CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A017000030001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 11, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 24, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Secret
State Department review completed
24 August 1970
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No. 0202/70
24 August 1970
Central Intelligence Bulletin
CONTENTS
Cambodia: The government is reacting strongly to
the latest alleged depredations by South Vietnam-
ese troops in Cambodia. (Page 1)
Laos: Enemy opposition stiffens (Page 2)
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Cambodia: The government is reacting strongly
to the latest incident involving alleged depreda-
tions by South Vietnamese troops in Cambodia.
Prime Minister Lon Nol sent two high-ranking
officials to brief the US charge on an ambush of a
small Cambodian convoy in Svay Rieng Province, which
forms the "parrot's beak," on 21 August by South
Vietnamese troops. Three Cambodians, including two
officers, were killed. The Cambodians claim that,
prior to the ambush, the South Vietnamese unit had
swept through the countryside molesting and stealing
from Cambodian villagers. The South Vietnamese have
apologized for the ambush and have told Cambodian
authorities that ten culprits have been arrested,
but Phnom Penh has not been appeased.
The charge was told that incidents of stealing
and smuggling occurred daily and that the South Viet-
namese were contemptuous of Cambodian authority in
the area. The Cambodian officials also stated that
Lon Nol is "increasingly fed up" and is even consid-
ering sending an armored battalion into the area to
"control ARVN." Although the Cambodians apparently
did not request any US action, the briefing is evi-
dence of the seriousness with which Lon Nol views
the situation.
The continuing misbehavior of South Vietnamese
troops is almost certainly becoming an important po-
litical liability for Lon Nol, who is held partly
responsible for their presence in Cambodia. Even
sophisticated Cambodian officials have been appalled
by the contrast between the behavior of ARVN and the
Vietnamese Communists, who with few exceptions have
tried to ingratiate themselves with Cambodian vil-
lagers.
For its part, Saigon has taken steps to impose
stricter discipline on its forces, who have been be-
having better than in the early days of the Cambodian
operation. Many of the stories reaching Phnom Penh
are probably exaggerated, but the Cambodians are in-
clined to believe the worst about their allies.
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NOTES
Laos: The government offensive southwest of
the Plaine des Jarres has run into stiff enemy op-
position. Taking advantage of poor flying weather,
elements of the North Vietnamese 174th Regiment have
mounted a series of sharp counterattacks against
government elements attempting to recapture the base
at Ban Na. Additional guerrillas are now pushing
into the Ban Na area from the south in an attempt.
to relieve the pressure. On the political front,
there has been no progress in efforts to get talks
under way at Khan Khay
the Patzet Lao are upset over
the inclusion of prominent rightists in the govern-
ment's delegation to Khang Khay, arguing that it
violates an understanding with Prime Minister Sou-
vanna that participants in the next round of talks
will be confined to the neutralists the Commu-
nists,
24 Aug 70
Central Intelligence Bulletin
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