CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP79T00975A011800070001-3
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
T
Document Page Count:
14
Document Creation Date:
December 14, 2016
Document Release Date:
January 31, 2003
Sequence Number:
1
Case Number:
Publication Date:
August 8, 1968
Content Type:
REPORT
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CIA-RDP79T00975A011800070001-3.pdf | 465.84 KB |
Body:
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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Secret
50
8 August 1968
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No. 0229/68
8 August 1968
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
South Vietnam: Situation report. (Page 1)
Czechoslovakia-USSR: Czechoslovak leaders continue
efforts to return the atmosphere in the country to
normal. (Page 2)
Malaysia: Prospects improve for political stability
in Sarawak . (Page 4)
Indonesia-UN: UN representative taking a more re-
laxed view over West Irian issue. (Page 5)
Sierra Leone: Tribal discontent is increasing.
Page 6)
Mexico: Students are threatening a nationwide
strike A (Page 8)
Egypt-Israel: Suez Canal trouble (Page 9)
Brazil: Student demonstrations (Page 9)
Chile: Internal politics (Page 9)
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[South Vietnam: Indications of continuing enemy
battle preparations have been noted in the northern
provinces, in northwest III Corps, and in the delta.
Small-scale clashes between allied and Communist
forces south of Da Nang and in an area west of Chu
Lai tend to confirm that the Communists have moved
into these regions in considerable force.
The most significant engagements on 6 August
were patrol-sized skirmishes along the northern coast
and two battles in the delta where South Vietnamese
Army troops reported killing 65 Viet Cong. Allied
losses were light. (Map) a
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Czechoslovakia-USSR: The Czechoslovak party
presidium continues efforts to return the atmosphere
within the country to normal.
The presidium has issued a communique which
terms the Bratislava meeting a success. The com-
munique, however, is more guarded about Cierna,
saying only that a comprehensive and fruitful ex-
change of views, ending in important conclusions
for further cooperation, had taken place there with
the Soviets.
The presidium expressed the expectation that
news media would continue to exercise voluntary re-
straint on domestic matters, but would be particu-
larly careful when reporting on foreign affairs.
The extent of such restraint on foreign affairs
can be measured by Prague radio's neutral reporting,
without commentary, of the communique on the Cierna
and Bratislava talks issued on 6 August by the So-
viet politburo. In the recent past, Prague radio
might have chosen to reply to the Soviet implica-
tion that events in Czechoslovakia would bear watch-
ing.
The Czechoslovaks are still interpreting var-
ious statements they have made about the two con-
ferences. Yesterday, for example, Defense Minister
Dzur amplified Premier Cernik's earlier indication
that Czechoslovakia would improve its defense po-
tential. Dzur said that between now and 1970 no
increase was planned in the army or in the military
budget. This appears to be a concession which may
lead to trouble with liberal politicians and econo-
mists, many of whom have been pressing for reductions.
The Czechs are also redirecting their attention
to economic problems. Premier Cernik has acknowl-
edged his nation's dependence on its CEMA partners
for raw materials and food supplies and as a market
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for its machinery and equipment, but noted that CEMA
remains in need of a substantial overhaul. Foreign
Minister Hajek stressed in an interview on 6 August
that strengthened trade ties within CEMA did not,
however, preclude expanded trade with the West.
If the top-level meeting of CEMA member countries
called for in the Bratislava communique is held in
the near future, Czechoslovakia may expect to dis-
cuss new forms of assistance for its economic re-
form. The perennial intra-CEMA issues of pricing,
establishment of partial currency convertibility,
and policy on trade with the West may also come
under discussion.
President Tito of Yugoslavia will visit Prague,
in a show of support, from 9 to 11 August. Rumanian
party boss Ceausescu is also widely rumored to have
plans for a visit after Tito's for the purpose of
signing a treaty of friendship and mutual assistance.
The Rumanians appear to be disgruntled about the re-
sults of the Bratislava meeting and the fact that
4-w.._
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Malaysia: Recent developments in Sarawak im-
prove prospects for political stability.
Late last month the Privy Council in London dis-
missed an appeal by the autonomy-minded ex - chief min-
ister of Sarawak, Stephen Ningkan, to invalidate his
ouster from office by Kuala Lumpur in 1966. This
decision apparently ends Ningkan's legal fight to re-
gain office, and weakens the political prospects of
the opposition Sarawak National Party, which he heads.
It also apparently increases the chances that his
party, or elements thereof, will re-enter the govern-
ment's Alliance coalition, which it bolted after
Ningkan's ouster.
Meanwhile, efforts by the Sarawak United People's
Party, the predominantly Chinese- and Communist-pen-
etrated opposition party, to achieve a coalition with
Ningkan's party have been fruitless. As a result,
the Alliance is now expected to win elections sched-
uled for about May next year by a narrow margin.
For its part, Kuala Lumpur has been attempting
to mend its political fences in Sarawak. Senior of-
ficials have made visits in recent months in efforts
to heal rifts in the Alliance as well as to entice
the support of the National Party.
The government has also recently announced an
ambitious land resettlement and development project
which should draw some votes, particularly from the
Chinese. Restrictions on land ownership by the Chi-
nese in Sarawak are an important basis for their dis-
content and susceptibility to Communist subversion.
The Communist apparatus received a severe blow last
month when some 75 were arrested in a government se-
curity sweep.
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Indonesia-UN: The UN special representative
on West Irian New Guinea) appears to be taking a
more relaxed view of his responsibilities for over-
seeing the "act of self-determination" which must
be carried out there next year.
The representative had earlier appeared critical
of Indonesia's plans for carrying out the agreement.
The US United Nations mission reports that he now
seems disposed to accept Indonesia's good faith in
carrying out the commitment made when the Dutch re-
linquished control over New Guinea in 1962. He has
also expressed his awareness of the difficulties in-
volved, especially in working with isolated tribes
who have had little contact with the outside world.
The UN representative is expected to arrive in
Djakarta on 12 August and will probably proceed to
West Irian shortly thereafter. The Indonesian Gov-
ernment must balance its intention to retain West
Irian with a sufficiently representative expression
of popular sentiment.
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Sierra Leone: The regime's heavy-handed treat-
ment of its political opposition has sharpened tribal
divisions in the country.
The harsh campaign of the northern-based govern-
ment of Prime Minister Stevens to crush the opposi-
tion Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), composed
largely of southern, Mende tribesmen, has brought the
rumblings of discontent among the Mendes to the sur-
face. A planned protest march and demonstration in
Freetown by several hundred Mendes was cut short by
the army and police on 3 August, and several arrests
were made. A pro-SLPP newspaper has appeared, warn-
ing in its first edition of the dangers of a one-
party system, and even Stevens' foreign minister, a
Mende opposed to the SLPP faction, is chafing over
what he considers persecution of his tribe.
The government, dominated by left-leaning Temne
tribesmen, shows no signs of easing its efforts to
neutralize the SLPP as a political force. It has
drastically reduced SLPP representation in Parliament
by successfully challenging in the courts the seating
of most SLPP members elected in 1967. The regime
has also arrested and filed treason charges against
several prominent Mendes, and harassment of Mendes
for a variety of minor political offenses is con-
tinuing.
The Mendes are disorganized and lack strong
leadership, but they could resort to force if inten-
sive pressure by the northerners continues. One
Mende source claims that acts of violence are being
planned, including the freeing of Mende army and po-
lice officers imprisoned in the April mutiny and the
burning of buildings in Freetown.
Stevens, heavily influenced by authoritarian-
minded radicals in his party, could bring matters to
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a head by refusing to call or attempting to rig by-
elections for the vacant seats in Parliament. The
responsiveness of Mende rank and file in the army
and police would be crucial in any attempt by the
southerners to unseat the Stevens regime.
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Mexico: Students are threatening to call a
nationwide strike if their demands are not met today.
Student demands have been expanded beyond imme-
diate grievances such as disbanding the riot police
and indemnification for injuries. They now include
the release of all political prisoners and repeal
of the constitutional article on "social dissolu-
tion"--a vaguely defined crime for which many polit-
ical extremists are held.
The issue of student deaths is being revived
with the formation of a teachers' committee to in-
vestigate the alleged disappearance of 30 students.
The reassertion of the perennial demand for the re-
lease of jailed Communists has gained the support
of leftist former president Lazaro Cardenas, who
personally pressed the matter with President Diaz
Ordaz.
Although the students have little apparent po-
tential to carry through on their threat to bring
teachers, workers, and peasants into a general strike,
the government may be moved to some concession that
would quiet the students at least through the Olym-
pics this fall. A disruption of its large tourist
industry would be a severe hardship for Mexico.
President Diaz Ordaz may, on the other hand,
decide to seek public support for a tough line by
appealing to Mexican nationalism. The government
has already stretched the truth considerably in its
effort to pin sole blame for the disorders on Commu-
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NOTES
Egypt-Israel: New trouble may be developing
along the Suez Canal. Local UN observers report in-
creased Egyptian activity in and along the waterway.
This most recently included brief stops on the east
bank by Egyptian soldiers and Egyptian antiaircraft
fire directed at an Israeli reconnaissance plane
flying east of the canal. There is no evidence that
the Egyptians intend to initiate large-scale hostil-
ities, but their activities obviously invite an ag-
gressive Israeli reaction.
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Brazil: A massive show of force by army and
police units in Rio de Janeiro has so far prevented
any significant student demonstrations. The state
governor called for army assistance on 6 August, and
as long as federal forces remain in evidence, student
protests will probably be restricted to harassing
"lightning" demonstrations. Students are unlikely
to be quiescent for long, however. In addition to
their pleas for needed educational reforms, they can
now exploit such new issues as the arrest of key
leaders and the death this week of a student wounded
in the June riots.
Chile: The national assembly of President Frei's
Christian Democratic Party took a step to the left
in its election of a president and leadership council
on 3-4 August. The new group is associated with
presidential hopeful Radomiro Tomic, and its election
gives him a strong push toward nomination for the
presidential election in 1970. Tomic hopes to bring
his party into an electoral alliance with a broad
leftist grouping, resumably including the Commu-
nists.
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