Top Secret
l'Killi'T
CONTENTS ^Information as of noon
Far East
NORTH KOREA REMAINS UNYIELDING IN PUEBLO CRISIS
The North Koreans show no signs of retreating from the confrontation provoked by their seizure of the Pueblo. Their immediate aim apparently is to maintain pressure on the US during the current Communist offensive in South Vietnam.
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NORTH KOREA REMAINS UNYIELDING IN PUEBLO CRISIS
North Koreans show no signs of retreating from the confrontation with the USby their seizure of the Pueblo and its crow.
They appear to be gambling on tho assumption that, bythe crew as hostages, they can deter US military reprisals, forco the US to restrain tho South Koreans, and prolong the
confrontation. Their immediate aim apparently is to maintain diversionary pressures on the USigh level during thecountry-wide Communistin South Vietnam. Over the longer term, Pyongyanghopes these tactics will aggravateouth Koreandiscredit the Seoulond extract valuable concossions from the US.
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North Koreans oretho defiant atance they adopted during the Military Armistice Commission meeting onanuary. In officialand propagandaf Pyongyang has maintained it acted within its rightsovereign state, and that the Pueblo was engaged in hostile activity in Northterritorial waters. haa attempted toersion of the incident by broadcasting an allegedand other statements by the commander of the Pueblo. Communist propaganda has attempted to connect tho Pueblo with the war in Vietnam. The commander was said to have stated his xisaion was in preparationnew war" of aggreaaion in Asia and that the US regardsand Vietnam as "two fronts of the war."
The North Koreans have avoided specifying conditions for the release of the Pueblo and its craw. Pyongyang has, however, repeatedly condemned efforts to involve tho UN. igh-ranking North Korean leader complained onanuary that the US wasolution through "illegal discussions at the United Nations." Ho went on to observe that "thererecedent for the treatment of similar casea at the KoreanArmistice Commieeion."
This "precedent" probably refers to negotiations at Pan-munjomver the face of two US helicopter pllota downed in North Korea. In its desire to extract maximumvaluo from that caau,Pyongyang kept thegoing foronths before releasing the pilots.
Despite their militant stand, nothing the North Koreans have done suggests they are about to embark on Their actions have been largely defonsivo, apparentlyrecaution against someaction by the US or South Korea. Propagandaclaim that the country is "prepared to counter any provocations or surprise."
we so above nciraalt tho beginning of the week but now consistew small skirmishes without casualties.
Soviet military reaction to the Pueblo seizure haa been mainly limited to naval
;ace snips.
-^have been deployedd u'f
"cjio boa u'f Japan to monitor US naval task forces operating in these waters.
On the diplomatic front, the Soviet Union has supported the North Korean position while treating the incident as ato be resolved between tha
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US and North Korea. appear designed tothe eituation andany possible USaction, while keepingrecord of supportKorea unassailable. Kosygin reflected thishis statement to Western in Now Delhi,the incident was aof territorialt
two countrios involved.
Tho Soviets voted against the mattor being brought before the Security Council but haveillingness to have North Korea invited to appear before the council as long as the invitation is unconditional. Tho Security Council has been stalemated over the issue of inviting North Korea to attend.
Peking's reaction to the Pueblo incident has beenrestrainod and has avoided any specific reference to steps China might take to support Pyongyang. Although the Chinese Government statementarned that "US imperialism had forgotten the lesson it was
taught in tho Koreant promised only that the "Chinese Government and people firnly support the just stand" of North Korea. The statement seemed primarily intended to portray tho Pueblo's capture as further evidence of US plans to expand the war infavorite theme of rocont Chinese.
Soma South Korean leaders have complained that tho US has devoted too much attention to the Pueblo crisis and has played down the issue of North Korean violations of the armistice agreement, particularly theto assassinate President Pak. Sooul is also concerned that Pyongyang may gain status at South Korea's expense, either through an invitation toin tho UN Security Council debate or by direct US -North Korean negotiations. Another sign of South Korean uneasinessuggestioneoul newspaper editorial onanuary that the government might have to consider withdrawing troops from South Vietnam if the US reduced its forces in the Korean area following aof the Puoblo crisis.f
Original document.
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