</s>176-10036-10179 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK ASSASSINTATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY : NARA RECORD NUMBER : 176-1006-1019 RECORD SERIES : National Security Files AGENCY FILE NUMBER: AGENCY FILE NUMBER :: ORIGINATOR : DOS FROM : TO : TITLE : Status Report on Southeast Asia DATE : 7/11/1962 PAGES : 10 SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 9/10/2000 OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : National Securty Files, Box 203: Vietnam Status 7/ 11/63. Box 1

Summary:  
This document is a classified status report dated July 11, 1962, prepared by the U.S. Department of State’s Task Force Southeast Asia. It details military and political developments in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia during the early stages of the Vietnam War. The report outlines assessments of the South Vietnamese government (GVN)’s progress against Viet Cong (VC) forces, international relations, and U.S. strategic initiatives. Key points include:  
- Military operations such as *Binh Minh* and *Hai Yen*, with mixed results;  
- GVN efforts to improve popular support through prisoner releases, anti-corruption campaigns, and strategic hamlet programs;  
- U.S. diplomatic engagement with Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, including border disputes and aid coordination;  
- Economic and military initiatives in Vietnam, such as defoliant testing and infrastructure projects;  
- Concerns over VC activities, supply shortages, and refugee movements (e.g., Montagard refugees).  

Key People:  
- Ngo Dinh Diem (South Vietnamese president)  
- Ngo Dinh Nhu (Diem’s brother, head of strategic hamlets program)  
- U.S. officials (Department of State, MACV, Embassy personnel)  
- Cambodian and Laotian leaders (e.g., RTO, GWN, GWW)  

Key Locations:  
- Vietnam (Saigon, Pleiku, Quang Ngai)  
- Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Preah Vihara Temple)  
- Thailand (Korat, Udom)  
- Laos (Geneva Conference, SEATO Council)  
- Burma (Rangoon)  

Key Events:  
- Continued Viet Cong military operations and casualties in Vietnam  
- GVN prisoner releases and anti-corruption efforts  
- U.S.-led aid coordination with donor nations  
- Border disputes between Cambodia and Vietnam  
- Defoliant testing and infrastructure projects in Vietnam  
- Montagard refugee movements and resettlement  

Key Organizations:  
- U.S. Department of State (Task Force Southeast Asia)  
- Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV)  
- South Vietnamese government (GVN)  
- International organizations (SEATO, ICC)  
- Cambodian Royal Government (RTO), Laotian government (GWN), and others

JFK Declassified Files

176-10036-10179.pdf

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