MONTHLY REPORT -- BANGKOK BUREAU -- FEBRUARY 1986

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 21, 2012
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: March 5, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
5 March 1986
MBK-6003
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH: Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT: Monthly Report -- Bangkok Bureau -- February 1986
A. The crisis and subsequent revolution in the Philippines following
the 7 February elections held the rapt attention of everyone during the
month. The Bureau's new ROSET permitted coverage of the PHILIPPINE NEWS
AGENCY, BERNAMA, and ANTARA from the OANA press agency pool which resulted
in a surprising 119,600 publishable words filed from these sources -- most
of it on the crisis. Systematic cruising work proceeded briskly during
the month despite a faulty antenna control unit on the analyst dish which
made it difficult to move from one satellite to another. Analysis of the
material available on satellite should proceed more quickly once things
settle down in the Philippines and the operational dish becomes freer.
B. An "Indochina Coordination Group" chaired by the DCM was
established during the month with the FBIS bureau chief as a permanent
member. Meetings are held several times a month with representatives of a
number of sections and agencies in attendance to discuss and exchange
information on substantive matters dealing with Indochina. In this way
the Embassy expects to better coordinate the Mission's reporting on
Indochina, and the inclusion of the Bureau Chief as a founding member
attests to the increased importance attached to the contributions FBIS is
able to make.
Monitorial/Editorial
--------------------
1. Extensive cruising efforts were devoted to the Philippine
media during the crisis, and the BBC, in a message to the three Far East
bureaus involved, indicated the overall effort had been "invaluable." On
the 24th, it appeared the Bureau might be out of the Philippine crisis
coverage when PNA offices were "stormed by angry demonstrators" and the
news agency fell silent. However, PNA resumed operations on the 27th
following the change in government and has, if anything, been filing more
copy than before.
2. The clandestine "Voice of the People of Burma," the
mouthpiece of the illegal Communist Party of Burma, resumed broadcasting
on 1 February. It had last been heard on 16 April 1985. On the 23d, it
broadcast an "Appeal" approved by the party in October 1985 in which it
stated its willingness to "discuss and exchange views with any patriotic
persons and political organizations" the implementation of three points,
one of which was the "dismantling of the single-party dictatorship and
giving democratic rights to the people."
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
3. Early in the month Thai and Malaysian troops carried out
operations along their joint border against communist insurgents in an
effort to root out guerrillas who have long used the dense jungles to
protect their camps. As an apparent result, the clandestine "Voice of the
People of Malaysia" has not been heard since 10 February. According to a
Bangkok newspaper report, Thai troops overran a guerrilla communications
camp which reportedly housed the stations. As of the end of the month the
clandestine station had not yet resumed broadcasting.
4. ROSET cruising efforts during the month concentrated on the
Intelsat at 63 East, the Insat at 74 East, and the Soviet satellite at 80
East. Videotapes containing pass feed television programs requested by
MOD along with a tape of Moscow television for MOD to evaluate were sent
to Headquarters. FAX transmissions on the 80E Soviet satellite are being
recorded for evaluation by Engineering Support Group. A number of Indian
press agencies were located on the 63E and 74E satellites along with a
number of interesting looking radial and tributary press casts from
Indochina countries on the 80E Soviet satellite.
B. Communications
--------------
Lengthy outages on 4-5 and 13-16 February and lesser outages at
other times plagued the bureau during the month. At times the outages
involved both the primary and the altroute leaving the Bureau dependent on
telex. While some of the problems on the primary circuit involved local
difficulties the majority were at the Clark AFB facility. STAT
Computer problems at Clark accounted for some of the outages; however, on
at least seven occasions the Bureau was not informed of the nature of the
problem. Outages on the primary circuit for the month totalled 45 hours
and 47 minutes.
C. Lateral Services
----------------
1. As a result of a conversation the Bureau Chief had with
members of the Embassy Political Section, AG was asked to assess Vietnam's
current foreign policy stance for indications of softening on some issues.
While no softening was noted, the analysis was well received for its
professionalism and rapid delivery.
2. The Bureau expanded the material being provided the
Australian Embassy to include not only the material from the clandestine
"Voice of the People of Burma" now being received, but also all material
from the media of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to include material on
Indochina from other sources.
D. Technical
1. The boardmen at Bang Ping have been trained in the basics of
some of the operations of ROSET equipment, such as moving the operational
dish from satellite to satellite, peaking the signals, and assisting in
moving the dish manually as required. Further training is proceeding as
appropriate and as time permits.
2. The Bureau received the following accountable property: 1 ea
Sony ICF 2001D radio receiver SN 34418.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
III. ADMINISTRATION
Personnel
1. was promoted to GS-10 on 2 February.
2. A candidate was chosen for the new receptionist position
during the month and processing is underway.
Chief, Bangkok Bureau
STAT
STAT
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
I. TOTALS FROM ALL SOURCES:
TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH:
TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH:
TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTH:
638,030
309,740
1,412
BROAD-
CASTS
PRESS PUBLI-
AGENCIES CATION
II. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE:
(minutes or issues per week)
III. OUTPUT FROM ROSET SOURCES:
(publishable words per month)
21,310
min.
20,420
min.
254.00
issues
INDONESIA
Jakarta ANTARA in
English
7,820
MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur BERNAMA in
English
34,160
PHILIPPINES
Manila PNA in
English
77,610
IV. OUTPUT FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES:
(publishable words per month)
Melbourne Overseas Service in
English
BANGLADESH
Dhaka Domestic Service in
English
Dhaka Overseas Service in
Bengali
Dhaka BSS in
English
Dhaka THE BANGLADESH OBSERVER in
English
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
Page 2
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATION
BRUNEI
Kuala Belait THE BORNEO BULLETIN in
English 230
BURMA
Rangoon Domestic Service in
Burmese
Rangoon WORKING PEOPLE'S DAILY in
English
CAMBODIA
Phnom Penh Domestic Service in
Cambodian
Phnom Penh SPK in
English
Phnom Penh SPK in
French
CHINA
7,720
Beijing International Service in
Thai 1,440
Beijing in
Cambodian to Cambodia 1,840
Beijing in
Malay to Malaysia 300
CLANDESTINE
(Clandestine) Voice of Democratic Kampuchea in
Cambodian
(Clandestine) Voice of Malayan Democracy in
Malay
(Clandestine) Voice of The National Army Democratic Kampuchea in
Cambodian
(Clandestine) Voice of the Khmer in
Cambodian
(Clandestine) Voice of the People of Burma in
Burmese
INDIA
Delhi Domestic Service in
English 47,120
Delhi Domestic Service in
Urdu 250
Delhi General Overseas Service in
English 4,570
Delhi ISI Diplomatic Information Service in
English
Delhi NATIONAL HERALD in
English
15,030
4,820
11,250
15,190
5,260
3,450
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATION
Delhi THE HINDUSTAN TIMES in
English
INDONESIA
Jakarta Domestic Service in
Indonesian
3,630
Jakarta International Service in
English
1,080
Jakarta BERITA BUANA in
Indonesian
1,150
Jakarta JAKARTA POST in
English
Jakarta KOMPAS in
370
Indonesian
Jakarta MERDEKA in
380
Indonesian
3,970
Jakarta THE INDONESIA TIMES in
English
LAOS
Vientiane Domestic Service in
Lao 26,120
Vientiane KPL in
English
21,890
Vientiane PASASON in
Lao
12,320
Kuala Lumpur Domestic Service in
English 2,550
Kuala Lumpur Domestic Service in
Malay 1,240
Kuala Lumpur International Service in
English 6,290
Kuala Lumpur BERITA HARIAN in
Malay
80
Kuala Lumpur BERITA MINGGU in
Malay
170
Kuala Lumpur NEW STRAITS TIMES in
English
2,960
Kuala Lumpur UTUSAN MALAYSIA in
Malay
520
NEPAL
Katmandu External Service in
English
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
Page 4
Karachi Domestic Service in
English
Karachi Domestic Service in
Urdu
Karachi Overseas Service in
Urdu
SINGAPORE
Singapore Domestic Service in
English
Singapore THE STRAITS TIMES in
English
SRI LANKA
Colombo Domestic Service in
English
Colombo International Service in
English
Colombo DAILY NEWS in
English
THAILAND
Bangkok Domestic Service in
English
Bangkok Domestic Service in
Thai
Bangkok First Army Division Radio in
Thai
Bangkok Television Service in
Thai
Bangkok Voice of Free Asia in
Cambodian
Bangkok Voice of Free Asia in
English
Bangkok Voice of Free Asia in
Thai
Bangkok BANGKOK POST in
English
Bangkok BANGKOK WORLD in
English
Bangkok LAK THAI in
Thai
Bangkok MATICHON in
Thai
Bangkok NAEO NA in
Thai
Bangkok SIAM RAT SAPDA WICHAN in
Thai
Bangkok SIAM RAT in
Thai
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATION
3,690
11,490
2,210
1,800
1-0,010
1,300
2, 660
8,320
1,760
2,740
1,250
2,020
2,780
27,150
7,100
300
2,700
2,530
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7
BROAD-
CASTS
Page 5
PRESS PUBLI-
AGENCIES CATION
THAILAND (continued)
Bangkok THAI RAT in
Thai
3,521)
Bangkok THE NATION in
English 32,810
UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
Moscow in
Burmese to Burma 2,810
Moscow in
Cambodian to Cambodia
1,370
Moscow in
Urdu to Pakistan 1,020
UNITED KINGDOM
London BBC World Service in
English
Hanoi
Domestic Service in
Vietnamese
54,440
Hanoi
International Service in
English
5,280
Hanoi VNA in
English
Hanoi NHAN DAN in
Vietnamese
Hanoi QUAN DOI NHAN DAN in
Vietnamese
20,640
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/21 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100030011-7