CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A010900190001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 25, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
STATE review(s) completed.
Top Secret
c 214
25 March 1968
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2 5 March 19 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Panama: National Guard's refusal to recognize
impeachment prompts opposition call for general
strike. (Page 1)
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Czechoslovakia: Liberals push for more resigna-
tions and reforms. (Page 6)
Jordan--Israel: Border quiet, but emotions heated
in Jordan. Page 7)
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*Panama-. The refusal of National Guard Commandant
Vallarino to recognize yesterday's impeachment conviction
of President Robles has prompted opposition leader Arias
to call for a nationwide general strike.
Arias' call for "civic resistance" over National Union
(NU) media may account for the Guard's decision to move
in on NU headquarters with tear gas this morning. An
undetermined number of Arias followers were arrested,
including NU Secretary General Nicosia. One Guard of-
ficer reportedly was killed in the clash,
A vote to remove Robles from office ended the Na-
tional Assembly's four-week-old impeachment trial and
left the country with two rival claimants for the presi-
dency. General Vallarino issued a communique after
the Assembly concluded its session stating that the Guard
would not recognize the legislature's actions pending a
decision on the legality of the impeachment proceedings
by the Supreme Court when it reconvenes on 1,Aprilo
Robles was found guilty of "electoral coercion" by
29 National Union deputies and was deprived of his
political rights for a two-year period. The 12--member
government bloc boycotted the session,
Following Robles' conviction, First Vice President
Max Delvalle, an Arias supporter, was sworn in as chief
executive by the Assembly president. To give the im-
pression of an operating government, Delvalle appointed
a cabinet and announced that another Assembly session
would be convoked today to consider "special" matters
submitted by executive order.
He reportedly intends to propose amendment of the
electoral code. Vallarino, however, may take steps
to prevent an Assembly meeting to avoid implying re-
cognition of the "new" government,
Despite a ban on public demonstrations issued by the
progovernment mayor of Panama City, an estimated 4, 000
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Arias supporters gathered at NU headquarters yester-
day while the Assembly was in session. National Guard
units cordoned off the Assembly area, but did not attempt
to enforce the mayor's edict. Valiarino's troops did
succeed in hampering the movement of NU followers
into Panama City, thereby reducing the size of the Arias
turnout.
Thus far, there have be ='i few signs of any sustained
enthusiasm for the legal tug-of-war between the Robles
government and the opposition-controlled Assembly.
Sporadic acts of violence occurred in various parts of
the country during the night, however, and radical ele-
ments on both sides can be expected to continue attempts
to initiate disorders.
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Czechoslovakia. Liberals in Czechoslovakia have
continued to press for further personnel changes and
"democratic" reforms following the resignation of Pres-
ident' Antonin Novotny and many of his followers.
Among those quitting posts in Novotny's wake were
the deputy chairman of the National Assembly, Vaclav
Skoda, and the minister of justice, Alois Neumann.
The chairman and five members of the Central Control
and Auditing Commission of the Communist Party cen-
tral committee, several district party leaders, and
some trade union and youth organization officers also
resigned,
A number of other Czechoslovak officials are cur-
rently under fire by liberals, including Secretariat mem-
ber Koucky, and Foreign Minister David.
A Czechoslovak Communist Party official, mean-
while, has served notice that the party intends to con-
tinue its reforms.. Cestmir Cisar, recently appointed
to head the central committee's Department of Educa-
tion, stated on 23 March that the "new atmosphere" cre-
ated by the Communist Party since January "will become
a permanent feature of Czechoslovak development."
Cisar said this is guaranteed by the fact that "a
new party leadership is being formed and a party action
program is being prepared."
Czech diplomats and Foreign Ministry officials are
also emphasizing that Prague intends to seek good rela-
tions with all countries, including West Germany. The
ambassador to the US, for example, has called attention
to Deputy Foreign Minister Pudlak's statement that ex-
isting Czech - West German agreements could lead to
extensive trade, tourist, and cultural relations.
Pudlak also implied that Prague might establish
diplomatic relations with Bonn despite their basic dif-
ferences.
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Jordan-Israel, The border is generally quiet,
although several exchanges of fire have occurred since
the Israeli incursion on 21 March.
Tel Aviv's action almost certainly will make it
impossible for King Husayn to take any strong measures
in preventing future terrorist raids out of Jordan against
Israel. In a press conference on 23 March, the King
stressed the need for renewed Arab unity.
Emotion is still running high in Amman following
the public funerals of those killed during last week's
frays
The UN Security Council last night unanimously
passed a compromise resolution condemning Israeli ag-
gression after Jordan reluctantly a reed to inclusion of
the phrase "all violent incidents."
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