THE SITUATION IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A000400010053-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2004
• Sequence Number: 53
• Publication Date: March 12, 1966
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No. 1112/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
12 March 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Situation in South Vietnam
(As of 12:00 A M... EST)
I here is
some public unrest continuing in I Corps over the dis-
missal of General Thi.
2. A brief, unconfirmed press report has stated
that students demonstrating against the removal of I
Corps commander General Thi today assumed control of
government radio stations in Hue and Hoi An the capitals
of Thua Thien and Quang Nam provinces, respectively.
3. A second US wire service report stated that an
estimated 2,000 soldiers, students, and adult Vietnamese
today staged an orderly demonstration in the city of Da
Nang demanding the reinstatement of General Thi.
4. Earlier official reports, indicating that a
second public meeting' of the "Civil and Military Struggle
Committee of I Corps" had been scheduled in Da Nang to-
day, tend to substantiate one second wire service
account. Observers at the first such demonstration yes-
terday in Da Nang estimated that there were approximately
1,500 in attendance,
5. There has been no change reported in the
political situation in Saigon during the past four hours.
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OCI No. 1115/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
12 March 1966
The Situation in South Vietnam
(As o Off
A .. M . ESZ __
1. A US Embassy summary of today's events in
I Corps, extending at least into the afternoon
hours Vietnam time, confirmed public protest activi-
ties today in Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi A
the ituation in I Corps as quiet in the afternoon
hours, but noted that further attempts at political
agitation could be expected in the area..
2. There was no confirmation or denial of the
seizure by students of radio stations in Hue or Hoi
An as carried in today's press. However, it was
noted that exaggerated rumors of the situation in
I Corps were circulating among members of the press
in Saigon.
3. According to the summary, the crowd attend-
ing this morning's protest meeting in Da Nang was
estimated at between 3,000 and 5,000, as compared to
an estimated gathering of 1,500 for the first meet-
ing held there yesterday. A successful school strike
was apparently held in Da Nang as well. Schools were
also reported closed in Hue, where some 500-1,000
students moved through the streets but without gen-
erating any other support among adult residents. A
smaller meeting for General Thi was also held in Hoi
.An; the size of the gathering was not available.
4. There were no developments in the Saigon
area (listed on the embassy's summary) today. As
reported earlier, General Thi may be escorted to
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Da Nang today, but this apparently is still tentative.
According to unconfirmed press reports, Buddhist
leaders meeting in Saigon today issued a statement
calling for the reinstatement of General Thi. No fur- 25X1
ther details are available.
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