INSURGENCY IN LAOS, SOUTH VIETNAM, AND IRAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00429A001200010004-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 11, 2005
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: July 2, 1963
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No. 2200/63
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
2 July 1963
SUBJECT: Insurgency in Laos, South Vietnam, and Iran
a. The Communists continue their military
pressure against neutralist positions in south-
central Laos and against neutralist and rightist
positions on the Plaine des Jarres and north of
Vientiane in theVang Vieng area, but they have
made no significant advances in the past week.
Pathet Lao guerrillas have destroyed a large bridge
on Route 13 south of Savannakhet, interdicting
traffic to Pakse, and there are unconfirmed reports
that the Pathet Lao may be building up strength for
an attack on Attopeu.
b. Total North Vietnamese troop strength
in Laos has been re-estimated at 10 to 12 battalions
(a probable increase of about two battalions) and
some 3,000 advisers, for a total strength of about
8,000. In view of the North Vietnamese capability
for rapid and free movement across the border, actual
strength probably fluctuates considerably. Probably
of greater significance than total North Vietnamese
strength are reports that North Vietnamese troops
are in positions in the Plaine des Jarres area and
southern Laos to spearhead or at least back up
Pathet Lao attacks.
2. South Vietnam
The internal situation is increasingly
serious as a result of mounting Buddhist restiveness,
and further disturbances are likely in the near
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future. The Buddhist crisis has so far had little
appreciable effect on conduct of military operations
against the Viet Cong. Heavy Communist losses were
claimed by the government as a result of its actions
last week even though the number of Viet Cong
attacks rose sharply, indicating that the rainy
season has not yet affected the Communist capability
for periodic intensification of activity. Viet
Cong prisoners have furnished evidence of the
infiltration of 165 political agents from North
Vietnam In small groups since last fall, but frequent
reports of the infiltration of military units since
early September remain unconfirmed.
a. Fars Province - Tribal dissidence
appears to have ceased, The area of the March-May
fighting is still occupied and patrolled by govern-
c. Religious Dissidence - Leaflets
bitterly denouncing the ha. are being clandestinel
distributed in growing numbers.
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