CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1954/07/14
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
02026947
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
U
Document Page Count:
5
Document Creation Date:
August 20, 2019
Document Release Date:
August 30, 2019
Sequence Number:
Case Number:
Publication Date:
July 14, 1954
File:
Attachment | Size |
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CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15706602].pdf | 158.21 KB |
Body:
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14 July 1954
Copy No. 8 3
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
DOCUMENi- NO. 43
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
LI DECLASSIFIED
CLASS, CHANGED TO: TS S C
NEXT REVIEW DATE � ?OM
AUTH: HR 70-2
DATE: Z,bied REVIEWER;
Office of Current Intelligence
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
TOb CRET
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SUMMARY
GENERAL
1. Viet Minh pressing claims. in Laos and Cambodia (page 3).
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2. Comment on continued Chinese aid to the Viet Minh (page 3).
3. French seen withdrawing from Tonkin in near future (page 4).
LATE ITEM
4.
imminent Chinese Communist attack on
Tachen Islands (page 5).
7,
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GENERAL
1. Viet Minh pressing claims in Laos and Cambodia:
A Laotian delegate at Geneva reports the
French-Laotian military staff talks with
the Viet Minh are at an impasse over
Viet Minh insistence that the Laos govern-
ent recogrnze ana negotiate with the Communist-sponsored "Pathet
Lao" movement. He says the French have suggested that Laos accept
the Viet Minh proposal for "Pathet Lao regroupment areas" within the
country.
A Cambodian delegate says the Viet Minh�
has refused to discuss seriously the withdrawal of Communist
troops. The Viet Minh has also persistently sought to inject political
questions into the Cambodian-Viet Minh military talks.
Comment: These reports confirm earlier
indications that the Communists are seeking a settlement involving
Communist control of some part of Laos and some form of recogni-
tion of the "resistance movement" in Cambodia.
The Laotian government is reported to be
split on the question of whether to recognize "Pathet Lao." The
Cambodian government is believed to be standing firm in demanding
withdrawal of Viet Minh forces. Representatives of both governments
have expressed a desire for direct American support.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
2. Comment on continued Chinese aid to the Viet Minh:
known
Chinese arms shipments to the Viet Minh
between 8 May and 8 July indicate that
the capabilities of Ho Chi Minh's forces
for a possible delta attack have been signif-
icantly" strengthenedsince the fall of Dien Bien Phu. The receipt of
50 105mm howitzers is believed to have nearly tripled the enemy's
strength in that weapon.
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In addition, China has supplied six multi-
barreled rocket launchers--bringing the enemy's total to possibly
18--and 22 75mm mountain guns, 376 mortars, many recoilless
weapons including bazookas, over 200 machineguns, 1,800 submachine
guns, and large quantities of various types of ammunition.
This increase in Viet Minh firepower augments
that received during the Dien Bien Phu campaign and indicates a Chinese
intention to support a possible major assault.
3. French seen withdrawing from Tonkin in near future:
According to information received by the
American army attach�French thinking
in Saigon is "keyed to the departure" of
French forces from the Tonkin delta in
the near future. The "word from Trung
ta e site of current French-Viet Minh military negotiations,
is that the French are discussing conditions granting them uncon-
tested passage from the delta once a cease-fire is agreed on.
According to the attach�General Ely
has been "less than candid" with General O'Daniel on French in-
tentions.
The attach�elieves that if a cease-fire
is not achieved and the French decide to fight for Haiphong, the
"limiting factOr" might be the inadequate fresh water supply in
that city. The Viet Minh recently destroyed a reservoir and puri-
fication plant, thereby cutting the city's daily water supply by three
quarters; the Viet Minh claims it is able to cut off the entire supply.
Comment: Several reports have indicated
that the French intend to withdraw from all of Tonkin within the
next several months, regardless of a cease-fire agreement. In
any case, it would appear that Haiphong would be held only long
enough to permit withdrawal Of French and Vietnamese forces.
4
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LATE ITEM
imminent Chinese Communist attack on
Tachen ISlands:
Comment Earlier Chinese Communist
moves in the Tachen area this spring involved the taking of five
unoccupied islands near the Tachens, now held by 15, 000 Nation-
alist troops, and suggested that Peiping had made plans for a
concerted assault on the main islands some time this year.
The apparent transfer of at least one and.
possibly two jet fighter divisions to the Shanghai area north of the
Tachens this spring, and the recent use of shipborne controllers to
extend air operations to the coastal waters, have greatly increased
Peiping's air capabilities for striking at Nationalist island bases.
Troop strength on the East China mainland is sufficient to take the
Tachens at any time, according to US army intelligence estimates,
which indicate that a minimum of 35, 000 troops, with air support,
could conduct a successful operation.
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