CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A021700010002-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 21, 2003
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: April 15, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

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Top Secret
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Top Secret
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C~: t~ b
15 April 1972
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15 April 19-72
Central Intelligence Bulletin
THAILAND; Growing strains in leadership increase
government's indecisiveness. (Page 6)
ROMANIA: Bid for US grain age
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THAILAND: Growing strains within the top lead-
ership are contributing to the government's drift
and indecisiveness,
Field Marshal Thanom, chairman of the ruling
National Executive Council (NEC), and his deputy,
General Praphat, have been openly at odds over when
to promulgate an interim constitution and name a
cabinet. Although the two men have frequently dif-
fered on policy issues during the almost eight years
that they have ruled Thailand, their cordial per-
sonal relationship appears to be breaking down.
Communication between the two has grown more distant
In a public display of the division at the top,
Praphat has refuted Thanom's earlier announcement
that a new constitution will be promulgated during
April. Praphat apparently would like to stall on
the new arrangement until Thanom's term as supreme
military commander expires at the end of September,
which would open the way for Praphat's assumption
of the top military post. With the backing of other
influential members of the ruling clique, Praphat
seems to be winning, although there is some sentiment
for organizing a new government by June, when the
students return from summer vacation.
The military leaders are concerned about student
reaction if the government reneges on its promise
to return to constitutional rule. The leadership
is finding it increasingly difficult to make a
convincing case that the present arrangement is
giving efficient or dynamic direction to the coun-
try. The deterioration in relations between Thanom
and Praphat also runs the risk of stirring up latent
discontent among younger officers who have long
chafed under the old guard's reluctance to pass on
he leadership.
15 Apr 72 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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ROMANIA: Bucharest is seeking one million tons
of grain th about $60 million--in equal quantities
of wheat and corn--from the US on liberal credit
terms. The request underscores the potential seri-
ousness of crop shortfalls and Romanian concern over
the impact of additional imports on its already large
hard-currency indebtedness. Low soil moisture has
reduced yields for both winter wheat and barley, and
winterkill damage may already have reduced output by
as much as one million tons of wheat. Concern about
the prospects for corn may be premature as the crop
is only now being planted and normal rainfall in the
coming months could result in a good harvest. If
there is a shortfall in corn output, which is used
largely as feedgrain, Romania's efforts to expand
livestock production for export could be seriously
15 Apr 72 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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Approved For Release 2003/05/21 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO21700010002-8