</s>176-10037-10494 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK ASSASSINTATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY : NARA RECORD NUMBER : 176-10033-1049A RECORD SERIES : National Security Files AGENCY FILE NUMBER: AGENCY FILE NUMBER # : National SECURITY Files ORIGINATOR : CIA FROM : TO : TITLE : Information Report Re: Strategic Hamlets DATE : 2/20/1962 PAGES : 5 SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 9/10/2000 OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : NSF: Countries: Vietnam, General, 2/62, Box 195. Box 185. Box 8.

Summary:  
This document is an information report from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) dated February 20, 1962, discussing Ngo Dinh Nhu’s views on the Strategic Hamlets Program in South Vietnam. Nhu, brother and political advisor to President Ngo Dinh Diem, outlined three main elements of the program: (1) leveraging traditional Vietnamese societal structures to organize rural communities, (2) modernizing Vietnamese life through infrastructure and economic initiatives, and (3) promoting democratization by establishing local governance systems. The report highlights Nhu’s belief that the program would address weaknesses in government cadres, enhance security for peasants, and reduce communist influence. It also notes discussions with government officials about administrative challenges and the need for local responsibility in implementing the program.  

Key People:  
- Ngo Dinh Nhu (brother of President Ngo Dinh Diem, political advisor)  
- Bui Van Luong (Minister of Interior)  

Key Locations:  
- South Vietnam  
- Saigon (Vietnam)  

Key Events:  
- Discussions on the Strategic Hamlets Program’s implementation and objectives  
- Analysis of administrative inefficiencies in government operations  
- Emphasis on modernization, security, and local governance reforms  

Key Organizations:  
- New Interministerial Commission (overseeing program execution)  
- U.S. military units (Field Dissism, Army, Navy, Air Force, CINCPAC, PACFLT, ARPAC, PACAF)

JFK Declassified Files

176-10037-10494.pdf

Document Summary

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