CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A010800060001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 4, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 9, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
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Central Intelligence Bulletin
State Dept. review completed
Top Secret
9 February 1968
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Approved For Release 2003/04/18 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO10800060001-5
 Approved For Releao
9 February 1968
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Singapore: Lee seeks a new mandate to deal with
problems caused by the British withdrawal.
(Page 4)
Thailand: The leadership has moved closer to
a return to constitutional government. (Page 5)
West Germany US: Student demonstrations (Page 6)
Sudan: Assembly dissolved (Page 6)
Congo (Kinshasa): Mercenaries. (Page 6)
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Singapore: By unexpectedly calling new elections,
Prime Minister Lee appears to be seeking a mandate
to deal with problems arising from Britain's accel-
erated withdrawal.
A general election was due this year, but the gov-
ernment had been expected to wait until late summer
or early autumn. The cabinet's decision on 7 February
to dissolve Parliament means elections must be held
within three months.
Britain had planned to maintain a military pres-
ence in Southeast Asia until the mid- 1970s, but under
its recently revised timetable the British phaseout
is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1971.
British forces now provide most of Singapore's
security requirements, and Singapore's leaders hope
to meet these in the future both by increasing substan-
tially the nation's own military capability and by the
conclusion of some form of regional security arrange-
ment.
In economic terms, the UK bases in Singapore
have accounted for 20 percent of the island's gross na-
tional product, provided employment for 6 percent of
the labor force, and contributed US $175 million an-
nually in foreign exchange.
Lee and the ruling People's Action Party (PAP)
are expected to win handily. There is no meaningful
opposition party and electoral districts were recently
redrawn to favor PAP candidates.
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Thailand: The ruling military leadership has
taken an important step toward a return to constitu-
tional government.
The appointed Constituent Assembly concluded
its final reading of the new constitution on 8 February,
thereby concluding a drafting process begun nine
years ago. There is only one remaining legislative
hurdle when the Assembly on 22 February is to vote
whether to forward the constitution for the King's
signature.
Although the regime can still cause delay, the
fact that it permitted the third reading suggests that
it is now committed to an early promulgation. Suc-
cessful completion of local elections last month also
has contributed to momentum toward political change
and has made it more difficult for the military lead-
ership to stall much longer.
Nonetheless, important government leaders are
reluctant to upset internal stability while a Commu-
nist insurgent threat persists, and Bangkok has made
clear that it intends to keep a tight rein on renewed
political activity.
The draft constitution provides for lower house
elections eight months after promulgation. The
powers of the legislature are carefully circumscribed,
and it is likely that the present leadership will con-
tinue to exercise effective power.
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West Germany - US: Demonstrations by radical
leftist students at US installations in West Germany
have been taking an increasingly violent turn. An es-
pecially bold assault was made early this week on the
US Consulate in Frankfurt. US officials in Germany
believe local authorities in Frankfurt were too lenient,
and that this is encouraging the youthful agitators.
The next target may be the US Consulate in Hamburg,
where another major demonstration opposing the
role in Vietnam is planned for this weekend.
Sudan: The Sudanese Government, fearing it
would be ousted by a no-confidence vote engineered
by opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi, on 7 February
manipulated the dissolution of the Sudanese Consti-
tuent Assembly. The government hopes to hold new
assembly elections in April. Sadiq stands little chance
of returning to power in early elections and may now
turn to his military supporters for help in dislodging
the regime. The degree of his support within the
army, as well as among influential civilians, is prob-
lematical, however, The authorities have thus far
maintained comparative order in Khartoum. I
Congo (Kinshasa): President Mobutu now wishes
to wash his hands of the foreign mercenary problem.
He says he will propose at an OAU meeting scheduled
for 19-23 February that the mercenaries be allowed to
depart for Europe. Although he still believes these
men should be punished, he apparently will attach no
strings to their departure. Mobutu also says he hopes
to re- establish relations with Rwanda, resumabl
after the mercenary issue is settled.
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