CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03186516
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: April 27, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2019
• Publication Date: February 17, 1968

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
--Top-Seeret-
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Central Intelligence Bulletin
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17 February 1968
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-Top Secret-
The CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN is produced by the
Director of Central Intelligence to meet his responsibilities for providing
current intelligence bearing on issues of national security to the President,
the National Security Council, and other senior government officials. It
is produced in consultation With the Departments of State and Defense.
When, because of the time factor, adequate consultation with the depart-
ment of primary concern is not feasible, items or portions thereof are pro-
duced by CIA and marked with an asterisk.
Interpretations of intelligence information in this publication represent
immediate and preliminary views which are subject to modification in the
light of further information and more complete analysis.
Certain intelligence items in this publication may be designated specifically
for no further dissemination. Other intelligence items may be disseminated
further, but only on a need-to-know basis.
WARNING
This document contains classified information affecting the national security
of the United States within the meaning of the espionage laws, US Code
Title 18, Sections 793, 794, and 798.
-fort-SeeFet�
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17 February 1968
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Vietnam: Situation report. (Page 1)
West Berlin: A student rally Sunday could lead to vio-
lence. (Page 6)
Panama: Struggle to control election machinery dims
outlook for peaceful election. (Page 8)
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Demilitarized Zone
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*Vietnam: North Vietnamese gunners shelled
allied strongpoints from Khe Sanh eastward along the
length of the Demilitarized Zone on 15-16 February.
The heaviest barrage came at the Khe Sanh base,
where two US Marines were killed and 28 were
wounded.
In the eastern section of the Demilitarized Zone
enemy tanks were sighted approximately five miles
north of Con Thien. This is the first time tanks have
been seen in this sector. At last report airstrikes
had been called in, but there is no word on the re-
sults.
the North Vietnamese may be preparing large-
scale attacks in the Quang Tri city area.
it now appears almost certain that the
North Vietnamese 803rd Regiment has crossed the
Cua Viet River and joined the 812th north and east of
Quang Tri city.
Ground action elsewhere was generally light on
15-16 February. Allied forces are still meeting
stubborn enemy resistance in the Hue Citadel, how-
ever, and several small but violent skirmishes broke
out along the northern coast.
There have been a number of low-level reports
in recent days suggesting that new Communist attacks
on major urban areas may be imminent. Reports
like these are undoubtedly intended to alarm the
civilian population and keep allied forces off balance.
Nevertheless, the disposition of Communist forces
does pose a serious problem to a number of cities
and towns throughout the country.
17 Feb 68 1
(continued)
PILO Y- --STCK
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Viet Cong propaganda has picked up the theme of
several recent Hanoi broadcasts and seems to be
stressing the longer term effects of the Tet offensive.
Communiques from several Communist regional com-
mands in the South take the line that the offensive has
laid the groundwork for more intensive fighting ahead.
The propaganda also points out that further "successes"
will be costly and that continuing sacrifices and hard-
ships are necessary before final victory.
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West Berlin: An outdoor rally planned this Sun-
day by organizers of the anti-Vietnam Congress
could well lead to violence.
Congress sponsors, including the radical
Socialist German Student Federation, appear deter-
mined to test the newly expressed resolve of authori-
ties in Bonn and Berlin to keep student unrest in
bounds. Mayor Schuetz appears determined not to
back down or temporize, lest he suffer the fate of his
predecessor, who quit last fall after failing to cope
with the growing student problem.
Principal target for the Sunday demonstration is
the US headquarters complex in the southwest part of
the city. Rally leader Rudi Dutschke has urged parti-
cipants to wear raincoats and protective headgear and
to use flagstaffs and placards as weapons against the
police. Although the demonstrators may number more
than 5,000, the police should be able to prevent the
full impact of the demonstration from reachina the
headquarters area.
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Panama: A struggle for control of the election
machinery is dimming the prospects for a peaceful
election on 12 May.
Government candidate Samudio, faced with a
likely defeat at the polls by National Union candidate
Arnulfo Arias, appears determined either to control
the electoral process at any cost or to postpone the
elections. The struggle is centered on authority
within the key electoral tribunal, which now favors
Arias.
Samudio scored a tactical victory in getting
National Guard Commandant Vallarino to reinstall a
Samudio supporter as head of the tribunal's documen-
tation office. For their part, Arias' followers are
now considering a special session of the National As-
sembly to impeach President Robles for electoral
misconduct. Arias says he hopes to work out a legal
solution. He warns that lithe government moves to
postpone the elections he will use his majority in the
assembly to replace Robles with First Vice President
Del Valle, an Arias supporter.
The current conflict could erupt into violence
and put Vallarino in a difficult position. He has tried
to remain neutral, but he has been under pressure
within and outside the Guard to support Samudio.
Violence in the streets could force Vallarino to side
with the government or, as a last resort, intervene
and take over himself.
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