THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM

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CIA-RDP79T00472A001800050004-4
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RIPPUB
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S
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28
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December 15, 2016
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March 22, 2004
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4
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Publication Date: 
November 24, 1965
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REPORT
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F . . r 25X1 Approved Fo&j~elease 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T004;ZA00180O65b044-4v) SECRET OCI No. 0647/65 Copy No. 110 WEEKLY REPORT THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM 24 November 1965 INTELLIGENCE AND REPORTING SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE INTERAGENCY VIETNAM COORDINATING COMMITTEE DIA AND DOS HAVE NO OBJECTION TO DECLASSIFICATION AND RELEASE. SECRET 25X1 DIA and DOS rev4 Q f9ytdir"ftk4ase 2004/07/08: CIA-RDP79T00472AO01800050flfl4 8000500D424 'g ?^d d ?? ` ?^ Approved Fore ease 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00471800050004-4 THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECT- ING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, USC, SECTIONS 793 AND 794, THE TRANSMIS- SION OR REVELATION OF WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472A001800050004-4 Approved F Release 2013E/ R - 79T004A001800050004-4 OCI No. 0647/65 Published by the Directorate of Intelligence Central Intelligence Agency THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM (18 November - 24 November 1965) C O N T E N T S Page THE WEEK IN PERSPECTIVE Map, South Vietnam, facing page I, THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM A. POLITICAL SITUATION Military Directorate begins Boa sideration of constitution and per- manent form of government (p. 1); Saigon student group in sharp attack on Ky government (p0 1); Government seizes militant Buddhist and Catholic publications (p. 2); Saigon press and o er groups manifest uneasiness over growing American presence (p. 3); Embassy survey notes increasing public anxiety over US-GVN military operations (p0 3); continues to be encouraging (p. 4); Role of present economic leaders apparently in doubt (p. 4); Other economic matters are noted (p. 5). 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Releasle 10- in -Qn 0 Approved Fo.lease 200414&4jC1,PF-RDW79T0047001800050004-4 _'d" 13 Ll 25X1 Communist activity increases but allied forces inflict significant defeats (p. 6); Weekly statistics show several new highs (p. 6); SIL- VER BAYONET achieves greatest allied success (p. 6); Action west of Plei Me inflicts heavy casualties on three or four PAVN regiments (p. 7); Other action in I CTZ (p. 8); GVN surrounds VC battalion in IV CTZ (p. 9); Series of Communist multibattalion attacks along the eastern coast causes heavy government losses (p. 9); Road and rail line interdiction is outlined (p. 10). Page 6 Map, Transportation Routes, facing page 10 Rural Construction Minister Thang concludes series of budget meetings (p. 11); Premier Ky presents land titles to representative group of farmers (p. 11); Other aspects of GVN land policy (p. 11); Chieu Hoi returnees show substantial increase, especially military (p. 11). Map, North Vietnam, facing page 13 Hanoi continues red carpet treatment for visiting VC "heroes" (b. 13) maintains "reasonable" posture by host- ing non-Communist delegations (p. 14); Moscow continues policy of restraint toward both US and China. (p. 14). 25X1 Approved For Release 200J R 79T00472A001800050004-4 Approved Fcelease 200415 R . jq7bT004Z2001800050004-4 25X1 Page III. THIRD COUNTRY DEVELOPMENTS 15 PAVN prisoner claims use of Cambodia infiltrate South Vietnam . 15 Phnom Penh, however, feel no signs s- cant use is being made of Cambodian territory by Viet Cong (p. 15) tion of ambassador on may ore- shadow GVN diplomatic reshuffle in Europe (p. 16). ANNEX: South Vietnam Battle Statistics (Weekly) US Combat Casualty Figures in Vietnam (Weekly) (The Weekly Report on the Situation in South Vietnam is based on contributions from CIA, DIA, and INR; it is edited and published by CIA without final coordination.) 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2A001800050004-4 ST, ,RET Approved For elease 20,qE@R Kam''- fVP79TOOAZ2AO01800050004-4 25X1 THE WEEK IN PERSPECTIVE A marked increase in the intensity of the fighting, in- cluding a number of large-scale Viet Cong attacks in scattered areas of the country, made last week the bloodiest of the war to date. Many of the casualties resulted from the heavy fighting between US troops and an estimated three to four North Vietnamese regiments in southwestern Pleiku Province, but heavy Viet Cong activity elsewhere indicated a determined effort to maintain pressure on the population. The political situation was disturbed only by a strong public statement of opposition to the Ky government on the part of the small Saigon Students Union, although there were further indications of growing political ambitions on the part of I Corps commander General Thi. The Ky government, meanwhile, appears to be turning its attention toward long- range development of. political institutions intended to satisfy public desires for a more representative and legally-based government. 25X1 Approved For Rel Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472800050004-4 Warin Chamrap Stung pi-g :aVi~kmT, Phan Thet Approved For Release 2004/07/08: CIA-RDP79T00472A - Approved For . elrasP ?&& ? - ,-TnP7ATn I. THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM A. POLITICAL SITUATION 1. Saigon's military government last week turned its attention to the problems of establishing long- range political institutions and government legitimacy, an iss press and political atten- tion.. 1 2. According to Premier Ky, current government thinking envisages that the constitution, providing for a strong executive with a fixed tenure, might hope- fully be submitted to a public referendum sometime be- fore the end of 1966. Some type of deliberative body or senate, in which the various religious, regional, ethnic, political, and labor groups would be represented, is also under consideration. Ky told Ambassador Lodge that some form of popular elections might be possible during 1967, depending upon the evolution of public political consciousness and the degree of security pre- vailing at that time. Ky observed that, at the present time, elections free of Communist intimidation could probably be held in no more than one-fourth of South Vietnam's villages. 3. On 19 November, leaders of the Saigon Students Union (SSU) launched an unusually sharp public attack on the Ky government, charging that it had failed in its programs to date and that it lacked public support. SSU President Tran Quang Tr:i, acting as the group.'s spokesman, declared that the Ky government must go, and that the meeting marked the opening of a struggle between students and government. He also spoke crit- ically of the adverse economic effects of the US mil- itary buildup. Although the meeting was allegedly sponsored by the SSU and Hue University students, no representatives from Hue were present; a spokesman from Catholic-oriented Dalat University, however, en- dorsed the SSU stand. The US Embassy believes that Tri and the SSU have only limited influence among Saigon University students. It suspects, however, Approved For Release 200 9T00472A001800050004-4 Approved For.2elease 200l*9T0047,W01800050004-4 25X1 that Tri, who in the past has supported former premier Tran Van Huong, may have been prodded by certain south- ern regionalist politicians, as well as by disaffected Catholic circles that have been publicly silent since issuing a critical communique two weeks ago. 4. The embassy also reports that during the week the government confiscated issues of the anti-American, neutralist-leaning journal Sinh Vien Hue, published weekly by the militant Buddhist-oriented "student strug- gle movement" in Hue. At the same time and apparently in an effort to strike a balance, the government also seized issues of an aggressive Saigon weekly, Dai Doan Ket, an organ of Catholic refugee priest Hoang uyn 25X1 6. Although the silencing of Sinh Vien Hue, if permanent, would remove the most bi er source of at- tacks on the US except for Viet Cong/Liberation Front 25X1 Approved For Rele 472AO01800050004-4 '*0 E Approved For ele propaganda, indications of uneasiness over the growing American role are manifest among all shades of the Saigon press and other articulate groups. In addition to the recent SSU criticism of economic disruption resulting from the large American presence, 7. A recent survey by the US Embassy's provincial reporting staff has concluded that there is increasing public anxiety over the conduct of US and South Viet- namese military operations. The survey, although neces- sarily drawing largely on attitudes in provincial and district towns and adjacent areas, notes that expressions of concern are still largely restricted to a small circle of politically conscious intellectual, religious, and social leaders. There appears to be widespread ap- preciation, particularly among local officialdom, of US efforts to spare the civilian populace, although some officials report considerable confusion among local inhabitants over rapidly changing developments, and others fear a serious disruption of the existing social fabric. Although peasant attitudes could not be firmly assessed, the embassy reporters were unable to discover any basis for assuming that rural refugees-- many of them fleeing airstrikes or the threat of air- strikes--were blaming the Viet Cong for their plight or otherwise becoming more committed to the Saigon regime. The US Embassy concludes that while no ground- swell of antipathy toward the US or Saigon can be de- tec:tedas a result of the intensified military pace, the Viet Cong may be expected to exploit any critical 25X6 public mood. 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2004 - 9T00472AO01800050004-4 Approved For Valease 200jgBC 'T9T00472U01800050004-4 Economic Situation 9. Rice prices continued to decline, but general retail prices leveled off after a two-week downward trend. However, there was a rise in prices of US- financed imports, notably construction materials of iron and steel. In view of the increasingly short supply of cement in Saigon, Minister of Economy Ton, at the insistence of Saigon's mayor, has approached US officials to see what can be done. 10. The future role of Ton and the other economic leaders in the GVN is apparently in some doubt, ac- cording to US Embassy reports. This is due to their lack of forceful leadership in formulating policy and in making a strong case to premier Ky, as well as to intense attacks from "out" political groups, Ky and his close military advisers do not generally comprehend the economic situation or its possible remedies. Even if he were to be educated to accept the policies of Ton and the others, Ky may feel obliged to remove the economic minister in response to political pressure. 11. The rice situation continues to be encouraging. Delta deliveries in the past two weeks have averaged 1,243 metric tons (mt) daily, up from 1,011 mt in Oc- tober. Saigon stocks are now at 40,211 mt, with other known stocks totalling over 31,000 mt. It is generally believed, however, that the early delta crop is poor and that the continuing inflow of rice to Saigon prob- ably represents "dishoarding" of last year's main crop. In the meantime, the Ministry of Economy has announced that rice prices set for government purchase contracts would be maintained throughout the year. Asked to suggest contract prices, rice merchants have mentioned VN$675-700 per 100 kilogram for No 1/25 per- cent broken. It is apparent that this suggestion re- flects the continuing decline in rice prices, which have been under VN$700 for over a month. This optimistic Approved For Rel 472A001800050004-4 UVIV Approved Forglea 7p01800050004-4 situation is dimmed somewhat by increased military activity in rice areas, boding ill for production and harvesting in the central provinces. The entrance of PAVN units is also adding to the Viet Cong impact on rice production. 12. :In an effort to control the flow of dollars into Viet Cong hands, stricter measures are being en- forced concerning the purchase of postal money orders and the importation of dollars by US military personnel returning from rest and recreation leaves. Vietnamese officials are also taking steps to increase currency control for other foreigners entering the country. 13. The Vietnamese Maritime Union strike ended after two weeks as several hundred workers were granted an across-the-board 1,500-piaster monthly increase. 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 20 .R179T00472A001800050004-4 Approved For.$elease 2004)99T0047Z&001800050004-4 25X1 1. Communist activity increased again during the week, but allied forces inflicted significant defeats upon Viet Cong/PAVN units. The major US-PAVN confron- tation in southwest Pleiku Province highlighted the period; a subsequent series of large-scale Viet Cong/ PAVN attacks occurred along the eastern coast near the Quang Ngai, Qui Nhon, and Tuy Hoa enclaves. The Viet Cong appear determined to maintain pressure on the population while increasing military activity. 2. Statistically, the period from 14 to 20 No- vember showed several increases. The incident total was 881, the highest since the record 975 in mid- September; incident totals have now been above 700 for seven consecutive weeks. Attacks increased to 14 against seven for the previous week, terrorist acts rose to 505 compared to 420, and sabotage in- cidents climbed to 146 from 90. Communist weapons losses reached an all-time high of 1,161 from the previous week's 343, and known casualties also reached a record peak of 2,398, including 2,262 killed and 136 captured. Allied totals also increased: com- bined casualties were at a new high of 1,987, in- cluding 1,270 GVN, 716 US, and one ROK; weapons losses rose to 351 from 158. 3. The number of GVN/allied large-unit actions showed a drop from 100 to 93, and small-unit actions also decreased; resulting US contacts outnumbered GVN contacts (100 versus 67) for the fifth consecutive week. US combat deaths increased to 240 from the previous week's high of 86, and US wounded also reached a new record figure, 470, compared to 230 last week. The previous weekly record was 283 during August. GVN armed forces casualty totals--357 killed, 807 wounded, and 106 missing or captured--also in- creased, from 165, 286, and 56, respectively. GVN/Allied Activities 4. Allied forces achieved their greatest suc- cess of the war during Operation SILVER BAYONET in southwest Pleiku Province. In addition to the seizure of key terrain features from which opera- tions can be continued into the Chu Phong base area, 25X1 Approved For Releas Approved For ,pleas casualty totals as of 20 November show a major allied victory over North Vietnamese forces. Confirmed PAVN/ VC losses were 1,429 killed and 20 captured; US casualties were 215 killed and 358 wounded; GVN elements lost seven killed and 50 wounded. 5. Artillery, naval gunfire, close air and B-52 strikes, and helicopter support all proved invaluable throughout the week. SILVER BAYONET was supported by 17,241 rounds of 105 mm artillery, 354 close air sup- port sorties, ten B-52 strikes, and 3,745 helicopter- fired aerial. rockets. US naval gunfire and airstrikes were effective during the series of enemy multibattalion attacks that began on 21 November in the eastern coastal area. 6. No significant naval developments were reported during the week. A total of 4,920 junks and 17,921 persons were searched by Vietnamese Navy elements and no sea infiltration attempts were disclosed. Contin- uing bad weather in the northern area is affecting sea force performance, but this is partially offset by the steady showing of coastal force elements. The number of junks on patrol, averaging 202 per day, is indicative of the steady improvement. Communist Activities 7. Communist military activity was highlighted by the week-long action west of Plei Me in Pleiku Province, triggered on 14 November when PAVN/VC ele- ments attacked a company of the US 1st Cavalry Di- vision in a helicopter landing zone. From this be- ginning, the action developed into a full-scale battle between at least three and possibly four PAVN regiments and elements of the 2d and 3d bri- gades, 1st Cavalry Division. Four GVN airborne battalions entered the action on 18 November. 8. Heavy casualties were suffered by the Viet Cong in other significant actions with government forces at Tan Hiep airfield in Dinh Tuong Province, at Hiep Duc district headquarters in Quang Tin Province, and in Chuong Thien Province where an. estimated Viet Cong battalion was surrounded. 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 20 79T00472A001800050004-4 Approved For# lease 2004/,qI@(PR-JgPPT0047 A01800050004-4 9. The Viet Cong attack at Hiep Duc on 16 No- vember was the most significant action in the I Corps Tactical Zone (CTZ). An estimated battalion of the 1st Viet Cong Regiment overran the town and destroyed the headquarters defended by two regional force com- panies, A two-battalion reaction force aided by close air support, however, reoccupied the battle site on 18 November at an enemy cost of 363 killed and 86 weapons captured. Government losses were 35 killed and 74 wounded. Seventy civilians were also killed, 40 as a result of the first Viet Cong assault. Other activity consisted of minings and harassing fire, the particularly against GVN forces in the Ba Long Valley. 10. The week-long series of PAVN attacks and counterattacks in the battle area southwest of Plei Me in Pleiku Province, continued despite severe casualties, pointed up a determined Communist effort to defend this location. Elements of the PAVN 66th, Song Lam, and 32d regiments, and possibIv the 250th as well, were engaged in the fighting. indicates that a Viet Cong local force battalion was attached to the 66th Regiment. Ac- cording to COMUSMACV, Communist strategy in this area probably involves a continuing aggressive de- fense until their position becomes untenable. At this point, Communist forces would be expected to move into Cambodia or adjacent areas within South Vietnam. Small-unit actions accounted for the re- maining activity in II Corps Tactical Zone. 11. An estimated Viet Cong battalion attacked a GVN Marine company five kilometers south of Saigon on the outskirts of Cholon, the largest action so close to Saigon in some time. Other activity con- sisted of harassing fire directed primarily at allied troop units. Sabotage was concentrated along Route 13 and its feeder routes, and was probably designed to impede friendly forces operating in Binh Duong Province. 12, ( >. 1 ? 1% 1 ii captured on 16 November when six battalions of the GVN 21st Division surrounded an estimated Viet Cong battalion. Again, effective artillery and close 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Releasd 2A001800050004-4 5.1-1 CRET Approved F9Release 206 J 79TO0A001800050004-4 .fflL air support were credited with inflicting heavy casualties. GVN casualties were reported as eight killed and 39 wounded. There were four other small- scale attacks throughout the IV CTZ. 13. On 18 November, a multibattalion Viet Cong force overran an airstrip defended by a GVN Ranger battalion at Tan Hiep in Dinh Tuong Province, IV CTZ. A GVN counterattack restored the airstrip to friendly hands, but not before government forces suffered 46 killed, including 13 civilians, 55 wounded, and four aircraft and five trucks destroyed. Viet Cong losses at the airfield were 43 killed and two captured. An immediate search-and-destroy operation was launched by elements of the GVN 7th Division along the most likely Viet Cong avenue of withdrawal. A day-long pursuit, supported by artillery and air strikes, re- sulted in an additional 156 Viet Cong killed and five captured. GVN forces lost 11 killed and 53 wounded. 14. A series of Communist multibattalion attacks along the eastern coast began on 21 November, as op- erations elsewhere in this area by government and US forces continued without significant contact. A regi- ment-sized Viet Cong force attacked a GVN Ranger battalion south of Quang Ngai city on 22 November, but was driven off by US naval gun fire and air strikes after sustaining heavy losses. According to a MACV source, Viet Cong attacks were timed between air strikes. 15. A Communist regiment-sized force reportedly isolated Tuy An in Phu Yen Province on 23 November. This action began the previous night when an esti- mated battalion--reported as Viet Cong but possibly North Vietnamese--attacked a company of government troops guarding a bridge 15 miles north of Tuy Hoa. The Communist force, described by a US observer as wearing North Vietnamese-type long-sleeved khaki shirts and camouflaged helmets,,next ambushed an armored relief column, and then moved south to at- tack the district town. At least five government positions were neutralized and friendly losses reportedly heavy, despite effective use of US naval gunfire and air strikes. 25X1 Approved For Releas 2A001800050004-4 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472A'1800050004-4 CURRENT STATUS OF MAJOR TRANSPORTATION ROUTES AND THE COASTAL RAILROAD r--i--f Sections of operable railroad Sections of closed road SECRET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472A001800050004-4 Approved Fctelease 20010.&C-679T004i4001800050004-4 25X1 16. National Route 1 is closed in Thua Thien, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Long Khanh, and Binh Tuy provinces. Route 9 is closed in Quang Tri Province. Route 14 is closed in Kontum, Pleiku, Quang Due, Phuoc Long, and Binh Long provinces. Route 19 is closed west of Pleiku city. Route 7 is closed in Phu Bon and Phu Yen provinces. Inter- provincial Route 1 is closed in Binh Duong and Phuoc Long provinces. Interprovincial Route 2 is closed in Long Khanh Province. Provincial Route 10 is closed in Hau Nghia Province. The national railroad is closed from Xuan Loc, Long Khanh Prov- ince to Song Long Song, Binh Tuy Province; and be- tween Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province, and the DMZ. 25X1 Approved For Release Approved For' lease 2004 >.0 r'9T0047;i, W01800050004-4 25X1 C. RURAL CONSTRUCTION 1. The scheduled series of meetings between Rural Construction Minister General Nguyen Duc Thang, corps and division commanders, and province chiefs concerning the preparation of FY 1966 pro- vincial rural construction plans and budgets was completed last week, General Thang, apparently highly satisfied with these meetings, is now confi- dent that the approved plans and budgets for rural construction activities will be ready by the 1 Jan- uary deadline. USOM officials still, have some com- plex questions regarding the reconstruction plans for the coming year, but they feel that any attempt to make major revisions in policy or plans at this stage would make it impossible to meet the target date of 1 January. 2. On 17 November, Premier Ky presented land titles to.a representative group of ten farmers oc- cupying state lands in Tay Ninh Province. Land has been surveyed and titles prepared for a total of 172 farmers now occupying 56 hectares in Tay Ninh Prov- ince. This action follows a ceremony at Dalat in Tuyen Duc Province in September, which inaugurated the implementation of the government's policy of dis- tributing state lands to the actual tillers. The GVN estimates that there are a total of 180,000 squatters occupying 300,000 hectares of state land throughout the country, 3. Other aspects of the GVN land policy in- elude granting of full titles to farmers buying land under Ordinance 57, which reduced landlord holdings to a maximum of 100 hectares by expropria- tion, and the subdivision and sale of former French- owned rice lands now held by the GVN. About a month ago, distribution of former French-owned lands was initiated in Ninh Thuan Province with a ceremonial presentation by Chief of State Thieu. No new titles have been issued under this program, but some farmers have provisional titles to their land and the period of payment has been extended from six to 12 years, 4. A substantial increase in the number of Chieu Hoi returnees was reported during the past week. A total of 1,027 returned to government control, more 25X1 Approved For Releasle ~., A001800050004-4 Approved Fpr?Release 200? RPBqY79T00 A001800050004-4 25X1 than double the previous week's total of 438. Mili- tary returnees constituted the largest single cate- gory with 493 returning to government control; last week military returnees totalled 217. Political cadres who rallied to the government ; side numbered 115 this week, compared to only 43 the previous week. Six men in the deserter/draft dodger category returned to GVN control as well as 413 civilians; for the previous week, returnees in these categories numbered one and 177, respectively, 5, The US Embassy is interested in having the GVN combine the psychological warfare and Chieu Hoi functions into one ministry. The subject has been broached to Premier Ky and he seems to approve of the concept. Approved For Release 25X1 SE GRL~1 tak Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T004721800050004-4 Ko-chiu - 'n ---~ f ~ong?~Van-` C H I N A V/, Ha Giang ?-?f Lao Cal Lai Chau f Ph,ong Sal, ~? 'Dien Bien Phu . Son La Bao Lac,".- Cao Bang`, r-' Ching.hsi Tuyen Quang, . Yen Bai Phu Tho -Phut Yen. Son Tay ? Ha Dong? Hoa Binh .% ?Kep ?Bac Giang Bac Ninh Ning-ming HANOI 'Quang Ypn' Hai Duong ?Halphong Hung Yen Kien An a ? Phu Ly . Nam Dinh ? .Thai Binh Xieng Khouang ? ? Ban Chieng \ ? Cua Boa Phu Qu, ? VIENTIAN /.~ Nong Khai T H A I L A N D Linh Cam Muang Nakhon Phanom ?Khammouane Muang Sakon Nakhon? NORTH VIETNAM 0 25 50 75 K~Ioo i - \a'? ~'".ULMARCATION LINE Dong Ha BpH. Su ? Sepone ` ?Quang Tri SOUTH x_ Hued VIETNAM` Muang Nong^? LAOS `-. 1 -?Saravane Dong Hoi Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472AO01800050004-4 Approved Fcelease 200R79T0044001800050004-4 25X1 25X1 2. To underscore the "militant bonds" that exist between the people in both zones of Vietnam, Hanoi this week continued to give red carpet treatment and extensive propaganda play to the delegation of "mil- itary heroes" of the Liberation Front currently in the DRV. The delegation was feted at one ceremony after another, and was greeted by senior politburo figures including Ho Chi Minh. The extensive publicity surrounding the delegation's visit and the emphasis in regime propaganda on the solidarity that exists among all Vietnamese in their determination to defeat the "US aggressors," suggests that Hanoi is using the visit to demonstrate publicly its faith in the fighting ability of the Viet Cong and to strengthen the insurgents' de- termination to continue the war. 25X1 Approved For Rele - 0472A001800050004-4 Approved For,Release 200 YRi!'79T004Z2A001800050004-4 25X1 4. While the North Vietnamese have continued to insist that any settlement of the war will be achieved on Communist terms, Hanoi has been careful to maintain a position in which the DRV can still appear reasonable in its demands. An example of this has been the regime's frequent willingness to host non-Communist delegations that come to Hanoi to discuss the fighting. The latest instance is the visit of the former mayor of Florence, Italy, Georgio La Pira, who has just returned from talks with the North Vietnamese leadership. Hanoi probably told him, as it has others in the past, that the US must stop the bombings in the North and declare a unilateral ceasefire in the South. 5. Moscow's statements in recent weeks have not gone beyond standard condemnations of US actions in Vietnam, and continue to avoid any mention of a negoti- ated settlement of the war. The Soviet stance reflects the USSR's apparent resignation to what it anticipates will be a prolonged struggle in Vietnam, and under- scores its continuing determination to avoid an open divergence from Hanoi's stand. 6. Although the USSR also continues its policy of restraint in answering Chinese attacks against Soviet policy in Vietnam, it has apparently decided to reply-- indirectly--to Peking's 11 November indictment of US- Soviet collusion over Vietnam. A 20 November Neues Deutschland article, openly critical of Peking's anti- Soviet tactics with regard to the Vietnamese conflict, is aimed at convincing Communist audiences that Peking's intransigence toward the Soviet Union is having broad consequences for Hanoi's position in the war. TASS promptly replayed the portions of the article that cited Chinese obstruction of Soviet military aid to the DRV as evidence that Peking is "putting ideological dif- ferences above the struggle against imperialism." 25X1 Approved For Releas - 72AO01800050004-4 ,~OEURE I' Approved F crRelease 200fUER1 W79T004 A001800050004-4 III. THIRD COUNTRY DEVELOPMENTS A. CAMBODIA 1. A PAVN prisoner recently stated during a GVN-sponsored press conference in Saigon that his group had infiltrated South Vietnam through Cambodia, and that local militia provided the group with sup- plies, particularly rice. A preliminary interrogation report, so far the only report on this development from the US Mission, briefly mentions that the prisoner entered through Cambodia but contains no in- dication of local assistance. Moreover, American newsmen who attended the press conference have con- fidentially reported that the prisoner's statements did not sound convincing. report that on of available evidence ere is no significant Viet Cong use of Cambodian territory. Moreover, they feel that no significant use of Cambodian territory could be made by the Viet Cong without the connivance of the government in Phnom Penh, and they see no evi- dence that the Cambodian Government is considering such connivance. On the contrary, they report, trends in the Cambodian leadership appear to be away from close association with the Communists and toward im- ,rr i r7 rnl nti nng with free world nations. (The 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Rele 72A001800050004-4 Approved FQ,&Release 20048B '' V9T004 2A001800050004-4 25X1 25X1 C. Foreign Office Matters Vu Van Mau, GVN Ambassador to London, resigned as a result of a disagreement with the Foreign Office. The point at issue ostensibly was whether or not the GVN would pay for Mau's travel to Saigon to permit him to participate in the annual examination of can- didates by the law faculty of the University of Saigon. (Mau was once dean of the law faculty.) The US Embassy in Saigon reports that in view of earlier reports that the GVN was considering replacing Mau, the Ky govern- ment may have seized on the travel request as a pre- text for forcing his resignation. There is no indi- cation as yet of a replacement for Mau, but the GVN reportedly is considering a realignment of the non- resident ambassadorial representation in northern and western Europe, primarily in order to strengthen representation in the Scandinavian countries. 25X1 Approved For Releas - A001800050004-4 Approved Fq Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T004 2A001800050004-4 SOUTH VIETNAM BATTLE STATISTICS, 1965 SECRET WEEKLY REPORT in nine 12398 - -11 Wounded not included Such figures unavailable on Viet Cong. WEAPONS LOSSES Jan I Feb I Mar I Apr I May I Junel July I Aug I Sept I Oct I Nov I Dec I Jan ; Febl 'Mar l Apr I May I June I July Aug I Sept I Oct I Nov I Dec I Jan Feb I Mar 1 Apr I May I June I July I Aug I Sept I Oct I Nov I Dec I Attacks Terrorism Sabotage ;.Propaganda \ Antiaircraft Fire SECRET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472AO01800050004-4 t Approved Fq ,Release 2004/07/08: CIA-RDP79T00442AO01800050004-4 US COMBAT CASUALTIES IN VIETNAM INCLUDING NORTH VIETNAM Non- fat al _ -- Non- fatal Wound s Fataliti es Wound s _ l Cumulative, 1961. 1964 255 1524 _ Fata ities Cumulative, 1965 to date 840 4137 Total 1095 5661 (Figures do not include 96 carried as missing or 27carried as captured.) 1 95 T R 1 N V M E II II It II ~ I I I \ I I I \I I I I I - ' ` I I r 10 rr 1 ~~ i \ i y 1 ~ \ VIET CONG ATTACKS NOV I DEC Company and battalion sized attacks Battalion sized (and larger)attacks only 2 T R 2 NOVEM E JAN I FEB I MAR 40892 SECRET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472AO01800050004-4 Approved For P*p ease 2004/07/08: CIA-RDP79T00472UO1800050004-4 SECRET 25X1 SECRET Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP79T00472AO01800050004-4