COMMUNIST VIOLATIONS OF THE VIETNAM AND LAOS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 27, 2009
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: June 1, 1973
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
NSA review completed
Fifteenth Report
COMMUNIST VIOLATIONS OF
THE VIETNAM AND LAOS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS
(This report covers the week from
25 May through 31 May 1973)
This memorandum has been prepared jointly by the
Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of Defense
DIA Review Completed.
Secret
Secret
23
1 ,Tune 1973
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 25X1 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
1 June 1973
Fifteenth Report
COMMUNIST VIOLATIONS OF
THE VIETNAM AND LAOS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS*
(This report covers the week from
25 May through 31 May 1973)
The Key Points
Infiltration of North Vietnamese combat re-
placement troops to the northern provinces of
GVN MR 1 continued during the week.
With the rainy season now intensifying, North
Vietnamese logistical activity in southern
Laos and Cambodia diminished further. There
is still heavy NVA logistic movement, however,
in southern North Vietnam and northern South
Vietnam.
Combat activity in violation of the settle-
ment agreements was at a low level in both
South Vietnam and Laos.
* This report has been prepared jointly by the
Central Intelligence Agency and the Department
of Defense.
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
The Details
NOTE: This is the Fifteenth in a series of reports
detailing recently received evidence of (a) Commu-
nist efforts to infiltrate new manpower and mili-
tary materiel toward and into South Vietnam, and
(b) Communist-initiated combat activity in viola-
tion of the Vietnam and Laos settlement agreements.
Infiltration and Redeployments of North Viet-
namese Personnel
1. During the past week we received evidence
confirming the southward movement of two regular North
Vietnamese combat infiltration groups which were car-
ried in our estimates last week on the basis of less
definitive evidence. In the past three weeks, follow-
ing a hiatus of about two months in combat infiltration,
we have now detected nine new combat infiltration groups
totalling almost 5,000 replacement troops. All are
headed toward the northern provinces of GVN MR 1. Sev-
eral smaller groups of North Vietnamese civil or mili-
tary specialists were also detected starting the trip
south during the week.
2. We now estimate that some 24,500 North
Vietnamese personnel have entered the infiltration
pipeline since 27 January. Total infiltration
since the ceasefire is nearly 50,000 including
25,000 who were already in the pipeline and already
traveling south on 27 January. (ANNEX II,
contains a more detailed discussion of
the information on infiltration which was received
during the past week.)
3. Since the beginning of 1973, there have
been indications at one time or another that parts
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
or all of four NVA infantry divisions -- the 304th,
308th, 312th.)and 320B -- were in the process of
withdrawing from South Vietnam's Quang Tri Province.
Elements of all four of these divisions were re-
ported either in the North Vietnamese panhandle or
in garrison areas farther north in North Vietnam.
Further analysis, however, indicates that only one
of these divisions, the 308th, has definitely with-
drawn all its elements from South Vietnam. Reports
continue to be received that units of both the 304th
and 320B Divisions are operating and receiving air
defense support in Quang Tri Province, and there is
no evidence that the regiments of the 312th Division
withdrew to North Vietnam with its headquarters in
April. Elements of all three,of these remaining
divisions probably are continuing to operate in
Quang Tri Province while other divisional elements
are returning temporarily to the panhandle of North
Vietnam for routine rest and refitting.
4. During the period from late April to mid-
May, the headquarters of the NVA 377th Air Defense
Division moved from Quang Tri Province in South
Vietnam to the Tchepone area of southern Laos. This
headquarters -- which was previously responsible for
all Communist air defense operations in Quang Tri --
has been replaced in that role by a newly formed
division-level headquarters, the 673rd. This new
entity took command of the former subordinate sup-
port units of the 377th, all of which remained in
Quang Tri Province when the 377th headquarters itself
moved to Laos. The move of the 377th headquarters to
southern Laos was probably undertaken to provide im-
proved command and control over the six Air Defense
Command AAA Regiments now deployed in that area.
B. Movement of Military Equipment and Supplies
Toward and Into South 'Vietnam and Laos.
5. NVA logistic activity in southern Laos
continues to decline as the rainy season advances
over the area. There is still considerable traffic
on the north-south routes in the central part of
the Laotian Panhandle, but the level is well below
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
that of late April. (Moreover, a significant north-
bound bias has been evident during the past week.)
In contrast, high levels of resupply activity are
continuing in northern South Vietnam where large
quantities of munitions are being moved and heavy
vehicle traffic continues. Farther north, sub-
stantial logistic flows also continue through Vinh
and the southern part of the North Vietnamese Pan-
handle.
6. The following instances of Communist lo-
gistic activity were observed in South vietnam dur-
ing the period. Activity observed in South Vietnam
probably reflects supplies which have recently en-
tered the country. (The map on the following page
shows the roads and route numbers which appear.below.)
a) An NVA logistic unit operating in the
Cua Viet river area of northeastern
Quang Tri Province had 5,000 vehicles
transit its area during the period
17 to 23 May, a weekly total com-
parable to that noted in early May.
This week's total included 2,300 sup-
ply trucks, the remainder being troop
transports and jeeps.
b) On 24 May, an NVA logistic unit which
operates in the Laos/GVN MR-1 border
area had over 500 tons of munitions
moving through its area, and over
2,400 tons of munitions in storage.
The next day the unit had 4 south-
bound and 78 northbound cargo vehicles
traveling through its area.
c)
d)
eastbound, 74 westbound, 24 parked).
served on oute 9 between Dong Ha and
the Laos/South Vietnam border (70
68 cargo trucks were ob-
seen on Route 9 between Dong Ha and
the Laos/South Vietnam border (20
eastbound, 12 westbound, 15 parked).
47 cargo vehicles were
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 x Hon Nina
ioh (an)chorage) nrth Vmtnam
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
Nakhod
Phanoun
i Mu Gia
Pass
Karai
Pass
Khong
in do na
92 ? \
uong 922
Phu. Sdok~,
Aah Romeas
Warin
Cha.rap
Kier
C, i anal
Konipong Chh Ang
Hon - Quan Lq
naniancg - `
5n C
Kh~m 14 Tam Ky
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
South Vietnam
and
?-- Province boundary
Military region
International Commission
of Control and Supervision
region boundary
Road
Railroad
POL pipeline
0 25 50 75 Miles
5
0 25 6O 0 75 Kilom ela rs
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
e)
26 cargo vehicles were
noted on Route 1 north of Dong Ha
(23 northbound, 3 southbound).
7. During the reporting period the following
indications of North Vietnamese logistic activity in
southern Laos were noted. Historical precedent
would suggest that much of this activity probably
involved supplies destined for South Vietnam.
a) The table below lists observed NVA
vehicle activity on selected routes
in the Laos Panhandle during the
reporting period.*
Route 99
142(95-N, 24-S)
127(70-N, 0-S)
34(26-N, 2-S)
77(26-N, 9-S)
12(4-N, 1-S)
14 (Parked)
10(5-N, 5-S)
Route 9211
31 (6-N, 1-S)
85 (42-N, 19-S)
31 (21-N, 2-S)
49 (38-N, 3-S)
21 (5-N, 6-S)
8 (8-N)
NC**
Route 958
NC**
15 (1-N)
9 (2-N)
9 (1-N)
6 (4-S)
1 (1-S)
NC**
* The first number in each entry is the total num-
ber of vehicles. Of these totals, the number of
trucks moving north (N) or south (S) are noted
in the parentheses after each total. The re-
mainder of the vehicles detected were parked
along the roadway.
b)
22 cargo vehicles were ob-
serve parked along Route 9 west of
the Laos/South Vietnam border.
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
c) 27 cargo vehicles were ob-
served on Route 9 west of the Laos/
South Vietnam border (13 westbound,
2 eastbound, 12 parked).
8. There is additional evidence of the contin-
uing movement within North Vietnam of military and
other supplies probably destined for South Vietnam
and southern Laos.
a) On 21 May, the major NVA petroleum
shipping facility located in Thanh
Hoa Province received over 300 tons
and dispatched over 600 tons of POL
products.
b) On 23 May, a major logistic unit
operating south of Dong Hoi had 44
northbound and 39 southbound cargo
vehicles pass through its area.
c) On 24 May, a'storage facility in the
Vinh area received over 25 tons of
mortar, machinegun and AAA ammunition.
d) On 27 May, a storage facility located
near Vinh dispatched 15 cargo vehicles
carrying 37 tons of ordnance, prima-
rily AAA ammunition and rocket rounds.
C. Combat Activity Initiated by Communist Forces
in.South Vietnam Since the Ceasefire
9. In South Vietnam, the total number of Com-
munist-initiated ceasefire violations reported by
the South'Vietnamese Armed Forces sin
and for the last week (25-31 May) are
ce 27 Janu
shown bel
ary
ow:
Military Tota
l Since
Ceasefire La
st Week (2
5-31 May)
Region L
evel of
Action
Level of
Action
Majo
r
Minor Ma
jor
Minor
MR 1 95
9
3,177 2
1
75
MR 2 22
7
1,689
7
59
MR 3 36
7
2,285 1
9
96
MR 4 59
3
5,552 2
8
266
Totals 2,14
6
12,703 7
5(50)1/
496(489)1/
1/ Denotes totals of previous week.
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
10. Some of these violations may have been in-
itiated by GVN forces rather than Communist forces,
and it is impossible in all cases to determine the
actual instigator. The table above and the chart on
the following page, however, do show fairly accurately
the trend in the amount of combat that has occurred
in South Vietnam since the ceasefire. The fact that
a combat incident occurred at a particular time and
place is generally reported accurately by the South
Vietnamese, even though the question of who started
it may not always be treated in objective fashion.
In some cases, the Joint Military Commission (GVN/PRG)
also reports violations of the ceasefire.
11. The following is a chronological listing
of only the most significant "major" Communist vio-
lations of the ceasefire in South Vietnam that were
reported by the South Vietnamese Armed Forces during
the past week.
MILITARY REGION 1
a) No significant activity.
MILITARY REGION 2
a) No significant activity.
MILITARY REGION 3
a) On 28 May, ARVN Forces 5 miles.south-
west of Phuoc Vinh received a ground
attack.
b) On 31 May, enemy sappers destroyed
some 3,700 tons of mixed ordnance in
an ammunition storage depot five miles
southeast of Bien Hoa.
MILITARY REGION 4
a) On 25 May, a friendly unit 5 miles
southwest of Quan Long received a
ground attack.
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS IN SOUTH VIETNAM AS REPORTED BY RVNAF
(28 JANUARY 1913 TO THE PRESENT)
JAN-FEB
OITJALI VIIuLATI
INS
1 IL IN'
MAR
4VV
300
200
APR
400 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
300
200
MAY
4UU
300
200
, P ft 01 ,A I
r
~
40
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
b) On 27 May, ARVN Forces 10 miles south
of Vi Thanh received a ground attack.
c) On 30 May, ARVN forces some 20 miles
northeast of Soc Trang received a
ground attack.
D. Combat Activity Initiated b Communist Forces
in Laos' During the Week from 25 through 31 May
12. Twenty-five small combat incidents were
reported in Laos during the period, but none were
significant. A spate of minor incidents and a sus-
pected Communist troop buildup in the San Soak area
near the Khammouane/Xieng Khouang Province border
have raised fears of a possible Communist attempt to
eliminate this Royal Lao Government enclave. Over
350 civilians have evacuated the area. Another Com-
munist troop buildup has been reported northwest of
Ban Houei Sai in Houa Khong Province, where the
Pathet Lao have been attempting to stem the flow of
refugees from the Nam Yu area to Government-controlled
territory along the Mekong River.
13. Communist forces have constructed a bamboo
and barbed wire fence in an area 29 kilometers north-
east of Khong Sedone in northern Military Region IV
of Laos. The fence runs for a distance of six kilo-
meters, and apparently was built to delineate the
boundary of territory claimed by the Pathet Lao.
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 25X1 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
Post-Ceasefire Infiltration of North Vietnamese
Personnel, to the South
1. During the past week, there were several
references in Communications Intelligence to regular
combat infiltration groups. On 27 May, Group 4014
with a strength of almost 700 troops was observed
departing Vinh for the northern part of MR 1. Group
4015, destined for the same area, was detected far-
ther south in the infiltration system in the Laotian
Panhandle on 30 May. Both of these groups were pre-
viously gap-filled at 500 personnel each, and the
higher actual strength of Group 4014 is chiefly re-
sponsible for raising our previous estimate of 24,000
infiltration starts since 27 January to 24,500. The
average strength of the new infiltration groups ob-
served since 12 May is higher than the normal 500-
man size of groups detected in the recent past.
2. In addition to these groups, Group 7081
was observed in the Vinh area on 30 May destined for
the B-5 Front. Although the strength of this group
(68) and its designator suggest that it is not a
regular infiltration group of combat replacement
personnel, this possibility cannot be completely ex-
cluded. Five special-purpose groups with 33 person-
nel were also detected at Vinh during the past week.
3. The following table lists those infiltra-
tion groups which were reported for the first time
during the past week.
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78T02095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
Infiltration Groups Initially Reported
During_ the Past Week
Group
Designator Strength
I
4014
1
4015
696
2
500
7081
QL 114
QL 211B
QL 331
QL 444
QL 472
Location
North Vietnam
South Laos
North Vietnam
North Vietnam
North Vietnam
North Vietnam
North Vietnam
North Vietnam
Date of
Detection
27 May
30 May
30 May
28 May
28 May
28 May
27 May
28 May
1. Previously gap-filled with a strength of 500
personnel.
2. Estimated strength.
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
 Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4
Secret
Secret
Approved For Release 2009/04/08: CIA-RDP78TO2095R000700080031-4