of both minority
groups.
Hatum's removal might enable leaders of the re-
gime's two major contending factions to reconcile some
of their own differences. Continuing tension and the
weakness of the regime's support even within the army,
however, will encourage further instability:
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NOTES
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Netherlands-Indonesia: An agreement settling the
Netherlands' claim for its seized property in Indonesia
was signed in The Hague on 7 September, after pro-
longed negotiations during which the Dutch claim was
scaled-down from over $1 billion to $167 million. The
Dutch simultaneously declared their willingness to ex-
tend further economic aid to Indonesia. The debt prob-
lem
has long been an irritant between the two countries
and its settlement will encourage the Dutch to eand
economic and cultural relations. 25X1
10 Sep 66
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