DCI BRIEFING FOR 15 MAY NSC MEETING REACTIONS TO MAYAGUEZ INCIDENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R01142A002100010013-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 6, 2004
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: May 15, 1975
• Content Type: BRIEF

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15 May 19 75
DCI BRIEFING FOR
15 MAY NSC MEETING
I. Mr. President, we have no reactions from Commu-
nist authorities in Phnom Penh to the US mili-
tary operation beyond what we had last night.
In his statement on Phnom Penh radio at that
time, Information Minister Hu Nimm was notice-
ably defensive in rationalizing the seizure of
the vessel.
A. Although he did claim that the Mayaguez was
on an intelligence mission, he stated sev-
eral times that his government had no de-
sire to stage "provocations" and that the
Mayaguez had only been halted for "questioning."
International Reactions
II. In the aftermath of the US military operation,
the Thai cabinet today `pdecided to expel a "senior
member of the US mission," and to recall the Thai
ambassador in Washington for consultations.
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A. Thai newspapers today are also urging that
the government:
publicize all agreements between the US
and Thailand, and
immediately close down all US bases in
Thailand.
B. Leftist politicians are now holding a rally
in Bangkok. They reportedly intend to de-
mand that all US troops leave Thailand within
10 days.
1. The political left apparently believes
that the time is right to create a po-
litical crisis for the Khukrit government.
2. Organizers of the demonstration plan to
move crowds to both the prime minister's
office and the US embassy.
25X1
III. In Peking's first reaction to the US military ac-
tion, Vice Premier Li Hsien-nien has accused the
US of an "outright act of piracy."
A. Speaking at a banquet in Peking today, Li said
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that "when an American ship invaded Cam-
bodia's territorial waters, Cambodia took
legitimate measures against the ship to
safeguard her state sovereignty." Li added
that "the US went so far as to make an is-
sue of the matter" and bombed Cambodian ter-
ritory and ships.
B. Li said the American action "should be con-
demned by world public opinion."
IV. Hanoi radio has characterized the operation as a
"flagrant act of piracy" which shows that the US
still has not "learned from its defeats in Viet-
nam and Cambodia."
A. The new government in Saigon has not commented,
but it can be expected to parrot Hanoi's line.
V. Soviet media continue to report the events sur-
rounding the Mayaguez incident from foreign wire
services without editorial comment.
A. East European commentary remains muted. The
Yugoslav press has even referred to the Mayaguez
as a "kidnapped" US vessel.
B. The Cuban press has so far treated US actions
in a factual manner, but we have no comment since
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the US operation was completed.
VI. A Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman has stated
that "a container ship on open waters must not
be subject to seizure" and that his government
viewed the US military action as "limited."
VII. In most major Western countries there has been
little official reaction.
A. British and West German press comment has
adocrbeen generally supportive.
B. Press reaction from South Korea, Taiwan, and
Australia has been favorable.
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