INSURGENCY IN SOUTH VIETNAM AND LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00429A001200020008-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 20, 2003
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: August 13, 1963
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No, 2602/63
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
13 August 1963
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT- ; x >,urge .c in South Vietnam and Laos
1. South Vietnam
a o Viet Cong attacks declined in early Au-
gust as compared with the rate in the latter part of
July. In addition to the usual targets of strategic
hamlets and Civil Guard/Self Defense Corps outposts,
it has been noted that members of the Civilian Ir-
regular Defense Group--the armed local militias which
receive some US training, particularly as strategic
hamlet guards--have been increasingly targets of at-
tack. This suggests that the Viet Cong are concerned
over the increasing effectiveness of this group, and
there is some evidence that the Communists may rein-
force their units in areas near the militia training
camps.
b. A recent study by USMACV shows that there
was a significant drop in Viet Cong activity, includ-
ing attacks, during the first six months of 1963 as
compared with the same period in,1962. During the
same period there was also a reduction in.the number
of larger size Viet Cong attacks. This decline prob-
ably reflects both the increased effectiveness of
government military operations and a growing tend-
ency of the Viet Cong to conserve their larger units
rather than risk them in current operations.
co There is further evidence regarding the
Viet Cong effort to build up support elements for
its skeletal regimental structures, four of which
have been identified, There is still little evidence
that the Viet Cong have made substantial progress in
developing or equipping regimental structures beyond
the stage reached in 1962.
JCS review(s)
completed.
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d. Reports of coup plotting have abated
since late July, but a rash of Buddhist suicides--
apparently without sanction of the Buddhist leader-
ship=-and inflammatory statements by Diem's sister-
in-law Madame Nhu have kept the situation tense,
and an early settlement of the issue continues doubt-
ful.
2. Laos
a. Heavy rains in Laos have hampered move-
ments by the.opposing forces; recent actions have
been limited to sporadic skirmishes and artillery
exchanges. In south Laos (4th Military Region), FAR
forces are planning mop-up campaigns against pockets
of Pathet Lao near the Mekong. Limited initial ef-
forts have produced few results so fare
b. Meo operations to harass Route 7 were
stepped up during the past week. The major Meo ac-
tivity occurred to the east and west of Ban Ban,
These actions, coupled with bad weather, should have
the effect of reducing the Pathet Lao's capability
in the Plaine des Jarres area, at least temporarily.
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