ONE/FE REQUEST FOR GEOGRAPHIC STUDY OF SABAH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00825R000100620003-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 28, 2000
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: November 5, 1968
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2000/05/31 : CIA-RDP84-008
5 November 1968
Chief, BGI/GD
1011 Magazine Bldg. 25X1A
SUBJECT : ONE/FE Request for Geographic Study of Sabah
REFERENCE : Telecon of 1 November 1968 with
Chief, BGI/GD/F.
1. We are requesting the preparation of a geographic
study on the Malaysian state of Sabah, currently the subject
of an international dispute.
2. We believe that the Sabah dispute is likely to
remain unsettled for some time, at least until after the
November 1969 Philippine elections, and that a study pre-
pared by your office would help analysts in ONE/FE and else-
where in the intelligence community who are currently seeking
better perspectives on the issue. The value of the study
would be greater if it could be completed relatively early,
say by the first of March.
The elements of greatest interest to this office
in such a study are: a very concise historical background
GROUP I
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
S E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2000/05/31 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000100620003-5
 Approved For Release 2000/05/31 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000100620003-5
of the dispute, including some judgments on the merits of
the Philippine case; the demographic aspects of the situation,
including ethnic links to the Sulu region; the present and
potential economic value of the territory; and those physical
elements related to the feasibility of Philippine paramilitary
activity in the area or along its shores. In connection with
the last point, the preparation of a map large enough in scale
to permit analysts to follow any such activity would be
especially helpful.
4. of this office
are the working-level analysts most closely concerned with
The Sabah issue.
Chief, FE Staff
Office of National
Estimates
S E-C-R-E-T
Approved For Release 2000/05/31 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000100620003-5