PRESSURE INCREASING ON PHAN RANG

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00865A002500380001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 17, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: MEMO

Approv
Pressure Increasing on Phan Rang
3. Phan Rang City was hit by scattered Communist
long-range artillery fire on April 14. North Vietnamese
tanks have been spotted 12 miles north of the city and
these vehicles may be moving to join Communist infantry
troops assembling for attacks on the western approaches
to the city. All South Vietnamese units and commanders are
reported to be reacting well to the situation and air
strikes are being targeted against the Communist artillery
positions.
4. General Toan, the Military Region 3 commander who
now has the responsibility for both Phan Rang and Phan
Thiet, is unhappy with Saigon's order to withdraw the 2nd
Airborne Brigade from Phan Rang. Some senior regional offi-
cials have compared this decision to the withdrawal of the
Airborne Division from MR-1 which led to the collapse of
government forces there. Toan feels that without the air-
borne, Phan Rang cannot be held against the strong Communist
attacks which now appear to be shaping up. The city's major
importance to the government is the airbase from which air-
strikes are being launched against Communist forces in Mili-
tary Region 3.
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Tay Ninh Shelled
5. Meanwhile, to the northwest of Saigon, the Communists
on April 14 lobbed 50 or so rounds of rocket and artillery
fire into Tay Ninh City damaging a hospital and destroying an
ammunition bunker. Only one regiment of the South Vietnamese
25th Division remains in Tay Ninh City -- the remainder has
been deployed into southern Tay Ninh Province in anticipation
of a Communist effort to cut the roads linking Tay Ninh with
Saigon.
Government Successes in the Delta
6. All of Route 4 is now open to traffic. Although many
of the South Vietnamese forces around Can Tho have been pri-
marily in a defensive posture, they have protected the populated
areas and important roads and have inflicted heavy casualties
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on the enemy. This government success has raised the morale
of all ranks in much of the region.
7. In addition to reopening Route 4 just north of Can
Tho, seven South Vietnamese infantry and armor battalions
swept into Communist-held areas of Vinh Long Province, driv-
ing enemy forces away from artillery positions used to shell
Can Tho. Regional officials now feel the North Vietnamese 25X1
4th Division has lost much of its capability to threaten 25X1
Can Tho City.
8. It now appears that the government has won the open-
ing round in the delta. Its units have not only stood and
fought, withstood enemy attacks, but have also driven attack-
ing Communist forces back from positions threatening populated
areas and major highways.
Attacks on Saigon
9. Recent reporting continues to refer to Communist plans
to carry out attacks inside Saigon in the near future. While
the Communists clearly have the capability of infiltrating
small units, such as sappers, into the capital area, there
are as yet no indications of Communist main force units mov- 25X1
ing into position for direct attacks on Saigon itself,
11. Most Communist units are now deployed along the
southern, western, and eastern..approaches,_to the..capital
Moreover., in the fighting. at X.uan Loc.,.government. units so
far have acquitted themselves well and inflicted heavy losses
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on the Communists.
The Political Situation
12. President Thieu formally accepted the new govern-
ment of Nguyen Ba Can today in swearing-in ceremonies at
the presidential palace. In his acceptance speech, Thieu
told his audience that he fully intended to stay on as pres-
ident and that he did not view his new ministers as compris-
ing '"a transitional government." He reiterated his earlier
offer of negotiations with the Communists under the Paris
Accords but emphasized that Saigon will never "ask for sur-
render."
13. He also included an appeal for additional US assist-
ance, stating that so long as the South Vietnamese fight for
their freedom, the US has "the obligation of a big ally to
help us to the end." In a direct appeal to the US Congress,
he said that only "a stable and strong South Vietnam" can
compel the Communists to stop fighting and resume negotiations.
Can's remarks essentially echoed those of Thieu's.
with Phnom Penh -- some news agencies are still alleging that
CAMBODIA
14. Reporting on the tactical situation around Phnom 25X1
Penh remains confused. Despite denials by the Cambodian
Embassy in Bangkok -- which claims to be in direct contact 25X1
insurgent troops have entered the capital's outskirts.
15. The US Embassy in Bangkok today received a telegram
from two US correspondents whoremained in Phnom Penh request-
ing that aircraft be dispatched to Pocheritong to evacuate 500
orphans.
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