WEEKLY SUMMARY

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7
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RIPPUB
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S
Document Page Count: 
19
Document Creation Date: 
December 21, 2016
Document Release Date: 
June 2, 2008
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1
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Publication Date: 
June 24, 1966
Content Type: 
SUMMARY
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PDF icon CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7.pdf935.54 KB
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Approved For Release 2008/06/02 CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 State Dept. review completed OCI No. 0295/66 Copy No. ,Rd~JP,k Excfvdd fTOm utt~hat< dpwngrd~d~n and' c(eafossj#icdttan.' Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 ~, _ '' 25X1 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 SECRET C 0 N T E N T S (Information as of noon EDT, 23 June 1966) Far East VIETNAM The Ky government has declared the problem of the Bud- dhist "struggle" movement "solved," and several major allied operations along the Cambodian border appear to have delayed or disrupted an anticipated Communist sum- mer offensive. The government, in addition to preparing for election of a constituent assembly this September, faces a host of administrative and economic problems-- as well as the danger that relaxation of Buddhist op- position pressure will lead to a renewal of military infighting. Page SOUTH KOREA: MOVES AHEAD UNDER PAK CHONG-HUI The many accomplishments of President Pak's administra- tion--normalization of relations with Japan, the dis- patch of troops to Vietnam, reduction of inflation-- have engendered a new national pride and self-confidence. The-progress made, however, is adding new dimensions to old problems as well as creating new problems of its own. In Korean-US relations, for example, Korea's achievements are likely to be increasingly reflected in a growing independence and assertiveness on the Koreans' part. (Published separately as Special Report OCI No. 0295/66A) SECRET' Page i WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 SECRET WARSAW PACT FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING The conference which ended in Moscow last week evident- ly ran beyond schedule because of conflicting views on Warsaw Pact structure and European security, SECRET Page ii WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 SECRET EEC MAKES PROGRESS ON KENNEDY ROUND Last week's EEC Council decisions hold considerable promise that serious Kennedy Round bargaining can resume in September, but the EEC lacks negotiating flexibility and France's more accommodating attitude may not last. NEW CYPRUS CRISIS FLARES Turkey issued an ultimatum this week following a ban on the movement of Turkish Cypriots in Nicosia, but tension now has eased somewhat---with Makarios having again demonstrated his power. SECRET Page iii WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 SECRET RECONSTRUCTION CONTINUING IN GHANA Four months since Nkrumah was toppled, the moderate military regime is functioning reasonably effectively, but is under increasing pressure to return to popular rule. Western Hemisphere SPECULATION SURROUNDS FIDEL CASTRO'S LACK OF ACTIVITY The lack of conclusive supporting evidence has failed to still speculation in Havana for the last two weeks that Fidel Castro is either in political trouble or seriously ill. ,EG'RET' Page iv WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 25X1 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 SECRET Far East VI ETNAM The South Vietnamese Bud- dhists' capability for street agitation was nearly eliminated this week, as the Ky government completed its sweep of Hue, re- moved dissident leaders to Sai- gon, and sealed off the Buddhist Institute in the capital. Buddhist political assets in central Vietnam were further reduced by arrests of other ci- vilian officials and military per- sonnel involved in the "struggle" movement. In Saigon, the current policy split between militant and moderate Buddhist leaders has even cast some doubt on the future existence of the Buddhist Institute itself, while the gen- eral failure of agitation to gen- erate popular support there has revealed a relatively weak Bud- dhist position in the country's most strategic political center. Despite this state of af- fairs, however, it is rather doubtful that Buddhist political influence will stay at its cur- rent low level as long as lead- ers of the caliber of Tri Quang, Tam Chau, and Thien Minh remain active. Lingering resentment of the Saigon government in the north- ern towns and a general lack of positive support for the Ky gov- ernment may provide opportunities for future Buddhist maneuvering. After general declarations that the antigovernment problem had been "solved," Premier Ky and other government leaders turned their attentions to a cele- Page 1 bration of the government's first anniversary on 19 June, which was marked by a full-dress military parade, a major address by Ky, and the promulgation of the election law for a constitu- tional convention. According to the law, dele- gates will be elected on 11 Sep- tember only to draft a constitu- tion. The draft will be subject to modification by the govern- ment, although the convention in turn can overrule government changes by a two-thirds majority vote. Timetables for drafting, promulgating, and implementing the constitution will allow the Ky government to remain in power until at least mid-1967. Buoyed by its success in quelling the "struggle" movement, the government appears relatively unified at present, even though its decision to move forcefully against the dissidents emanated from a relatively small, hard- line faction in the armed forces. A relaxation of opposition pres- sure over a continuing period of time, however, could reopen splits between previously well- defined military cliques. Aside from potential in- fighting, the government faces a host of administrative and economic problems which have been highlighted during the past few months by a serious in- flationary trend. Devaluation and other reform measures put into effect this week to combat SECRET Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 SEGRE'T USA/ARVN OPERATION EL PASO II KIEN \ PHON HINH LONG VINH BINH Da Nang QIJANG NAM QUANG TIN LONGI KHANH BINH kTUY PHU BON airfield attacked SOUTH VIETNAM SECRET Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 SE CRE T inflation risk a possible loss of confidence by the business community. Initially, entrepreneurs appeared to adopt a "wait and see" attitude while studying the new regulations, and the full effects of the reforms are not yet clear. Southern Military Developments Several major allied spoiling operations along the South Vietnam/ Cambodia border appear to have de- layed or disrupted an anticipated Communist summer offensive in the central highlands and north of Sai- gon. Border surveillance operations in Pleiku and Kontum provinces are particularly indicative of the ef- fectiveness of the US/Vietnamese "preventive action" campaign. Since mid-May, these long-term ground sweeps have resulted in more than 1,000 Communist troops killed and may have disrupted the northeastward movement of a North Vietnamese (PAVN) division-level formation into South Vietnam's high plateau region. In addition, the 24th PAVN Regiment operating in Kontum Prov- ince is believed to have been put out of combat for at least the next two months. In Binh Long Province, Opera- tion EL PASO II has apparently forced regimental-strength Viet Cong/PAVN forces to postpone or at least to modify their plans for ma- jor action against the Loc Ninh Special Forces Camp during the ini- tial phase of the rainy season. In the coastal lowlands, allied operations have thwarted enemy op- erations against rice harvesting ac- tivities in the Tuy Hoa area of Phu Yen Province. These and other recent signifi- cant allied successes have forced the Communists to rely on hit-and- run attacks on isolated, lightly de- fended Vietnamese paramilitary po- sitions, and US/allied lines of com- munication and rear areas. The pattern of Communist ac- tivity suggests a strong disincli- nation for the present to mount sus- tained attacks or to engage in fixed battles. Only one battalion- aa.nd two company-sized attacks were make against Vietnamese Government regulars and paramilitary forces at widespread points of the country last week. Viet Cong units also launched damaging mortar and recoil- less rifle assaults against USMC positions near Da Nang and Chu Lai, and against a US airfield in the delta province of Ba Xuyen. On 19 June, US Coast Guard cut- ters thwarted the second major Com- munist maritime infiltration effort in five weeks off the coast of south- ern South Vietnam by intercepting a 125-foot steel-hulled trawler along the Vinh Binh Province coast. SECRET Page 3 WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied Iq Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 Europe WARSAW PACT FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING The Warsaw Pact foreign min- isters' conference which ended in Moscow last week evidently was drawn out beyond schedule because of conflicting views about the pact's structure and European se- curity. It appears that the Ru- manians, once again at odds with the Soviets, were successful in getting Moscow to modify its po- sition. The meeting ended with an an- nouncement that the pact's high- est ranking body--the Political Consultative Committee--will meet in Bucharest in early July. De- spite the difficulties encoun- tered in Moscow, therefore, the foreign ministers found enough common ground to proceed with the much-rumored bloc summit confer- ence. Rumania's foreign minister indicated on his return from Mos- cow that he was not at all dis- satisfied with the results of the meeting. The Main problem seems to have arisen from a Soviet attempt to introduce greater cohesion into the Warsaw Pact machinery. 25X1 The Moscow foreign ministers' meeting overlapped a meeting in East Germany of top defense offi- cials of the USSR, Poland, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia who presumably discussed defense ar- rangements of the pact's "Northern Tier." Moscow has probably been obliged to settle for something less than its desired objectives in the military as well as politi- SECRET SECRET Page 9 WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 25X1 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 I%VI SE CRE T EEC MAKES PROGRESS ON KENNEDY ROUND Last week's ESC Council deci- sions hold considerable promise that the bargaining stage of the Kennedy Round negotiations will be able to get under way in Geneva in September. Community officials are optimistic that other important decisions on farm prices will also be made in time to enable the EEC to com- plete its agricultural offers by fall. Satisfaction among the Six is tempered, however, by rec- ognition that they lack negotiat- ing flexibility and that France's more accommodating attitude may be temporary. products of considerable inter- est to the Scandinavian coun- tries--as "totally inadequate," and has even predicted that the Scandinavians might react by re- ducing their own bargaining lists "so massively as to amount to a pulling out of the Kennedy Round." The official also speculated, however, that the EEC might even- tually offer what would amount to a preferential trade deal in these products between Norway and the Six. By agreeing to the EEC Com- mission's proposal for an inter- national grains agreement, the French have permitted the EEC to take a negotiable position toward the US and other major grain exporters. The community in effect has conceded that grain importers should share with ex- porters the burden of food aid to less developed countries. However, the EEC proposal en- visages a high ratio (90 percent) of internal production to con- sumption, and the Six are not committed to automatic correc- tive measures when EEC produc- tion exceeds agreed limits. A West German concession will enable the Council to offer a 50-percent reduction of the EEC's tariff on paper pulp when the Kennedy Round talks resume. However, the positions to be taken on newsprint and aluminum are not very liberal. A Nor- wegian official has characterized these proposed EEC offers--on The ix remain is a US offer to consider revising its tariff valuation procedures, which have been a long-standing complaint of the Europeans and others. Although some community officials probably would prefer to take advantage of this offer, one Commission official opined that "protectionist elements" in the EEC would welcome an excuse to withdraw chemicals from the Kennedy Round entirely. According to a Dutch offi- cial, Foreign Minister Luns--af- ter the Netherlands assumes the Council chairmanship on 1 Ju'ly-- will "make full use of his of- fice" in getting EEC action on Kennedy Round decisions. Luns reportedly is willing to put is- sues to a vote if necessary, again raising the possibility of a confrontation with the French on this basic political issue. SE C.1%. Page 15 WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02: CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 NEW CYPRUS CRISIS FLARES Tension remains high in Cyprus following the most recent crisis between President Makarios' government and the Turkish Cyp- riots. The crisis atmosphere began to build up in early June when Makarios briefly imposed new restrictions on the movement of Turkish Cypriots in Nicosia. Makarios probably wished in part to show Athens and Ankara that he remained the dominant figure on the island and to convince them that no solution of the Cyp- rus problem could result from the coming Greek-Turkish dialogue without his concurrence. During the succeeding three weeks, incidents increased. There were scattered bombings, both the Greek and Turkish communities seized hostages, and the Greek Cypriots increased their har- assing tactics. A new con- frontation developed last week over Greek Cypriot efforts to build a road through an area dominated by the Turkish Cypriots. Military commander Grivas threat- ened to use force to eliminate new armed Turkish Cypriot posi- tions, but Athens advised re- straint. On 21 June, following a bomb explosion in the capital, Makarios reimposed a strict blockade on the Turkish Cypriot community in Nicosia which was to have lasted until the 24th. Almost immediately, Ankara issued a demarche demanding that he lift the ban within 24 hours or face unspecified "countermeasures." Greek intervention apparently resulted in the lifting of the ban soon after the Turkish- imposed deadline passed, but not before Makarios had demonstrated his ability to stand up to a Turkish ultimatum. Despite their threat of re- taliation the Turks gave no in- dication of preparing to take overt military action against the island. Their failure to act may have resulted from a lack of coordination between Turkish political and military leaders, who were probably some- what embarrassed by their general lack of unpreparedness to take immediate forceful action after having just completed major mil- itary exercises along the south- ern coast of Turkey. Most of the amphibious force had dis- persed to home stations and probably could not be reassembled in effective numbers on such short notice. Ankara may also have received assurances from Athens that it would press Makarios to lift the ban and keep the situation from getting out of hand. Out of the crisis Makarios has demonstrated more clearly than ever before his firm con- trol of the situation on Cyprus. 25X1 He apparently has failed, however, to drive a new wedge between Athens and Ankara. Page 17 SECRET WEEKLY SUMMARY 24 June 66 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 25X1 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 1WW SECRET RECONSTRUCTION CONTINUING I N GHANA Ghana's moderate military re- gime,?in power since the coup Which toppled Nkrumah last February, is functioning reasonably effec- tively and has retained broad popu- lar support. It is under increas- ing pressure from former opposition politicians, however, to speed a return to civilian rule. So far General Ankrah and the seven other army and police of- ficers of the ruling National Lib- eration Council (NLC) seem to be cooperating fairly well. Formal probes into official corruption un- der the old regime are continuing, but the NLC has shown itself anxious to stem vindictiveness against former Nkrumah supporters. In the face of strong disapproval from Nkrumah's old political foes, the new leaders have begun to re- lease from detention persons found not to be criminally liable for their past actions. Former foreign ministers Quaison-Sackey and Botsio were both recently freed. The struggle to rehabilitate Ghana's nearly bankrupt economy has led-to new cuts in spending in various areas and an initial group of nonpaying state enterprises is being transferred to private man- agement. The new regime has been notably successful in obtaining a $37-million stabilization credit from the International Monetary Fund and in winning at least a three-month respite on heavy for- eign debt payments. The new budget coming out next month will prob- ably include further austerity measures. Despite the NLC's continuing ban on political parties and ac- tivity, a good deal of politicking is going on, especially by former top opposition leader K. A. Busia, His public "lectures" around the country clearly have been designed to build grass-roots support for himself and bring pressure on the NLC to give former opposition poli- ticians a voice in the new govern- ment. Ankrah, in a recent speech, rebuked such activity, but at the same time announced formation of an advisory political committee and promised early establishment of a constitutional review commission --two of Busia's recommendations. Busia; who is included among the 18 prominent citizens tapped the the political committee, can be ex- pected to press his drive for a re- turn to civilian rule much sooner than the "two or three" years still cited by the NLC. Ghana's new rulers continue to suspect the USSR of helping Nkrumah to prepare a comeback at- tempt from his refuge in Guinea.25X1 For economic reasons, however, they have extended Soviet deliver- ies of crude oil Al- bania and North Vietnam have both closed their Accra embassies and the North Koreans apparently will depart soon. The East German trade mission is also gone--as is`Ghana's from East Berlin--amid hard feel- ings generated by a wrangle over an East German espionage expert detained by the NLC for almost three months SECRET Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927A005300080001-7 25X1 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 IWV SECRET SPECULATION SURROUNDS FIDEL CASTRO'S LACK OF ACTIVITY The lack of conclusive sup- porting evidence has failed to still speculation in Havana for the last two weeks that Fidel Castro is either in political trouble or seriously ill. Castro's uncharacteristic withdrawal from the center of po- litical activities and his lack- luster bearing during his last public appearance on 4 June have provoked the speculation. Presi- dent Dorticos' governmental role has obviously risen sharply in recent weeks. There is no indi- cation, however, that Castro's withdrawal from the limelight will be more than temporary. Castro has not delivered a public speech since 1 May, hav- ing missed several occasions on which he normally would have spoken. He appeared on the plat- form during President Dorticos' 4 June speech at a reservists' rally, and looked "tired, de- pressed, and dejected," accord- ing to observers. Some rumors hold that he has become physically or mentally in- capacitated. Others claim the Cuban Communist Party political bureau removed him from power on 7 June because of his alleged intention to send military forces against the US naval base at Guantanamo. There is no evidence to sub- stantiate the persistent rumors. Castro held a lengthy interview with the director general of UNF&(O on 13 June. LFNevertheless, Cuban press coverage of his activities has been notably scanty in the past two or three weeks, and it is highly unusual for him to be so :Little in the public eye for so :tong a period. It is also un- usual that neither Castro nor any other regime official has seen fit to rebut the rumors, as has happened in similar situa- tions in the past. In the absence of more sub- stantial information it is rea- sonable to assume that Castro may be temporarily ill or fa- tigued. This would explain his general withdrawal from activi- ties and his condition as de- 25X1 scribed on 4 June. It would also point to a return to his normal role upon recovery. SE CR.E' T Page 27 WEEKLY SUMMARY Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 25X1 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7 Approved For Release 2008/06/02 : CIA-RDP79-00927AO05300080001-7