INSURGENCY IN LAOS, SOUTH VIETNAM, AND IRAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00429A001100050041-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 26, 2006
• Sequence Number: 41
• Publication Date: June 25, 1963
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Ruse 2006/05/x44 ` '- l 12100429ASM 100050041-5
OCI No. 2121/63
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
25 June 1963
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Insurgency in Laos, South Vietnam, and
Iran
1. Laos
In south-central Laos, the Pathet Lao, have
continued pressure against neutralist units which
had previously withdrawn from Nhommarath, Mahaxay,
and Lak Sao. Complete Communist takeover of the re-
maining neutralist positions in this area appears
likely in the relatively near future. FAR forces
are increasingly concerned over a possible threat
to Thakhek,: but there have been no clear indications
of an imminent Communist move against the town. At
Attopeu, the situation appears to be temporarily
stabilized, although the Communists hold the in-
itiative and could renew the attack at any time.
After two weeks of relative calm in the Plaine des
Jarres, small-scale Pathet Lao action was renewed
on 22 June. However, weather may hamper activity
in this area.
2. South Vietnam
Although the number of Viet Cong attacks
has again declined, these attacks have included
some larger size actions, particularly in the Mekong
delta.
Despite the government's 16 June agreement
with the Buddhist leaders, the Buddhist issue re-
mains explosive. There are increasing signs that
the government contemplates some repressive measures,
and these could precipitate further agitation.
3. Iran
a. Fars Province - Iranian Army activity
in the area of tribal issidence around Shiraz has
become a mopping-up operation, with the last remaining
Approved For Release 2006/05/24 : T00429A001100050041-5
 Approved For Rel a 2006/05/24 8 00429A0O 00050041-5
band of insurgent tribesmen split up and in hiding.
A large part of the specially created task force
which has been engaged in anti-tribal activity -in
this area has either returned to unit stations or
has assembled for such movement. Probably somewhat
less than half of the original force of about 13,-
000 ground-force troops is still deployed in the
tribal area, and air strikes. against suspected tribal
targets have apparently ceased.
b, Kurdistan - Tehran has cooled toward
the Kurdish rebel cause in Iraq,. and this may have
repercussions in Iranian Kurdistan. It is not
likely that the government could, or would wish to,
prevent altogether assistance from reaching the
Iraqi Kurds from Iran, but it seems likely that
cross-border movement will be controlled at least
as well as during the 1961-62 period of fighting
in Iraq. The presence in Iranian Kurdistan of con-
siderable government military forces now increas-
ing their combat readiness as they enter summer
field training will be a deterrent to antigovern-
ment action there.
c, Religious Dissidence - Antigovernment
activity by the group that spar ed.the 5 June riot-
ing has recently been limited to attempts to dis-
tribute antiregime leaflets in a few centers of re-
ligious conservatism. Except for the brief period
of rioting in early June, the month-long period of
Shiite religious mourning has proceeded quietly,
but the reactionary mullahs are still in close and
frequent contact with their following. The next
prime occasion for religious fanaticism falls on
12 July, when some form of protest against the
Shah's liberal policies may take place.
25X1
Approved For Release 2006/05/2 I T00429AO01100050041-5