CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00975A017600070001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 27, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 23, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Central Intelligence Bulletin
Secret
41
23 November 1970
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Nom 0280/70
23 November 1970
Central Intelligence Bulletin
LAOS: The military lull has ended on the Bolovens
Plateau. (Page 1)
SYRIA: The composition of the provisional govern-
ment strengthens Asad's hand. (Page 2)
LIBYA: A referendum may be held on union with
Egypt and Sudan. (Page 3)
CHILE: Strains are becoming evident between Al-
lende and the Christian Democrats. (Page 4)
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GUINEA: The invasion seems to be a Portuguese-
backed operation against the Toure government.
(Page 7)
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Communist-controlled territory
Contested territory
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LAOS: Communist forces have overrun the prin-
cipal government bases on the southeastern rim of
the Bolovens Plateau.
The prolonged lull in significant military ac-
tivity on the Bolovens ended abruptly on 22 November
as widespread attacks were made on Laotian guerrilla
positions by an estimated three North Vietnamese bat-
talions. The Communists succeeded in taking the two
key government bases on the plateau ten miles north-
west of Attopeu as well as four other outposts in
the same general area. In addition, enemy forces
seized a guerrilla base camp just east of the pla-
teau about 30 miles north of Attopeu.
It is too early to tell whether the North Viet-
namese intend to hold these positions. Government
air strikes were directed against enemy units through-
out the day on 22 November, and irregular forces are
regrouping for counterattacks. If the Communists
succeed in consolidating their gains, the govern-
ment's capacity to harass enemy supply and troop
movements through this region could be substantially
affected.
23 Nov 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin 1
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SYRIA: Hafiz Asad has made further moves to-
ward consolidating his power position.
In the provisional government named on 20 No-
vember, Asad appointed himself prime minister and
retained the Defense Ministry, which he had held un-
der the previous regime, while dropping members of
the civilian wing of the Baath Party that he ousted
on 13 November. The new 26-man cabinet also contains
six members who favor union with Egypt. The inclu-
sion of two Communists is probably meant to reassure
the USSR that no sudden change in policy is in store.
23 Nov 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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LIBYA: A referendum may be held to determine
popular support for Qaddafi's plan for a union with
Egypt and Sudan.
Anti-Egyptian feeling is endemic in Libya, and
disillusionment with the RCC, which surfaced after
the initial popularity of the revolution in Septem-
ber 1969, has not been dispelled by Qaddafi's pen-
chant for close ties with Egypt. Many Libyans be-
lieve that domestic problems should take top prior-
ity in the RCC, a view thought to be shared by
several of its members.
Considering the trouble it could cause for
Qaddafi, the RCC, and the Egyptians themselves--who
seem determined not to repeat their unhappy exper-
iment at union with Syria--the actual holding of a
referendum on the unity proposal remains open to
question. Even so, the RCC has been able to hang
together despite internal differences in the first
year since the coup. The Libyan Army, stiffened
by Egyptian troops and security personnel in Libya,
has stood firmly behind the RCC.
23 Nov 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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CHILE: Friction is increasing between the
Allende government and the Christian Democratic
Party (PDC) of former president Frei.
It is becoming clear that the PDC's support
for Allende in the congressional runoff does not
guarantee that the new government will not attack
PDC interests. Christian Democratic bureaucrats
are retaining their jobs with increasing difficulty,
and a Communist-led strike at an important PDC pub-
lishing house threatens to bankrupt the company.
As a result, PDC legislators are marshaling their
forces to oppose some of Allende's economic pro-
posals.
As these conflicts become stronger, the more
extreme members of Allende's coalition are urging
the President to take harsher measures against PDC
interests. A leftist columnist who is a close
friend of Allende has already begun hinting that
PDC "rightists" are trying to sabotage the govern-
ment's program.
23 Nov 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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SPANISH
A TL A .NTI C OCEA.\'
SAHARA J
ALGERIA
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C GUINEA: The invading force that landed in
Conakry yesterday seems to be a Portuguese-backed
commando operation against the government of Pres-
ident Toure.
The intruding force, which Toure says consists
of some 350 "European and African mercenaries," was
ferried ashore early Sunday morning from at least
four unmarked vessels clearly visible from the port
of Conakry. The attackers captured two important
military camps in the capital. Other main targets,
both of which sustained heavy physical damage, were
the President's suburban compound and the headquar-
ters of the guerrilla movement that has been rela-
tively successful in neighboring Portuguese Guinea.
Toure has allowed the guerrillas to use Guinean ter-
ritory as a rest and staging area and has also fun-
neled Soviet arms to them.
No Guinean leaders appear to have been seized
or injured by the invaders. The government retained
control of the radio, which by last night was claim-
ing that the intruders had been suppressed. Sporadic
firing occurred during the night, however, and more
fighting may be in the offing. Guinean leaders ex-
pect the ships that landed the strike force to re-
turn, either to pick up the men or to land more.
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Central Intelligence Bulletin
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Lisbon may have hoped the bold invasion would
spark an internal uprising against Toure and bring
to power a new government indebted to Portuguese aid.
Failing that, the Portuguese may hope at least to
frighten Toure into reducing his aid to the insurgents
in Portuguese Guinea and to humiliate his regime by
staging a successful commando operation. Publicly,
Portuguese officials are denying any involvement in
the affair. F7 I
23 Nov 70 Central Intelligence Bulletin
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