446. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State1
1817. FYI. During the late spring and summer of this year, an experiment was launched in Quang Ngai Province in which the Quang Ngai representatives of [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] played important and complementary roles. The common purpose was to try a new blend of psywar, civic action, and intelligence factors in order to get at and root out the Viet Cong apparatus which was rapidly digging itself into the provinces immediately around Quang Ngai City. This original need was first recognized by a Vietnamese official, the Quang Ngai police chief, with American involvement originating at his request. This initial experiment had as its product a team of forty specially trained and specially armed persons, operating directly under control of Quang Ngai Province Chief and, under him, District Chief of the district surrounding Quang Ngai City. The original purpose, as stated above, seems to have been successful to the degree that the local population in area of the team’s operation has been changed in attitude from one which was fearful of and responsive to the local Viet Cong, to an attitude which practical experience has demonstrated has made that district difficult and even dangerous for Viet Cong to operate in. Thus success of this experiment, in terms of its objectives, seems to be considerable.
In addition to original team, five additional similar teams have subsequently been created and committed to identical work within Quang Ngai Province. [6–1/2 lines of source text not declassified]
[Page 998]I feel this kind of activity may have significant impact on problem of rural pacification at the household, village, and district level. [8–1/2 lines of source text not declassified]
[1 paragraph (9–1/2 lines of source text) not declassified]
Minister of Interior Vien, under whose purview province chiefs fall, is totally in support and is eager to endorse this program in whatever province it may be introduced. As initial [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] survey of six provinces in the North, just completed, indicates understanding and receptivity on the part of the province chiefs concerned. Further expansion will take place as rapidly as possible. We have still to [1–1/2 lines of source text not declassified] avoid raising some of the difficulties encountered in the CIDG program.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Vietnam Country File, Vol. XXIII, Memos. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC. Attached to the source text was a memorandum from McGeorge Bundy to the President, dated December 15, which stated: “We don’t get an awful lot of good news from Saigon, and this one is of real interest.” The President had written across the memorandum: “I’d like to see this accelerated.”↩