CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A012000010001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 1, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 27, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
DIA and DOS review(s) completed.
Secret
50
27 August 1968
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No. 0245/68
27 August 1968
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Czechoslovakia-USSR: Situation report. (Page 1)
South Vietnam: Situation report. (Page 5)
Italy-France: Communists in both countries con-
tinue their strong censure of the Soviet invasion.
(Page 7)
NATO: The Czechoslovakian crisis provokes concern
over some Alliance procedures. (Page 8)
Argentina: The President has strengthened his
position by replacing the army commander in chief.
(Page 9)
Turkey-USSR: Student protests (Page 11)
Algeria: Israeli aircraft (Page 11)
Nigeria: Federal offensive in Biafra (Page 11)
Cuba: Castro speech (Page 12)
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EASTERN EUROPE
EAST j
GERMANY
Berlin?
f l
Soviet Units from
FEDERAL
REPUBLIC
OF
GERMANY
,Prague
Budapest*
Belgrade*
MII. FS
91824 8-68 CIA
Tirane
*
Warsaw
U S S
*Bucharest
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CCzechoslovakia-USSR: (Information as of 2300 EDT)
The talks between the Soviet and Czechoslovak
leaders continued well into the night yesterday, a
sign that an agreement may be imminent.
As of 0630 Moscow time, TASS had not published
the expected communique on yesterday's talks, sug-
gesting that consultations may have continued all
night, Prime Minister
Cernik, a me in Moscow
I "the most im-
on were eing iscussed. In an ef-
fort to reassure those Czechoslovaks who have been
urging the delegation to return in order to get a
firsthand account of the occupation, Cernik added
that the delegation was aware of the situation at
home and was striving for an early conclusion to
the negotiations.
In Czechoslovakia, tension between the people
and the occupation forces remained unabated, al-
though fewer incidents of violence were reported
than in previous days. Czechoslovak workers staged
another 15-minute strike to demonstrate their op-
position to the take-over. Loyalist authorities,
however, apparently are concerned over the prospect
of a general strike. The government, parliament,
and trade unions addressed a joint appeal to the
nation, warning that any strike action of more than
a few minutes' duration would cause "immense harm"
to the country.
In the capital, Soviet military equipment was
somewhat less in evidence than before, although
troop strengths there are believed to have remained
unchanged. Last night, for no apparent reason,
Soviet troops vacated the building housing the gov-
ernment presidium. The US Embassy comments that
the attitude of most Prague citizens now is one of
resignation to the presence of the occupation troops.]
(continued)
27 Aug 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
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[Collaborators, possibly with Soviet connivance,
have been appealing to Slovak nationalism in an ef-
fort to breach the almost solid front of Czechoslovak
resistance. Although the Slovak party central com-
mittee reportedly denounced a proposal to proclaim
a separate Slovak state two days ago, a loyalist
radio station in Slovakia reports "independence"
demonstrations are to be held today. The station
denounced these plans as "obvious provocations," and
expressed the hope that no one would participate.
In a possibly related move, the Slovak party
congress convened yesterday, although it had earlier
been put off until Czechoslovak party leader Dubcek's
return. The last minute decision to hold the congress
as scheduled may have been taken in order to strip
authority away from first secretary Bilak, a member
of the delegation in Moscow and a conservative op-
ponent of Dubcek. The report of the first day's
proceedings stressed that the competence of the
central committee, of which Bilak is the head, ceases
once the congress is in session.
Soviet commentary on developments in Czecho-
slovakia has become not only increasingly defensive
but also somewhat more threatening in tone. Arguing
that the pervasive and unremitting resistance proves.
the existence of an anti-Socialist plot, Pravda
admits that the situation remains "complex and
tense," a gloomier description than the earlier hints
that things were not going as well as they might.
Soviet commentators, increasingly virulent in de-
fending the Soviet-sponsored "rescue mission," main-
tain that it has separated the "true fighters against
imperialism" from those who merely pay lip service
to that struggle, The commentators also point out
that those who question the Soviet action--Rumania
and Yugoslavia in particular--are following the
line of the "imperialists."
(continued)
27 Aug 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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[Troops from the western USSR are probably rein-
forcing Soviet elements in northwest Czechoslovakia.
A Soviet convoy seen on 25 August in southern East
Germany heading toward the Czechoslovak border ap-
parently came from the USSR instead of from the
Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. In the convoy
were many civilian trucks that had been converted
for military use. These vehicles were probably
called up during the recent "rear services" exercise
in the western USSR,
On 26 August, 25X1
reported that the ovie troops wnicn initially oc-
cupied Prague were being replaced by "occupation
or rear guard units," These new units have a higher
proportion of young troops, who appear "jumpy" and
"nervous" while patrolling. He also said the esti-
mates of occupation troops in Prague may go as high
as 80,000 to 90,000 rather than the 50,000 originally
estimated. The higher figure reflects a reassessment
of Soviet strength rather than an augmentation of
occupation troops in Prague. (Map) I 25X1
27 Aug 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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[South Vietnam: Some sharp fighting continues,
but the over-all level of enemy offensive activity
has eased.
In the I Corps area, action continues to be
centered along the coast from Da Nang to Quang Ngai
city. Allied reaction forces have inflicted very
heavy casualties on some enemy elements attempting
to position for attacks in this sector, and this
appears to have upset Communist offensive plans.
The enemy threat to the allied base at Duc Lap
in southwestern 11 Corps has lessened considerably.
Allied forces appear to be in full control of the
post. Several enemy regiments are still positioned
around the town of Ban Me Thuot to the north, how-
ever, and there continue to be indications that a
major assault is planned against it.
In the III Corps area, there are increasing
indications that sizable Communist forces may be
attempting to move toward Saigon. Sharp fighting
continues along some of the traditional infiltration
corridors to the city from the northwest, with the
enemy trying to open the way for the movement of
major units.
Only a few of the Communist main force units
have so far been identified in the fighting through-
out the country, which has been carried on largely
by local forces and specialized elements. Although
over-all Communist casualties have been heavy, the
bulk of main force combat power is still available
for action.
25X1
Comm
--A ac it as major strategy
conference in South Vietnam in June to be more cau-
tious and deliberate in the use of man in up-
coming offensive phases. uis
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[borne out by recent captured documents which indicate
that the strategy of the "general offensive and
eral uprising" has been confirmed by the enemy
gen-
high
command, but that the troops
should understand
it
to be a possibly long drawn
of numerous offensive waves
out process consisting
designed to coincide
with diplomatic maneuver.
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(Map) I
27 Aug 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin 6
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Italy-France: The Communist parties in both
countries remain firm in their censure of the Soviet
invasion of Czechoslovakia.
The French party's attack is its first public
reproof of Moscow. Expressions of opposition to
Moscow include a turnout of the entire party lead-
ership at the Rumanian National Day Celebration and
messages of sympathy from all party cells to the
Czechoslovak Embassy in Paris. The French party
doubtless believes that to maintain its standing
with the non-Communist left and more broadly with
the electorate it must demonstrate its independence
from Moscow on the Czechoslovak issue.
The Italian party's strong stand is in sharp
contrast to the position it adopted at the time of
the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956. Then, de-
spite criticism, the party supported "the grievous
necessity" of Soviet intervention. 25X1
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NATO: The occupation of Czechoslovakia has
provoked concern over some Alliance procedures and
may bring pressure for an extension of the North
Atlantic Treaty.
The West Germans are particularly anxious,
pointing to the presence of massive Soviet and East
European forces in Czechoslovakia and to the jamming
of the early warning radar system in Bavaria. They
have called for a review of the present warning time
concept, which they have long regarded as inadequate
to meet Alliance security needs. The North Atlantic
Council has asked the NATO military committee to ex-
amine the problem.
The Italians and the West Germans have an-
nounced they would further delay signing the non-
proliferation treaty (NPT), both citing the Czech
situation as the reason.
Both have expressed concern that NATO security
guarantees could evaporate with the NPT still in
effect. According to the treaty a NATO member may
cease to be a party to it after it. has been in ef-
fect for 20 years (August 1969) and after giving
one year's notice.
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Argentina: President Ongania has strengthened
his position by replacing army commander in chief
General Julio Alsogaray.
Alsogaray, a leader of the "liberal" faction
in the government,
is unlikely to
generate su .cent military support to resist his
ouster. His replacement, General Alejandro Lanusse,
is expected to take over today. He is considered
much more malleable than Alsogaray, and--like the
two other new service chiefs, who will take over in
October--is a supporter of Ongania.
Thus, Ongania will have lined up the military
more solidly in his own camp. There is no indica-
tion, however, that he plans to change the present
liberal-supported economic reform program or shift
his policies toward the "nationalist" faction that
is promoting development of a corporate state.
27 Aug 68
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SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
BIAFRA
0 25 so 7
STATUTE MILES
EQUATORIAL GUJNEA
FERNANDO POj
(SP.)
N
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Turkey-USSR: Student groups protesting Soviet
actions in Czechoslovakia twice forced the early
closing of the Soviet pavilion at the Izmir trade
fair last week. Soviet officials have reportedly
threatened to close their display completely if the
demonstrations do not cease. The present volatile
mood of the students and other demonstrators of
varied political leanings will probably not have
dissipated by the time the first visiting US Navy
personnel arrive in Izmir for a courtesy call by
ships of the Sixth Fleet scheduled August -
9 September.
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Algeria: The government is expected to release
"within a few days" the Israeli aircraft hijacked
by Palestinian terrorists on 23 July, as well as the
remaining crew members and passengers, according to
the Italian Foreign Ministry. A non-Israeli crew
will fly the plane--which has been readied by an
Air France crew--to Rome. This problem, which has
been acutely discomfiting to Algiers, seems likely
to be resolved before the African foreign ministers
meet in Algiers early next month. 25X1
Nigeria: The two-week-old federal offensive
into the Biafran heartland from the south has reached
within a few miles of Aba, an, important administra-
tive center, but press reports of the "fall" of
that city appear premature. Federal progress has
been retarded by logistic problems, heavy rains,
and stubborn Biafran resistance. The Biafran ef-
fort to stem the federal, drive could be signifi-
cantly assisted if reports are tru
French mercenaries recently passed
e that s
through
ome 300
Gabon. on
their way to Biafra.
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(Map)
(co
ntinued)
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Cuba: Fidel Castro has stated explicitly that
there is no possibility of a rapprochement with the
US now. During his speech on the Czech crisis on
23 August, Castro said that Cuba will not initiate
negotiations and will not consent to talks with the
US as long as the latter is "a government which
represents the bulwark of reaction in the world."
These firmly expressed sentiments and Castro's vow
not to be frightened by any US threats may work to
end recent rumors in Latin America of a possible
Cuba-US understanding. 25X1
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