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Body:
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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
�T.Op-Seer-Ot-
3.5(c)
Central Intelligence Bulletin
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c 214
15 March 1968
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Top Secret
The CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN is produeed 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,
4op-Seeret�
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Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Vietnam: Situation report. (Page 1)
Japan: The Sato government may be made more
cautious on Vietnam by new demonstrations.
(Page 3)
Thailand: Army may postpone operations against
guerrillas in north after costly setbacks. (Page 4)
Poland: New demonstrations (Page 8)
Panama: Impeachment voted (Page 8)
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*Vietnam:
North Vietnam: Hanoi's attitude toward a negotiated
settlement is firm and uncompromising in the wake of
the Tet offensive, according to soundings taken by the
French and Austrians.
On the military front, unusual North Vietnamese
flight activity in recent days may signal Communist
air operations over Laos or northern South Vietnam.
There are indications that these missions may include
an IL-28 bombing raid, a bombing or supply mission
by AN-2 and IL-14 transports, and perhaps MIG at-
tacks against allied aircraft.
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1
Z.ET
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1
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At the same time, the Communists are improving
their air defenses over wide areas of North and South
Vietnam. Hanoi has recently broadened its surface-to-
air missile coverage of key areas in north-central and
southern North Vietnam.
South Vietnam:
uommunist forces may be preparing for another
round of coordinated attacks in key areas of the coun-
try, possibly as soon as 15 March.
Military activity yesterday was light.
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Japan: The possibility of intensified anti-US dem-
onstrations may make the Sato government more cau-
tious in handling problems related to Vietnam.
The Japanese Communist Party has issued an ap-
peal to "all democratic organizations and people" to
"crush" US activities in Japan and Okinawa related to
the war and to strengthen support for the Vietnamese
Communists. The Communists call for intensified ac-
tion against port calls by US nuclear-powered vessels,
against the stationing of B- 52s on Okinawa and against
the manufacture and transport of goods in support of
South Vietnam.
The wide dissemination given the appeal suggests
something more than a propaganda gambit and may
presage a significant step-up in leftist demonstrations.
The Communists probably are encouraged by the un-
usual degree of solidarity among opposition parties
which produced several setbacks for the Sato govern-
ment in the current Diet session. The Communists
hope to attract support from nonleftist elements who
are increasingly concerned about US policies.
Sato has already responded to Okinawan pressures
over the B-52 issue by agreeing to send a commission
to hold open meetings on the base problem. Recent
demonstrations by ultraleftist students against the estab-
lishment of a US field hospital in Tokyo apparently have
led to the indefinite ost onement of its scheduled open-
ing this month.
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3
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Thailand: Area of Insurgent Activity
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Thailand: The army may temporarily drop its
sweep operations against Communist-led guerrillas
in the north.
Senior army leaders have admitted to US officials
that little progress has been made against insurgent
bands in Nan Province, and that they are reluctant to
continue operations in the face of mounting government
casualties. They also acknowledge that the army's ef-
fort to deny the guerrillas a popular base by forcefully
relocating tribesmen and destroying villages has in-
creased tribal tensions, and could open the way for
further Communist gains.
The government is now seeking new approaches
to the security problem in the north. Thai troops in
the area will receive US Special Forces training, and
will be given additional helicopters to ease their se-
vere mobility and logistical problems. In addition,
Bangkok plans to develop a hill tribe security force
and to increase assistance to tribal refugees. Thai of-
ficials are also trying to persuade commanders of the
Chinese Nationalist irregulars to settle their forces
in the affected area and keep the lid on for the time
being.
Bangkok's reappraisal is clearly overdue and
these measures, if implemented, should contribute
to its ability to deal with the problem.
A more lasting solution to the Communist threat
in the north will, of course, require a comprehensive
program of economic and social assistance by the � ov-
ernment to bridge the gap with the tribal people.
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