SITUATION-IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300290011-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: March 31, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2000/08/30 0"444 ,1 QP)30IR290011-7
NSC BRIEFING 31 March 1955
SITUATION-IN SOUTH VIETNAM
I. Latest reports indicate no new outbreak
of fighting, but situation remains
+~. . 'c..
explosive
.
A. Diem wants to move against Binh
Xuyen, break their hold of national
police, drive their forces out of
Saigon.
B. General Ely counseling Diem to
go easy, fearful of Binh Xuyen
rea tion.k !`J M++.+,- L
C. Diem's position strengthened by
support of General Phuong,
commander of 8,000 Cao Dai troops;
latter has apparently broken with
Cao Dai "pope" who remains
bitterly anti-Diem.
II. Situation compounded by political crisis. -
A. Defense Minister resigned just
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Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : 0R01443R000300290011-7
took over defense portfolio.
B. Late report states Foreign minister
and two others have also resigned.
Sect strength
1. Binh Xuyen: 3500, in Saigon and suburbs
0
Hoa Hao: 19,600, located south and
gouthwest of Saigon
Cao Dai: 16,000, located mostly north
and northwest of Saigon.
Majority of these forces
reportedly have rallied to
government)
2. Reported casualties in 30 March fighting:
26 killed, 112 wounded.
_2_
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300290011-7