CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A015600030001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 15, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 16, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975A015600030'Sb re
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
DIA and DOS review(s) completed.
DOS
Secret
5'
25X1
16 February 1,970
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600030001-5
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600030001-5
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600030001-5
 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 S: &0 l' 9T00975A015600030001-5
No. 0040/70
16 February 1970
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Laos: Communist forces are closing in on the govern-
ment's main base on the Plaine des Jarres. (Page 1)
South Vietnam: South Vietnamese forces appear to
have thwarted a major Communist push into the Mekong
Delta. (Page 2)
Jordan: Tension between the fedayeen and the govern-
ment has lessened, but the situation could easily
flare up again. (Page 3)
25X1
Arms Control: The US-USSR draft treaty on seabeds
will be the priority item at the Geneva disarmament
talks. (Page 5)
Spain-France: Relations have been further improved
by the Spanish foreign minister's warm reception in
Paris. (Page 6)
Somalia: Possible demonstrations (Page 7)
Uruguay: Government take-over of schools (Page 7)
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975A015600030001-5
SECRET
 Approved For Release 2003/05/29~16I'iA 9T00975A015600030001-5
AREA OF
MAIN MAP
Communist Military Activity on the Increase
j o-
ov itions
Muting 'r
-omrriunists Nong
~overrun position
XiengKhoua
hong
PLANE ICES JARrE Savanhou
Enemy troops threaleh- rrQuan Xieng
government outpost ho viHe
hoU q? -
Government -held iodation
flint mist-held location
Approved For Release 2003/05/~ &:, P79T00975A015600030001-5
 Approved For Release 2003/05/299 ff f i 9T00975A015600030001-5
I Laos: Communist forces are closing in on the
government's main base on the Plaine des Jarres.
The enemy subjected General Vang Pao's forward
command post at Xieng Khouang airfield to sporadic
mortar and rocket fire throughout 15 February. The
North Vietnamese now dominate all the high ground
on the northeast side of the Plaine. Government
guerrillas yesterday lost their last outpost north-
east of Nong Pet. The pullback there leaves no gov-
ernment forces which could harass Communist supply
convoys transiting Route 7 in the general Khang Khay
to Ban Ban region.
Southeast of the Plaine the situation is.rela-
tively quiet but enemy troops are reported to be mov-
ing into position against Phou Khe and Phou Gnouan,
25X1
the two prominent terrain features still occupied by
government troops.
There are also signs of increased enemy activity
near government positions defending the approaches
to Vang Pao's headquarters at Long Tieng. Govern-
ment troops some eight miles northeast. of Long Tieng
clashed with a small enemy force several days ago.
There . is no evidence to suggest that a significant
enemy build up is under way, but any increase in en-
emy activity here is bound to distract Vang Pao's
efforts against enemy operations in other more active
areas.*
Marginal visibility continues to impede. effec-
tive tactical air support to government forces. In-
tensive air strikes have caused lingering secondary
fires that contribute to the haze and smog overlying
much of the Plaine. The enemy is well aware,of this
situation and may be awaiting a further deterioration
of weather conditions before making.an all-out drive
against the Plaine. 25X1
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Approved For Release 2003/05/29g f 1A QT00975A015600030001-5
 Approved For Release 2003105/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975A015600030001-5
SECRET
South Vietnam: South Vietnamese forces appear
to have thwarted a major Communist push into the
northern reaches of the Mekong Delta.
During the past ten days, government regular
and territorial security forces have clashed with
elements of the North Vietnamese 88th Regiment at-
tempting to infiltrate through exposed terrain west
of the provincial. capital of Moc Hoa. In their
blocking actions, the South Vietnamese have killed
more than 200 enemy troops, while allied artillery
and air strikes have probably caught many more en-
emy retreating toward Cambodian sanctuary. The
regiment is believed to be trying to move to the
relative security of Communist Base Area 470, a re-
,doubt long used by the enemy to support military
operations in the upper delta provinces.
Captured documents and prisoner interrogations
have shed some light on the enemy's intentions in
this area. They indicate that the 88th--one of five
North Vietnamese regiments to move from III to IV
corps since mid-1969--has the mission of coordinat-
ing with indigenous Viet Cong local forces in dis-
rupting Vietnamization and pacification programs in
Dinh Tuong Province, including attacks on the im-
portant provincial capital of My Tho. Other poten-
tial targets in the province are the former US 9th
Division headquarters at Dong Tam, now the home of
the South Vietnamese 7th Division, and defensive
positions guarding Route 4--Saigon's lifeline to
the delta.
The ability of North Vietnamese regulars to
operate effectively in the northern delta, however,
may be sorely taxed by the geographical realities
of the region. The flat and often swampy terrain,
laced with canals,, offers little natural cover for
concealment of large military units or for active
s
l
upp
y lanes and storage areas.
16 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 SEGA-ET79T00975A015600030001-5
 Approved For Release 2003/05/29' 1 79T00975A015600030001-5
C Jordan: Tension between the fedayeen and the
government has lessened after King Husayn's press
conference, but the situation could easily flare up
again if the fedayeen push the King too hard.
Husayn at his press conference was generally
conciliatory and clearly was seeking to cool down
the situation. He sought to identify his motives
and objectives with those of the fedayeen, and to
attribute the eruption over his security decrees of
10 February to a "misunderstanding." At the same
time there was an evident undertone of toughness
in some of the King's remarks, particularly his'em-
phasis on the necessity of maintaining law and or-
der. Thus the King may balk if the fedayeen con-
tinue to press for complete abolition of the de-
crees.
The US Embassy feels that the King lost fur-
ther ground to the fedayeen as a result of the press
conference, but that it may be premature to conclude
that he has surrendered. The Embassy believes that
Husayn must act soon to reverse the present dr'
however, if he wants to avoid further trouble.
16 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/2?Epf79T00975A015600030001-5
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600030001-5
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600030001-5
 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 :&WR"1,T00975AO15600030001-5
Arms Control: The US-USSR draft treaty to
limit the use of the seabeds for military purposes
will be the priority item before the Geneva dis-
armament talks that resume tomorrow.
The treaty failed to obtain the UN General
Assembly's endorsement last fall because of objec-
tions to the lack of adequate verification arrange-
ments and the fears of some countries that the
terminology would jeopardize their maritime claims.
The revisions proposed by the US to meet these
problems have yet to be accepted by the Soviet Union
and certain other countries.
Several initiatives on chemical and biological
warfare (CBW) will also be considered. A Soviet
draft convention would prohibit the development,
production, and stockpiling of CBW agents and re-
quire the destruction of existing stocks. It is
notably lacking in provision for verification. A
British proposal, backed by the US, would prohibit
the use of biological methods of warfare.
A number of states are likely to push hard at
Geneva for a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing
and for a cut-off of production of fissionable
materials for use in nuclear weapons.--Prospects
for any agreement appear poor, however, until the
problem of adequate verification is resolved.
16 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 SEC.R P7 T00975AO15600030001-5
 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 SRijt~p
19T00975A015600030001-5
Spain-France: Spanish Foreign Minister Lopez
Bravo's warm reception in Paris last week will con-
tribute to closer relations and further Madrid's
aim to play a larger role in international affairs.
The most noteworthy aspect of the visit was
the signing of an agreement for Spanish purchase of
30 Mirage aircraft. A substantial amount of the
work will be performed in Spain, with a consequent
benefit to the Spanish economy.
According to both foreign ministers, the two
countries were in almost total agreement on inter-
national questions. France will support Spain's
wish to conclude a preferential trade agreement with
the European Communities to be followed eventually
by association and then membership.
Lopez Bravo emphasized to the French that in
developing closer ties, Spain did not wish to de-
tract from its cordial relations with its present
allies. Spain may expect, however, that improved
relations with France will help to avoid excessive
dependence on the US and will increase Spain's bar-
gaining power in the upcoming negotiations on the
future of the joint bases in Spain.
The US defense attache in Madrid believes that
the heavy cost of the Mirage purchase may lead the
Spaniards to ask that F-4s be supplied as part of
military aid in the new agreement to be negotiated
with the US. The Spanish Air Force still wants
F-4s as part of its modernization program.
16 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 s _,-It"r9T00975A015600030001-5
 Approved For Release 2003/05/29 SP C-RWVT00975A015600030001-5
NOTES
Somalia: The beginning of a three-day reli-
gious holiday early this week could prompt demon-
strations against the military regime. The govern-
ment at this time has customarily distributed bonuses
to government employees, including the army and po-
lice. This year, however, it has announced that no
bonuses would be paid and that other economy measures
would be made affecting the civil service.
Uruguay: President Pacheco has moved against
a center of leftist opposition to his government by
taking over control of the formerly autonomous sec-
ondary and vocational schools. The President acted
to halt the deterioration of Uruguay's public educa-
tion system and to lessen the political influence of
leftist and Communist-dominated student and teacher
organizations. Criticism has already been heard,
from a usually progovernment newspaper as well as
from the left, and the President's move against the
traditionally autonomous educational system promises
to become a hot political issue. Pacheco acted dur-
ing a-period of calm and with no visible immediate
16 Feb 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 :IRET A-RDP79TOO975AO15600030001-5
 Sp ed For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975A015600030001-5
Secret
Approved For Release 2003/05/29 : CIA-RDP79T00975AO15600030001-5