THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A000900300001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 23, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 24, 1966
• Content Type: MEMO

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CE NTR'A.L I:NTELLIOENCE. A
THE SITUATION IN VIETNAM
p
PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
FURTHER DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT AUTHORIZED
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 Appro
Two US operations in the central part of South
Vietnam have reported heavy contact with enemy forces
on 24 June. In Saigon, the Ky government is firming
up plans for a major cabinet reshuffle.
I. The Military Situation in South Vietnam:
Units of the US 1st Air Cavalry Division participating
in Operation NATHAN HALE in coastal Phu Yen Province
are reported in heavy contact with an estimated two
companies of enemy troops (Para. 1). Operation PAUL
REVERE continues in Pleiku Province, where one bat-
talion of the US 25th Infantry Division is reported
to be in heavy contact with an estimated Viet Cong
battalion (Para. 2). Border surveillance Operation
BEAUREGARD began in western Kontum Province on 24
June (Para. 3). The three-day search-and-destroy
Operation EHU ended yesterday 20 miles northwest of
Saigon (Para. 4). A large number of North Korean
assault rifles copied from Russian models were among
the arms found in the Communist trawler captured off
Vinh Binh Province on 20 June (Para. 5).
II. Political Developments in South Vietnam:
The restora ion o governmen au ority in u ,, Da
Nang, and Saigon continued on 24 June (Paras. 1-3).
Thich Tam Chau, the chairman of the Buddhist Insti-
tute, strongly condemned the entry of the police
into the Institute compound (Para. 4). Premier Ky
is planning some major cabinet changes (Para. 5).
Military
Developments:
There is nothing of significance to report.
V. Communist Political Developments: There
is nothing of significance to repor .
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\Savannakhet
(~ Saravane
PHNOM- PENH,
\ NORTH .DOng Hol
~ VIETNAM
C)FMARCA (ION LINE
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Da Nang
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kk dHtt.r. Rea'susl
SOUTH VIETNAM
CURRENT SITUATION
0 25 50 75 100Miles
0 25 50 75 160 Kilometers
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I. THE MILITARY SITUATION IN SOUTH 'VIETNAM
1. Search-and-destroy Operation NATHAN HALE
continues in an area northwest of Tuy Hoa in
coastal Phu Yen Province. One battalion of the US
1st Air Cavalry Division was reported to be in heavy
contact with an estimated two companies of Commu-
nist troops this morning. There have been no reports
of casualties.
2. Operation PAUL REVERE, a seven-week-old
search-and-destroy operation in Pleiku Province, is
continuing with one battalion of the US 25th Infan-
try Division currently reported to be in heavy con-
tact with an estimated Viet Cong battalion. No re-
sults of this action are yet available.
3. In a continuation of the allied border sur-
veillance campaign in the high plateau region, two
battalions of the US 101st Airborne Division today
launched Operation BEAUREGARD in western Kontum Prov-
ince. Participating units are scheduled to use com-
bat reconnaissance-in-force and saturation patrolling
techniques along the Cambodian ':- Laotian - South.Viet-
namese border in an effort to block and destroy sus-
pected Communist infiltration, supply, and withdrawal
routes. No significant enemy contact has thus far
been reported.
4. The three:-day US Operation EHU, a.search-and-
destroy operation conducted in an area about 20 guiles
northwest of Saigon, ended yesterday. A total of 21
Americans were wounded and eight Viet Cong were
killed. Several Communist weapons and documents were
captured, and six trenches and one tunnel were de-
stroyed.
North Korean Rifles Found in Captured Communist Trawler
5. Examination of a portion of the arms taken from
the Communist trawler, which was seized off Vinh Binh
Province on 20 June, has revealed a large number of as-
sault rifles of North Korean manufacture. These rifles
are copies of the Soviet AK-47 model of assault rifle,
one of the 7.62-mm. family of weapons. These are the
first North Korean weapons to be found in the IV Corps
area.
24 June 1966
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II. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH VIETNAM
1.. Steps to consolidate government control
over the last vestiges of dissidence continued on
24 June in Saigon, Hue, and Da Nang. Government
security forces cordoned off Tri Quang's two pagodas
in Hue and removed coffins containing the remains
of two nuns who had burned themselves in protest
against the Ky-Thieu regime.
2. Arrests of "struggle" movement leaders
continue. Two of the rebel leaders have issued
apologetic statements today over radio Hue on the
"advice" of Colonel Loan. On 23 June, eighteen
bonzes in Da Nang who displayed banners inviting
the government to throw them in jail were promptly
obliged. They are reportedly being held at the
National Police headquarters.
3. Of the estimated 500 persons arrested in
Saigon on 22 and 23 June during the police sweep
of the Buddhist Institute, 30 to 40 of them, classed
as hoodlums, are still being detained. Some of the
draft-age youths picked up in the sweep-are being
inducted into the armed forces.
4. In a communique issued on 24 June, Insti-
tute Chairman Thich Tam Chau strongly condemned the
government's entry of the Institute. He declared
the Institute compound to be an "open area" for
which the government now is entirely responsible,
including the "incinerated heart" of the late Thich
Quang Due, the first monk to commit self-immolation
during the Buddhist protest against the Diem regime.
5. Premier Ky disclosed to Ambassador Lodge
today that he is planning to "reshuffle" the govern-
ment, referring to certain cabinet changes which
had been discussed among Directorate members prior
to its expansion. It appears that three more supra-
ministries will be added to six that now exist. Ky
is still apparently attempting to take over personally
the task of administering the foreign affairs port-
folio. He apparently would like to designate Tran
Van Do, now foreign affairs minister, a civilian vice
prime minister.
24 June 1966
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