BUNKER'S 19TH WEEKLY (SAIGON 5060, 6 SEPTEMBER 67))

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01720R000500070031-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 12, 2004
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: September 7, 1967
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Relefte 2004/08/19 : CIA-RDP80RO172OR000600070031-2
SECRET
D
7 September 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: Bunker's 19th Weekly (Saigon 5060, 6 September 67
25X1
1. As might be expected, the bulk of Ambassador Bunker's report
deals mainly with the elections, the results thereof, the excellent manner
in which the elections were conducted, and the favorable impressions made
on the team of observers and the experts who accompanied them. Almost
all of this has been previously and thoroughly reported by the Station,
State, and the press. Ambassador Bunker appears particularly pleased
with the favorable observations of the Australian and New Zealand ambassadors
toward the elections and the attitude of U. S. Congressman Wolff who arrived
as a skeptic and left with words of praise.
2. Of more importance in the report are paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and
12, in which Ambassador Bunker discusses the new problems facing the
government and recounts his post-election meeting with THIEU. I believe you
may find it useful to read these paragraphs directly.
3. The Ambassador continues on the details of the election, percentages,
etc. , all previously reported, and then devotes some, space to the surprise
showing of Truong Dinh DZU (and the fact that DZU latched onto the "peace"
issue only late in the campaign when he sensed the receptivity of his audiences)
and a run down on the showing made by the other major candidates. Bunker
feels the press conference to be held on 7 September (Saigon time) will be an
indicator of how far the other defeated candidates are prepared to support DZU
in denouncing the elections and the THIEU-KY victory.
4. You may want to look at paragraphs 35, 36 and 37, in which Bunker
discusses the National Liberation Front's revision of its political program.
Bunker feels this revision, the first change in six and one-half years, is
particularly significant because of its tie-in to Hanoi's four points for peace.
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5. The remainder of the political section of the Ambassador's
report enlarges on the problems facing the THIEU-KY government and the
fact that the Ambassador plans to counsel THIEU to be generous to the
defeated civilian candidates by including some of them in the new government
and to take no legal or other action against DZU. (We also face another
national election on 22 October for the Lower House; 1500 candidates are
expected to contest the 137 seats. )
6. The Ambassador concludes by saying "while the elections have
taken us a considerable step further down the road, there are still plenty of
potholes ahead. "
25X1
Vietnamese Affairs Staff
Attachment.,
State Cable
Approved For RelC - 80R01720R000500070031-2 5X1