CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Washington, D.C. 20505

17 Nov 75

Memorandum For:

Deputy Assistant Secretary for security Department of State

Director of Intelligence and security Department of State

Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Attn: Intelligence Division

Chief, Counterintelligence and Security Office (DIACI) Defense Intelligence Agency

Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence Department of the Air Force

Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence Department of the Army

Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence Department of the Navy

Director, Directorate of Special Operations HQ AFOSI (IVO)

Commander, 7602nd Air Intelligence Group, Air Force Intelligence Service, Fort Belvoir

Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army Attn: IOSO

Commander, U.S. Army Intelligence Agency Attn: MIIA-SO

Assistant Director (Security), United States Information Agency

Director, Office of Security, Agency for International Development

Director, National Security Agency

SUBJECT: The Responsibility of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Intelligence and Security services in the Exploitation of American Prisoners of War.

1. The attached study describes in part the responsibilities of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) intelligence and security services in the exploitation of American prisoners. The purpose of this dissemination is to illustrate the handling procedures, exploitation and requirements imposed by the DRV Lao Dong Party (Worker's Party) on American Prisoners. The paper also gives an insight into one aspect of the relationship between the DRV intelligence community and their counterparts in the Soviet KGB and the Communist Chinese Ministry of Public Security. The information presented may also prove useful in preparing materials for "risk of capture", "countering communist interrogation", or "escape and evasion" courses given by U.S. Government components to their personnel going overseas.

2. There are still an unknown number of Americans being detained. Some fifty American officials and businessmen are known to have remained in South Vietnam at the fall of the former Government of Vietnam during April 1975. A few Americans have been released. There are no current indications as to exactly when the communists might release these Americans, or if they will attempt to use them to gain U.S. political recognition or aid. There is also some possibility that American military prisoners are still being detained by the DRV. This latest premise is based on information from one source and the fact that French prisoners captured during the 1945-54 period are still being held in the DRV.

3. The copy of the study attached hereto bears the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency and the number of this covering memorandum. Each copy is numbered and accountable for, and is intended for the addressee only. No other disseminations of these copies is to be made. Sterile copies will be made available upon request of any addressee requiring or intending further dissemination through channels to their representatives abroad or in the field, or for use in official training programs using classified materials. This covering memorandum and the study are not releasable to any foreign government or individual.

FOR THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS:

(SIGNED)
George T. Laris

CILO-00167-75