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OCI NO.
CENTPAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Directorate of Intelligence8
Pueblo Sitrep No,As of. EST,
Pyongyang's latest statement on the Pucslc case came todayeputy premier whoamascus airport that North Korea will "severely punish" the Pueblo crew. He charged that the US hopes to "cover up its espionage against our country and other barbaric acts it has committed* by taking the case to the UN Security Council, and warned that "if the American imperialists dare to commit aggressionudden attack on oure will repulse it completely.1' The deputy premier was on his way to Baghdad, were North Koreaonsulate, for six days of discussions with Iraqi officials.
North Korea's deputy foreign affairsit has just been learned, convened all accredited missions in Pyongyang yesterday to deliver aon the Pueblo seizure. Claiming that the capture wasegitimate defense measure" against "overte insisted North Korea "is notby reprisal measures and holds itself into face American provocation or invasion."
Peking hasew and stronger expression of support for Pyongyang. An official Chinesestatement said today that "the Chinese government and people firmly support the just stand" of North Korea, ew China News Agency report issued earlier today stated only that Peking was watching the Korean situation with "close attention." China is undoubtedly anxious that its support of North Korea appear as least as strong as that of the Soviet Union. The new statement from Peking attempted to depict the Pueblo incident
as further evidence of US plans to expand the Vietnamfavorite theme of recent Chinese propaganda- The
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it was
Chinese pronouncement strongly condemned tha US iriili-tary buildup in the Sea of Japan and concludedarning that "US imperialism has forgotten the taught in the Korean War."
iih missions throughout New York City re-
portadly met behind closed doors today to prepare for tomorrow afternoon's Security Council meeting* One topic of discussion was known to be Canada'sfor the appointment of US Secretary-General Thant or another neutral mediator.
he Forrestal-class attack carrier Ranger and three escorting destroyers are due to join the Enterprise task group on the morning oft (EST
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