ESTIMATES OF ENEMY STRENGTH IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T02095R000100020008-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2005
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 17, 1999
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2006/09/2
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Honorable Walt W. Rostow
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
SUBJECT: Estimates of Enemy Strength in
South Vietnam
1. During the past three weeks I have made every effort
possible to reach community agreement on estimates of enemy
strength in South Vietnam. From 10 to 16 April/a draft CIA
assessment was the subject of a conference with representatives
of CIA, DIA, the Department of State, NSA, CINCPAC, and
MACV. Since then we have had several discussions of the
estimate with General Carroll and with General Wheeler.
2. Despite these measures, the community remains in
sharp disagreement. I have personally examined this matter
and an convinced that our assessment puts the question of
enemy strength in proper perspective and is the best estimate
that can be made on the basis of the available information.
3. I have attached to this memorandum a detailed
statement of our findings and recommend strongly that they
be accepted as the official figures for national planning. In
the event you wish to explore this matter in depth, I have also
attached the conference report and a statement of the method-
ologies for our estimate.
Richard Helms
Director
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 Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA-R DP78T02095R000100020008-8
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