THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A000500010013-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2006
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: March 23, 1966
• Content Type: IM

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Appr - 013-6
OCI No. 1124/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
23 March 1966
The Situation in South Vietnam
(As of 4:00 P.M. EST)
1. Political agitation continued today in I
Corps at an intensified pace. Attacks on, the "rotten
regime" in Saigon and on specific government leaders
including Premier Ky were repeated on both the Hue
and Da Nang radio stations. A largely effective gen-
eral strike, scheduled to last three days, was in ef-
fect in Da Nang and may spread to Hue as well.
Crowds of students were milling about the city of
Hue, calling for further protest actions.
2. For the first time since protests began 12
days ago over the ouster of General Thi, today's demon-
strations contained overt attacks on the US for back-
ing the Ky regime. Some banners were seen displaying
anti-American slogans, and some of the propaganda
broadcasts accused the US of delaying the development
of parliamentary democracy in order to maintain tight
control of South Vietnam. There was, however, some
effort to distinguish between the American political
and military roles in South Vietnam, with criticism
leveled at the former and gratitude still being ex-
pressed for US military help against the Viet Cong.
3. Although there has been no firm information
on the activities of Buddhist monk Tri Quang since his
return to the Hue area, the themes being expressed in
the current agitation in I Corps are largely in sup-
port of the four Buddhist demands with very little
reference to the case of ousted commander General Thi.
Several of the radio statements stressed agruments
privately raised by Tri Quang, who had also warned US
State Dept. review completed
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 officials that a popular campaign could have anti-
US overtones, but that this would not be directed
at the US military.
4. At the same time,I
Tri Quang is still passing assur-
that the Buddhists do not wish to create
trouble in I Corps and do not desire the overthrow of
Premier Ky. Other Buddhist leaders in Saigon reported-
ly are indicating that, although angered over Ky's
intemperate weekend attack, they are willing to ac-
cept his retraction and do not desire new disturbances.
The Buddhists reportedly were offering similar assur-
ances last week, while continuing to press the gov-
ernment for some action on their four principal de-
mands.
5. Whether or not the government is giving
credence to these alleged assurances, government
leaders are continuing intensive behind-the-scenes
talks with key Buddhists in an effort to put a halt
to Buddhist-inspired agitation. Although it is pos-
sible that a compromise is still being explored,
these talks may be in the nature of probing by both
sides for indications of disunity on the part of the
other.
7. Although there continue to be reports that
anti-government activity will be stepped up in the
Saigon area, US Embassy sources claim that there is
still only limited support for the Buddhist position
in the capital. The bulk of Saigon university stu-
dents are seeking to avoid involvement, although high
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school age students are felt to be vulnerable to ex-
ploitation by agitators. There is also some danger
that if a Buddhist campaign gains momentum, Catholics
and other religious groups now attempting to remain
neutral may react.
8. Although General Thi has stayed out of the
limelight for the past few days, he apparently remains
in the Hue area, residing in a government villa, and
showing no sign of obeying a government order to re-
turn to Saigon. Thi may be awaiting some opportunity
to step into the situation should it appear that Ky's
position is in jeopardy. The government reportedly
is now sending an officer from Saigon to I Corps to
"persuade" Thi to return to the capital.
9. Ky today addressed the opening session of a
conference of provincial administrators in Saigon,
primarily on the subject.of local administration and
rural construction. He made a point of stating that
the government recognizes "democracy building" as one
of its main duties, and would carry out its plan as
announced at the second Armed Forces Congress early
this year. His remarks suggest no intention. to budge
from the government's present plans or timetable in
order to accomodate Buddhist demands for a faster
transition to civilian rule.
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Approved For Release 2007/03/06 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000500010013-6