SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300290009-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 30, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

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SOUTH VIETNAM
I. Uneasy truce reigns in Saigon, following
government'.s repulse of armed attacks by
elements of Binh Xuyen gangster society.
A. After midnight 29 March, lobbed mortar
'shells on premier's palace and attacked
,police headquarters; attack broken up
by army's 37mm cannon fire.
B. Light casualties on both sides; actual
fighting lasted about four hours.
II. Binh Xuyen, greatly outnumbered, will prob-
ably seek to bolster shaky "United Front"
of sects before taking further action.
A. Government has at least seventeen bat-
talions (some 13,000 troops) in Saigon
and environs; morale reported high.
B. Binh Xuyen has about 3,000 (of total
4, 500) in Saigon area..
\Ak& Ho-w
C. Hoa Hao forces mainly in western Cochin-
china, not in position to support Binh
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major sect generals--one Cao Da.i, one
Hoa Hao--whose armed followings number
more than 10,000.
III. As usual, most disturbing factor in develop-
ing situation is Bao Da.i..
A. His reaction to restoration of police to
government authority unknown but un-
doubtedly adverse.
B. So long as Binh Xuyen held police, Bao
Da,i was confident that Diem would not
become too strong to handle.
C. Bao Dai will be strongly tempted to take
action designed to curb premier's power.
D. May get help from officials of the French
Secretariat for Associated States in
Paris, who are shaping up their own pro-
posa.l for revision of Vietnamese execu-
tive office.
1. Scheme would involve almost total
eclipse of Diem by his enemies.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RQI~8.OR01443R000300290009-0