CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 18, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 13, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975A0121000SeeIet
25X1
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Secret
50
State Department review completed
13 September 1968
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
 25X1 Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO12100040001-2
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO12100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/CK3BC) F1'f2DP79T00975A012100040001-2
No. 0260/68
13 September 1968
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
South Vietnam: Situation report. (Page 1)
Czechoslovakia-USSR: Prague moves to fulfill com-
m3tments to Moscow. (Page 2)
India: New Delhi creates a new sub-state in Assam.
(Page 5)
Thailand: Insurgent incidents remain at a low level.
Page 7
Sudan: The unstable government appears increasingly
vulnerable to an army takeover. (Page 8)
Rumania - Middle East Oil: Iranian oil to reach
Rumania by way of an Israeli pipeline. (Page 9)
Mexico: More student trouble is likely. (Page 10)
Albania: Break with Warsaw Pact (Page 11)
Philippines-Malaysia: Sabah (Page 11)
Chile: Legislative troubles (Page 11)
Swaziland: UN admission (Page 13)
Approved For Release 2004/0
DP79T00975A012100040001-2
IA-P
 Approved For Release 2004/OS CI&Ii DP79T00975A012100040001-2
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/0jtg RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/0 kc 1A DP79T00975A012100040001-2
C South Vietnam: An estimated two Viet Cong bat-
talions continue to hold attack positions just south-
west of Tay Ninh city.
Although allied counterattacks have apparently
driven the bulk of Communist forces from the city
and its immediate environs, sharp contacts with at
least squad-sized enemy units continue to be reported
inside the city proper. in outlying areas, allied
field positions are still being shelled. Casualty
reports from the Tay Ninh battle are unusually light
considering the size and scope of the action.
Indications of Communist plans to widen the
action in the III Corps - Saigon area continue to be
received. A special communique was broadcast over
the Viet Cong radio on 12 September which warned the
people of the first and second precincts in Saigon
to stay away from allied bases and "nerve centers."
The timing and the language of the broadcast suggest
that the Communists would like to have it interpreted
as a warning of forthcoming attack.
In other areas of South Vietnam on 11-12 Sep-
tember, the major military action involved skirmishes
along the Demilitarized Zone and around Pleiku city.
A 14-hour clash with an enemy force of estimated
regimental size occurred near Loc Ninh in Binh Long
Province. Also, Binh Thuy air base was heavily
shelled.
13 Sep 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/08RC' DP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/0B$ IA4~DP79T00975A012100040001-2
Czechoslovakia-USSR: Prague is expected to
take steps today to fulfill some of its commitments
under the Moscow agreement.
The National Assembly convenes today to legalize
censorship and to prohibit formation of political
parties and semipolitical groups outside the frame-
work of the Communist-dominated National Front. The
press legislation being considered is designed to be
even more restrictive than the censorship in effect
during the latter days of the Novotny regime. The
draft bill calls for the reimposition of prior cen-
sorship, direct control of mass media, and the es-
tablishment of a government committee to monitor the
effectiveness of the new regulations.
Foreign Minister Hajek reportedly will submit
his resignation, and there may be other cabinet-level
shifts. The Soviets are said to have demanded the
ouster of mass media officials who have characterized
the Soviet entry as an "occupation."
According to a reliable source of the US Embassy
in Prague, an organized conservative opposition group
has developed in the area of Ostrava in Northern
Moravia. This group, which is said to consist of
2-3,000 "old Communists and disgruntled function-
aries," is propagating the slogan that Dubcek is
responsible for the Soviet intervention.
Participation in the invasion reportedly is
having serious political side effects in Hungary and
Poland. F_ I
Hungary's boss Kadar, who opposed intervention until
the last possible moment, remains deeply dejected
and sees no one. Other Hungarian party and govern-
ment leaders are attempting to carry on as usual,
however. On 11 September six key leaders visited
provincial centers, presumably to brief local lead-
ers on the meaning of Czechoslovak developments.
(continued)
13 Sep 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
SECRET
 Approved For Release 2004/0'1 15'iEiA- DP79T00975AO12100040001-2
Polish propaganda indicates that party boss
Gomulka is trying to take advantage of the present
tough Soviet posture to intimidate his nationalistic
opponents.
13 Sep 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/OYL RIR4fDP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/019BP79T00975A012100040001-2
Unique Sub-State to be Created in India
Approved For Release 2004/Qs1 18 0 T DP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/0$ -g-~ VAIDP79T00975A012100040001-2
India: New Delhi, after nearly three years of
vacillation, has decided to reorganize troubled
Assam by creating a new sub-state in the area.
The sub-state--consisting of the Garo and United
Khasi-Jaintia hill districts--is the first of its
kind in India. It was forced on New Delhi by per-
sistent pressure from the All Parties Hill Leaders
Conference (APHLC), which represents tribes resent-
ful of control by the Hindu-dominated Assam state
government. The Indian Government hopes the creation
of the sub-state will spare these hill districts
from disruptions like the long-festering Naga and
Mizo rebellions.
The sub-state is to have its own council of
ministers and legislative assembly and jurisdiction
over 52 of the 63 powers which are the normal re-
sponsibility of Indian states, but Assam will retain
control over the all-important function of law and
order. This limitation of its functions appears to
be a victory for Congress Party state bosses who
have opposed giving the sub-state responsibility for
those powers that would have removed the hill dis-
tricts from the ultimate control of Assam and made
the area, in effect, a separate state.
An APHLC general party conference will meet in
a few days to consider its reaction to the New Delhi
decision, but the first response of APHLC leaders
has been unenthusiastic. Although these leaders had
earlier acquiesced in sharing some powers with Assam,
they have repeatedly insisted on sole responsibility
for law and order. Moderate APHLC leaders, who have
only a tenuous hold over the conference, will have
to deal with young militants who continue to advo-
cate a fully separate state for the hill districts.
(continued)
13 Sep 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2004/OYVC. IDP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/OlEff P79T00975A012100040001-2
Although New Delhi says its decision is final,
the conference may be encouraged to remain intran-
sigent by the successful launching last week of a
long-planned nonviolent action campaign, during which
a one-day work stoppage completely tied up the Assam
capital of Shillong.
13 Sep 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO12100040001-2
SECRET .
 Approved For Release 2004/Ml1 RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
Thailand: The Communists appear to be husband-
ing their resources as armed incidents remain at a
low level.
In the key northeast region, the insurgents
still appear to be concentrating on building their
village-level organization, despite some reports
that they are ready to take the offensive again.
Communist attacks and harassment against government
security forces are still scattered and sporadic,
and appear to be largely in reaction to government
initiatives. Communist terrorism is also running
well below previous levels. The decline in insur-
gent activity is almost certainly related to more
intensive government security operations, although
armed Communist bands are still intact.
Fighting has also tapered off in the north,
where the Communists inflicted a series of sharp
setbacks on government forces earlier this year.
This seems to be primarily the result of the army's
pullback from the Communist-held areas along the
Lao border. There is also substantial evidence
that the guerrillas are making a considerable ef-
fort to win support among tribal villages, includ-
ing some in government-controlled areas. Government
counterinsurgency programs are just getting under
way and, in the case of tribal security forces, are
still plagued by bureaucratic rivalries.
Meanwhile, in southern Thailand, the long-en-
trenched Malaysian Communists are reacting to Bang-
kok's increased security efforts sparked by the
guerrilla's decimation of a Malaysian border patrol
last June. It is also possible that a recent series
of small skirmishes indicates a greater willingness
on the Communists' part to reverse their past prac-
tice of avoiding incidents with the Thai. A Thai
Communist propaganda broadcast in mid-August for
the first time described the activity along the Ma-
laysian border as being directed against Thailand
as well as Malaysia. The Malaysian Communists, how-
ever, have given no indication that their goal now
includes Thailand.
13 Sep 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2004/0' lpCRI RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/Q 1 DP79T00975A012100040001-2
Sudan: The coalition government in Khartoum is
more unstable than ever.
The government, patched together in June after
the spring elections, is an uneasy merger of the
leftist Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and one branch
of the conservative Umma Party. Since its formation
earlier this year, the government has been squabbling
over the allotment of cabinet posts as well as do-
mestic and international policies. In addition, it
has been faced with serious problems with the coun-
try's labor unions and dissension over the recent So-
viet arms deal. Many military leaders would have
preferred to rely on Western sources.
The coalition governments that have controlled
the country since 1964 have usually managed to fum-
ble along in disarray for months before ending in a
no-confidence vote in the assembly or new elections.
The present coalition, however, seems to have the
poorest prospects yet. While a new coalition may
emerge, the possibility is increasing that some army
leader might be tempted to take the reins, with or
without the cooperation of one of the country's ci-
vilian political parties. 25X1
13 Sep 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO12100040001-2
SECRET
 Approved For Release 2004 QR&A-RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
Rumania - Middle East Oil: Rumania is the
first of the East European countries which have oil
barter deals with Iran to arrange for the delivery
of Iranian crude oil.
In the past month three free world tankers have
offloaded about 150,000 tons of Iranian crude at
Eilat for portage through the existing 16-inch Is-
raeli pipeline to Haifa and onward shipment to Ru-
mania. When the Suez Canal was first closed, in-
creased transport costs--among other reasons--dis-
couraged East Europeans from buying Iranian oil.
Rumania also has imported about 250,000 tons
of Saudi Arabian crude oil via the Cape of Good Hope
since June. The use of the existing Israeli pipe-
line would give Iranian barter crude a distinct cost
advantage over this Saudi crude.
13 Sep 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/P5R(PgRDP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/01SI?CJ FfDP79T00975A012100040001-2
Mexico: Students, striking over a long list
of grievances, are determined to stay on their col-
lision course with the government.
The left-extremist strike committee at the na-
tional university has announced that all schools have
rejected the rector's appeal for a return to classes.
University officials are warning that the university
may be closed down or used as secondary schools if
the strike continues.
Student leaders have informed the press that
the situation will come to a head in the next few
days and that they expect the government to crack-
down hard. A strike committee, indicating that it
accepts the risk of government repression, reported
that contingency planning already includes secret
designation of an alternate leadership and the es-
tablishment of clandestine printing presses.
A "silent march" to the capital's main plaza,
scheduled for today, is likely to provide the next
physical confrontation between the strikers and the
authorities. Another melee with security forces
would be likely to spread the strike to other areas
of Mexico.
Students and teachers at the University of
Sinaloa are already on a sympathy strike, even though
the state government is withholding its subsidy to
the school in retaliation.
13 Sep 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1;
25X11
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO12100040001-2
SECRET
 Approved For Release 20041A-RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
NOTES
Albania: Capitalizing on disarray in Eastern
Europe, Albania has taken parliamentary measures to
end its membership in the Warsaw Pact. The decision
to get out, which was approved by the National As-
sembly yesterday, demonstrates Albania's contempt
for the invasion of Czechoslovakia and virtually
completes Tirana's disengagement from the Soviet
bloc. Albania has not been an active member of the
Warsaw Pact since 1961.
Philippines-Malasia: Philippine efforts to
inject the Sabah issue into current meetings of the
standing committee of the Asia Pacific Council have
apparently failed. The Japanese official chairing
the meetings is aware of Malaysia's objection to the
Philippine move and says that, without the concur-
rence of all members, he will not circulate a Phil-
ippine letter asserting that Manila does not rec. -
nize Malaysia's sovereignty over Sabah. I
Chile: The government. may have trouble getting
congressional approval of its budget, social security
law, and tax legislation. This year-the administra-
tion submitted jointly the cost-of-living wage re-
adjustment bill and the budget, hoping that through
this tactic both would be enacted by the budget
deadline of 31 December and that protracted congres-
sional squabbling would be avoided. The Communists
and Socialists, however, have criticized the maneu-
ver and are calling for separate bills. The Commu-
nists also plan to propose their own social security
bill. The government wants congressional approval
of its economic legislation before the pressures
of the campaign for the congressional elections in
March make such action almost impossible
(continued)
13 Sep 68
Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/O1E1 'Ifff
 Approved For Release 2004/01SQ.P79T00975A012100040001-2
ANGOLA`
(Port.)
ZAMBIA
Walvis Bay
WALVIS BAY
(Rep. of S.Af.)
Tsumeb
G rootfontein
SOUTH-WEST.AFRICA
(international 1}~rritory)
GABERONES(*~
SOUTHERN
RHODESIA
West
Nicholson
PRETORIA
6fohanne4burg
SALISBURY
LOUBEN O
h}ARQU ES
AN.E
Kimberley,
Bloemfontein ?
REPUBLIC OF
SOUTH AFRICA
International or
intercolonial boundary
Province boundary
QQ National or
colonial capital
0 Province capital
Railroad
Road
0 50 100 150 Mile;
I'
0 501 00150 Kilometers
Bitterfontein
Cape
Town
eOUNOARY REPRESENTATION IS
NOT NECESSARILY AUTHORITATIVE
BOTSWANA
De Aar` 1~ -1
SOUTH AFRICA
MASERU
LESOTHO pPietermaritzburg
_ j Durban
Approved For Release 2004/gyt5R "DP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Approved For Release 2004/11c=RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
Swaziland: The Security Council on 11 September
unanimously recommended the admission to the United
Nations of Swaziland--the last British dependency in
Africa to gain independence. Swaziland is expected
to take a moderate position in the world body, par-
ticularly with regard to neighboring white-ruled
South Africa upon which it is economically dependent.
(Map)
13 Sep 68 Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2004/RDP79T00975A012100040001-2
 Secret"""' For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO12100040001-2
Secret
Approved For Release 2004/01/15 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO12100040001-2