THE SITUATION IN INDOCHINA (AS OF 1600 EDST) NO. 19

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86T00608R000300070027-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 23, 2004
• Sequence Number: 27
• Publication Date: April 20, 1975
• Content Type: IM

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
? Directorate of Intelligence
20 April 1975
The Situation in Indochina
(As of 1600 EDST)
No. 19
VIETNAM
Military Action
1. Fighting is reported continuing along Route 1
just 15 miles east of Bien Hoa as the North Vietnamese
attack South Vietnamese forces retreating from the Xuan
Loc battlefield. The communists are also continuing to
direct artillery fire at the Bien Hoa airbase.
2. There are unc,:,nfirmed reports that large numbers
of North Vietnamese troops have crossed the Vain Co Dong
River and have overrun the Ben Luc District town 12
miles southwest of Saigon. These forces are reportedly
moving toward Binh Chanh District town, about five miles
to the north. Capture of these two to-v:ns would give the
North Vietnamese control of Route 4 north of the main
South Vietnamese defense line in Long An Province and
allow them to advance directly against the souchwester.n.
section of Saigon.
Communists Take Tougher Line
3. The Communists appear to be ruling out any consid-
oration of a genuine negotiated settlement of the conflict.
At a press; con`orencn in Saigon Saturday, the Viet Cong's
spokesman carefully avoided mention of negotiations with.
the present government or even a reconstituted one such
as they had been demanding. Instead, he reiterated the
Viet Cong's position of March 21 Frhich called for the
overthrow of Thieu and the immediate suspension of all
US support as the only two preconditions which could
bring about a "rapid settlement."
NSA review completed
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4. An equally tough line r.epor. Ledly emerc d from
a seereL briefing, of. senior Communist officials in 25X1
COSVN one the 9th- or 7.0th of il, accordin-f C
ICOSVN belicvod the
w o e ling would be finished in a short time and
that the Communists would not agree to enter into
negotiations, nor would they join any tri ar?tite
coalition government. the issue 25X1
of US aid had become aca emjC , since victory would
be achieved before the South Vietnamese could absorb
the new appropriations.
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