DEVELOPMENTS IN INDOCHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001100010028-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 15, 2008
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: March 29, 1973
• Content Type: SUMMARY

 DIRECTORATE OF
I N?1'n1,1.1GI:NCI3
LOAN COPY
Fo-Ac i to
lJet eiop;rents in Indochina
Top Secret
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l op secret
State Dept. review completed
i
29 March 1973
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29 March 1973
DEVELOPMENTS IN INDOCHINA
(Information at of 1500)
With an eye to his coming trip to the
US, Thieu has taken to the hustings in
an effort to improve the government's
image as well as to increase his own
popular standing.
A Khmer insurgent who recently
rallied provides some insights on the
training of Cambodians in North Vietnam.
Svay Rieng weathered an enemy attack
with the aid of US air strikes.
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Thieu, the: Politician
President, Thieu is taking new steps to improve
his government's image and to increase his own stand-
ing with the people. This week he traveled to Can
Tho for ceremonies commemorating the third anni-
versary of the Land Reform Law. The President made
an address citing the success of land reform and
announcing a new five-year economic development
program that is to stress agricultural development.
He also promised sweeping administrative reforms to
promote greater local autonomy and to rid the local
bureaucracy of corruption. According to the US
Embassy, Thieu appeared to relish the role oi a
political campaigner and received a warm welcome from
his Can Tho audience.
Thieu also acted this week to relieve three
province chiefs of their duties, according to the
official Vietnam press. The three had been charged
with corruption by the Inspectorate, and Thieu
has asked Vice President Huong to conduct investi-
gations so that they can be prosecuted.
The timing of Thieu's actions has been motivated
in part by his coming trip to the US, during which
he hopes to get commitments for additional economic
aid. Thieu also is trying to increase popular sup-
port for his government in the political struggle
with the Viet Cong. His call for administrative
reform and for economic development in the rural
areas was first outlined at a meeting with province
chiefs early this month. Thieu has emphasized the
importance of rural areas because this is where the
Viet Cong are in closest contact with the people.
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CAMBODIA
A RaZZier Reports
The interrogation of a young Khmer insurgent
provided some insight into the training of Cambodians
in North Vietnam. Along with approximately 200 Khmer
from Cambodia and South Vietnam, the rallier left for
North Vietnam The group arrived at the
"Vietnamese-Khmer Friendship School" in the Hanoi area
According to the rallier, the
and run by Cambodians. Most of the trainees at the
school were Khmer, along with some Laotians and some
montagnards from South Vietnam.
school was a reception and administration center staffed
The rallier received several years of training
in the vicinity of the school, after six months of
Vietnamese language training for him and his class
of 400. There was then a year of political and ideo- 25X1
logical indoctrination, followed by military training.
The class spent two years studying all. types of weap-
ons and sabotage,
in i ra ion group consisted of
800 returnees, but only about 500 arrived in Kratie
Province in March 1971 because many fell sick or died
en route.
The rallier said that he finally decided to quit
the insurgents' ranks because he disliked the spartan
life he had to lead in North Vietnam and the lack of
freedom that existed in "liberated" areas of Cambodia.
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The MiZitary Situation
The southeastern city of Svay Rieng was heavily
attacked for the first time in several months on 27
and 28 March, but the attacks were repulsed with the
aid of US air strikes. A Khmer insurgent rallier
indicated that elements of a North Vietnamese regi-
ment may have participated in the attacks.
There has been no change in the situation along
Route 1 north of Neak Luong, and the insurgents still
hold a short segment of Route 4 northeast of Kompong
Som. Government troops attempting to clear Route 4
had 19 killed and 87 wounded on 27 March. To the
east, the insurgents are continuing to put pressure
on government positions a few miles sovith and west
of the town of Takeo.
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