ANNEX TO THE SITUATION IN INDOCHINA NO. 3

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00353R000100160006-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 11, 2003
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 1, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

25X1
Approved
EXCLUSIVE FOR: THE WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Mr.. Habib,
EYES ONLY
25X1
ANNEX
to
The Situation in Indochina
.N4o. 3
1. The attitudes of South Vietnam's military
leaders will'of course be crucial in determining the
government's and Thieu's durability. Former prime
minister Khiem's actions will also be important.
Although there are no reliable indications so far
that senior military leaders or Khiem--a former mili-
tary commander and by rank South Vietnam's senior
general--are ready to move against Thieu, the feel--
ing seems to be growing that Thieu should step aside.
2. South Vietnam's press director, Nguyen
Ngoc Bich, told a US official this morning that re-
action to President Thieu.'s, speech yesterday among
"many Air Force officers" was one of extreme anger
and that there was talk of a "bloody solution"-to
the removal of'Thieu. Bich interpreted these com-
ments, to mean that a bombing of the palace or an
assassination attempt might be made shortly. He
claimed that "all armed forces" were now beginning
to rally around former Vice President qty, but that Ky
himself was not among those who were plotting violence.
Bich also stated that Military Region 3 commander
General Toan had been trying unsuccessfully all day
to get an appointment with Thieu.. Toan reportedly
wants to assure Thieu of his personal loyalty but
intends nevertheless to ask him to step down for the
good of the country.
DOS review(s) completed.
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