INDOCHINA POLITICAL

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80R01443R000200340004-0
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
7
Document Creation Date: 
November 9, 2016
Document Release Date: 
December 3, 1998
Sequence Number: 
4
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
June 24, 1954
Content Type: 
BRIEF
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP80R01443R000200340004-0.pdf147.06 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 1999/ OR01443R000200340004-0 NSC,BRIEFING 24 June 1954 INDOCHINA POLITICAL I. Re Bao Dai, it becoming less likely 25XF1X6 he will return Vietnam, A. Good report says most French and Vietnamese plans call for his dismissal. B. But we feel Bao Dai will not be easily fired. He may well try to stay in France and pull strings from there. II. Able Governor Tri of Tonkin trying to find government to which address his resignation. A. He fears immoral French abandonment loyal population of southern delta. 25X1-X6 ^ Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP80R01443R000200340004-0 Aplproved For Relep@X ,9Oi-rLTIA-RDP80RO1443R000200340004-0 B. fears sudden plea from Tri or Vietnam government to US for Dunkirk-like sea lift of sizable part Tonkin population. III. One of key French officials Indochina emphasizes disintegration in Central and South Vietnam. A. He says Vietnam army not now a defense but a danger. B. Also says Viet Minh sending battle-hardened Tonkinese cadres to South Vietnam to stiffen its forces there. Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000200340004-0 SECRET Approved For Release 443R000200340004-0 III. Source says French believe 500 potential Viet Minh truck drivers sent from delta to Thai Nguyen area will replace bor- drivers. rowed Chinese 25X1X7 A. 25X1X700240001 _ Preparation for possible inspections by neutral nations following agreements Geneva. IV. Cogny believes battle corps delta 25X1X7 perimeter ready move "at any time." A. Says if he were Viet Minh commander, he would have attacked delta two weeks ago. 1. Cogny thinks political considerations might explain delay. large quantities Chinese aid crossed border past several weeks. Approved For Release 1999/09/08: CIA-RDP80RO1443R000200340004-0 Approved For Release 1 P80 R01443 R000200340004-0 A. Materiel largely ammo and heavy weapons; 36 to 50 105mm howitzers 70 36-MM RWIAO'SS RIF40S RNn 6 HumeARRLUFb RoekEr kA&*e#k-RS B. French opinion: materiel destined for Thai Nguyen area, where enemy's nine battalions in training may eventually constitute new division, possibly artillery. VI. Regardless plans major assault, early intensification delta activity fore- cast. "Indications" that Division 320 plus some irregulars ordered prepare for action on 1 July in southern delta area. One regiment Division 304 also may be involved. TN U5, FoR F,R s T TIME, A v#tr WRoH 7aZ&AJ ,BCEN Pwc/ HAY BE CROSS/NC rAJro THE DE47-49 PRORER. Approved For Release 1999/09/0 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000200340004-0 TOP SECRET TOP SECRET Approved For Release D P80 R01443 R000200340004-0 1. French undecided whether this would be part of attack on entire delta or only limited campaign. B. Strong additional attacks Hanoi-Haiphong LOC by several enemy battalions expected. 1. Units may first turn against Ke Sat-Hung Yen route, isolate strategic Hung Yen. C. Report of 37mm AA defenses near Haiduong, just east of Ke Sat, suggests enemy plans for increased action that area, possibly in conjunction with interdiction Hung Yen route. 1. Bridge across Thai Binh River there most vulnerable link Hanoi-Haiphong LOC. Approved For Release 1999/09/Offi: CIA-RDP80R01443R000200340004-0 TOP SECRET Approved For Releas T - ?~ RDP80R01443R000200340004-0 VII. New plan: retain French units southern delta. A. French apparently wish avoid reorganization in face enemy threat, also doubt Vietnamese ability hold area. B. Extent insecurity southern delta indicated by closing THE (.r R&CAi spinning and weaving mill$ in Nam Dinh; this one of largest manufacturing enter- prises in Indochina. i VIII. Meanwhile, security five once-safe provinces South Vietnam said by Vietnamese officer to have deteriorated markedly last half year. Approved For Release 1999/09/68 : CIA-RDP80R01443R000200340004-0 TOP SECRET Approved For Release 19SW-O- r~ rare=Q DP80R01443R000200340004-0 A. He blames poor pay, inadequate arms local militia and corrup- tion, incompetence local governments; says Vietnamese army "concerned much more with tailoring of uniform and unearned decorations than with primary purpose of combating Communist enemy." B. His opinion--unless remedied, "all would be lost" these provinces within two or three months. Approved For Release 1999/09/09: CIA-RDP80R01443R000200340004-0 TOP SECRET