CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A013800040001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 2, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 24, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975A01380004 S et
25X1
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Secret
24 May 1969
Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975A013800040001-4
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO13800040001-4
Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO13800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/1$E?i 79T00975A013800040001-4
No. 0124/69
24 May 1969
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Vietnam: Situation report. (Page 1)
Venezuela: Nationwide student violence has in-
tensified and taken on anti-US overtones. (Page 3)
Latin America: Demonstrations are planned in most
of the countries Governor Rockefeller will visit.
(Page 4)
Costa Rica: The Communists are benefiting from
violence stemming from an illegal strike of steve-
dores. (Page 5)
Netherlands-Indonesia: Many Netherlanders doubt
that the West Irzanese will be allowed to express
their free choice on the territory's future. (Page 6)
Ethiopia: Important cabinet changes are again
rumored. (Page 7)
Italy: Socialist party dispute (Page 8)
Afghanistan: Student unrest (Page 8)
Morocco-USSR: Military delegation to Moscow (Page 8)
Approved For Release 2003/05j c Rl DP79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/19 $1V4-RT00975A013800040001-4
Vietnam: Communist statements in the Paris
talks this week were unusually forthright in spell-
ing out objections to President Nixon's peace pro-
posals of 14 May.
The Liberation Front's Tran Buu Kiem reinforced
the impression that the basic Communist objection
to allied proposals to date is that they do not pro-
vide adequate security to ensure even the survival
of the Communist apparatus, much less its right to
establish a legitimate political power base. Kiem
made this point once in saying that US proposals
for mutual withdrawal would leave Communist forces
at the mercy of South Vietnamese military operations,
and again in rejecting elections conducted under the
aegis of the present Saigon government.
Kiem repeated the idea in the Front's ten points
that "neither party shall impose its political re-
gime" on the South during an interim period between
a cease-fire and general elections. He also repeated
the Front's proposal for a "provisional coalition
government" in this period which would, among other
things, organize and supervise elections. Kiem
clearly left room for bargaining on this key point,
however. He did not insist that the Front's pro-
posal was the only way to tackle the problem of in-
terim political authority, but only that the situ-
ation required a "provisional administration" to
attend to "necessary work following the restora-
tion of peace."
Hanoi's Xuan Thuy concentrated on the question
of troop withdrawal. Despite his hostile language,
Thuy indicated more clearly than ever the way the
Communists hope to handle this matter. He ob-
liquely suggested that the method used to get around
the bombing halt impasse last year--the so-called
"understanding"--might also be suitable to resolve
the troop withdrawal issue.
(continued)
24 May 69 Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2003/05/ (CI4 1J'79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/1:if79T00975A013800040001-4
I He did this by comparing what he called the US
demand for Communist reciprocity on troop withdrawals
to the Johnson administration's demand in connection
with the bombing halt. As the Communists did on the
bombing issue, Xuan Thuy flatly ruled out any possi-
bility that Hanoi would accept the concept of reci-
procity.
Xuan Thuy is leaving Paris today for his first
trip back to Hanoi since the talks started more than
a year ago. His return probably was prompted by a
need to take stock of the situation in the wake of
President Nixon's peace initiatives and to devise
new tactics to cope with them. The US move came
just after the top North Vietnamese official in
Paris, Le Duc Tho, had returned from nearly three
months of consultations in Hanoi. Another trip by
Tho at this time probably would have conveyed an
impression of disarray in the Vietnamese Communist
camp.
24 May 69 Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2003/05/$p79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/19A,9T00975A013800040001-4
j~ Venezuela: Nationwide student violence has
intensifiecand taken on anti-US overtones.
In Maracaibo, the country's second city, stu-
dents stoned the US Consulate on 21 May, alleging
US interference in university matters. In Caracas,
students took over the university's cultural office,
calling it a "servant of North American imperialism."
While valence went into its third day in Mara-
caibo, martial law was declared in the nearby town
of Cabimas after 20 persons were injured in clashes
between high school students and police. In Merida,
southwest of the capital, violence has continued
sporadically for ten days and students are demand-
ing the resignation of the state governor.
A shooting incident at Central University in
Caracas on Thursday in which six members of rival
student groups were wounded was followed by new
clashes between police and students yesterday. Nu-
merous cases of sniping and other violence have
been reported.
As a result of these incidents the army has
been put on alert. Secondar schools in Caracas
have been closed.
24 May 69 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/051 :CIIA--~ P79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/1SE~.4k.IFDT79T00975A013800040001-4
I Latin America: Demonstrations are being planned
against Governor Rockefeller in most of the coun-
tries he will visit beginning on Tuesday. Some
violence may occur in a few of the countries.
In Colombia, where the Governor will begin the
second of his four trips, several youth and student
groups intend to create disturbances in order to
embarrass or harass the Governor.
In Ecuador there are persistent rumors that
students and others will try to create trouble dur-
ing the Governor's visit on 29 May, but there is
no firm information as yet that mass demonstrations
are being planned. Student disturbances have been
going on in Ecuador for over a month, and it is pos-
sible some violence could take place designed pri-
marily to embarrass the Velasco government.
Bolivian student leaders reportedly have agreed
to hold demonstrations upon the Governor's arrival
in La Paz on 30 or 31 May. The students also hope
to get workers and peasants into the streets.
Venezuelan authorities are quite concerned
about the security situation there because of
growing student agitation and violence that is be-
coming increasingly anti-US. Government concern
over the Governor's safety has led to a recommenda-
tion that he stay at the Caracas military officers'
club rather than at a hotel.
24 May 69 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/'?ECR-ECIP79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/19519T00975A013800040001-4
Costa Rica: The Communists appear to be bene-
fiting% rom violence that has again erupted at the
Caribbean port of Limon in connection with an il-
legal strike of stevedores.
The conflict arose last month when the govern-
ment refused severance pay to workers after admin-
istration of the docks was transferred from a rail
line to a government agency. Communist agitators.
moved in and gained the almost unanimous support of
workers for a broader list of demands; workers then
defied a court ruling and struck on 20 May.
Rail yards have been shut down except for pas-
senger traffic, and all schools and many businesses
have closed. Strike breakers from other areas have
been brought to the outskirts of Limon, and more
violence can be expected if the government decides
to use them.
Pressure on the government to end the strike
is increasing as more and more banana growers are
affected. One company claims its losses now exceed
$250,000.
A victory for the workers would give a big boost
to the Communists' potential in the generally weak
trade union movement, and would increase their lim-
ited political influence. This in turn would im-
prove the Communists' chances for persuading the
legislature to legalize their front, the Bloc of
Workers, Farmers, and Intellectuals, so that it
might participate in next Febru y's general elec-
tions.
24 May 69 Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2003/05/19ECR-Q"79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/1E?.IR79T00975A013800040001-4
Netherlands-Indonesia: The Dutch government
has moved to blunt domestic criticism of its policy
regarding implementation of the 1962 agreement
transferring control of West Irian (formerly Dutch
New Guinea) to Indonesia.
In response to pressures from some members of
parliament and the press, Foreign Minister Luns met
with Indonesian Foreign Minister Malik in Rome ear-
lier this week. Luns' purpose was to convey the
Dutch parliament's concern over certain of Indone-
sia's procedures in implementing the 1962 agreement.
Much of the criticism in the Netherlands has
focused on Luns. He is charged with not having done
enough to assure the New Guinea natives a voice dur-
ing the period from 10 July to 3 August when an "act
of free choice" is to be carried out. Dutch opinion
has been particularly skeptical about Indonesia's
plan for "mutual consultation" with selected leaders
of various political and tribal groups in the terri-
tory as opposed to some kind of Western-style ex-
pression of free choice.
On his return from Rome, Luns told parliament
that Malik had assured him West Irian would be open
to foreign observers who would be allowed to see
the natives exercise their free choice using the
"consultative" system. According to Luns, the United
Nations has indicated satisfaction with the Indone-
sian procedure.
This latest spate of criticism of the foreign
minister reflects a lingering resentment over the
1962 agreement by many Netherlanders--including Luns
himself--who believe that it was forced on The Ha u
by some of its closest allies. 25X1
24 May 69
Central Intelligence Bulletin 6
Approved For Release 2003/05SCRi1TP79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/193 9T00975A013800040001-4
Ethiopia: Rumors of important cabinet changes--
including the foreign and education ministers--are
again circulating in Addis Ababa.
Haile Selassie reshuffled his cabinet only last
February in an attempt to dampen criticism of his
government and of his lack of new approaches to eco-
nomic and political problems. No significant changes
in policy resulted, however, and discontent among
students, educated civil servants, and some high
government officials has continued unabated.
Since February the government has been unable
to solve the problem of widespread student unrest
that has been contributing to a general feeling of
tension in Addis Ababa and other urban areas. More-
over, the Eritrean Liberation Front has recently
stepped up its insurgent activities, adding a fur-
ther burden to the government and the military.
Whether the Emperor actually intends, however,
to make drastic changes in government policy or
bring younger and more capable individuals into the
cabinet at this time is questionable.
24 May 69 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/:&P79T00975A013800040001-4
 Approved For Release 2003/05/1:~Dria`-RBP 79T00975A013800040001-4
Italy: The Socialist Party has postponed fur-
ther sessions of its central committee until 23
June in an effort to avoid a government crisis and
a definitive split in the party. Before reaching
this decision, a group proposing new leadership won
support from 62 of the 121 members of the committee.
The group agreed to defer further action while it
seeks a rapprochement with right-wing Socialists
who have been threatening to leave the government
and the party unless they are represented in the
leadership.
Afghanistan: The government is under increasing
pressure to quiet student unrest in Kabul. It is
concerned that demonstrations, which have been re-
curring since 13 May, will mar the brief stopover
tomorrow by Secretary Rogers and the five-day
visit by Soviet Premier Kosygin beginning on 26
May. Both legitimate and unreasonable academic
grievances underlie the current wave of discontent,
which has provoked stiff police retaliation. Re-
moval of most police units from the streets has re-
duced chances for further clashes, but unless some
of the students' demands are met, the situation is
likely to remain tense.
Morocco-USSR: A Moroccan military delegation
has accepted an invitation to visit the USSR in
Jul
;0- to test the atmosphere,"enotrptosacquireeamV~Isi j,
s. The
Western-oriented King over the past few years has
been expandi
hi
ng
s relations with the USSR.
(continued)
24 May 69
Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/0%Y$9-:X~ADP79T00975A013800040001-4
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO13800040001-4
Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO13800040001-4
 SeRAF ved For Release 2003/05/19: CIA-RDP79T00975AO13800040001-4
Secret
Approved For Release 2003/05/19 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO13800040001-4