Intelligence and Security Operations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Ministry of National Defense

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In South Vietnam, the Region 5 Enemy Military Proselytizing Sectionmaintained at least two detention camps for ARVN personnel. Each of itssubordinate nine provincial enemy military proselytizing subsections had atemporary detention facility for captured ARVN, RF/PF, and PSDFpersonnel. Most captured RF/ PF and PSDF personnel were detained for ashort period of time during which they were interrogated for tactical militaryintelligence, indoctrinated, reeducated, and released with the proviso that theynot engage in further combat actions against the revolution, and, if reassigned-to their units, would engage as fifth column penetration assets.
Within the COSVN area of jurisdiction, there were at least two majordetention camps for ARVN POWs administered by the SVNLA EnemyProselytizing Office. At least four of its subordinate military region enemyproselytizing sections had a detention camp for ARVN officer personnel, whileprovincial-level enemy proselytizing subsection detention camps detainedmost ARVN NCO and enlisted personnel, RF / PF, and PSDF personnel. Mostof the latter were similarly considered for release after a short period. of '
detention.
Regardless of what level they were detained, ARVN POWs were screened
by enemy proselytizing components for military intelligence information,
psychological warfare propaganda exploitation, and for fifth columnpenetration operations upon release. The ARVN POW was interrogated indetail about himself, his past activities, his unit and commanding officers, theidentity of anti-Communist unit members, as well as the identity of relatives
working for the RVN/ARVN or for the revolution. ARVN armored,intelligence, marine, ranger,_security, and signals personnel were subjected to
more extensive andintensive interrogations. RF/PF personnel were intensive-
ly interrogated for their knowledge of local RF / PF intelligence nets to whichPAVN/SVNLA was particularly sensitive. Following interrogation, POWswere given continuous political indoctrination and reeducation with the viewtowards preparing them psychologically for release. At this stage, local
military proselytizing cadres entered the picture with the mission of recruitingas many ARVN NCO and enlisted personnel, RF / PF and PSDF personnel aspossible prior to their release. Most were dispatched with the mission ofserving as fifth column penetration assets in their former units to collectl
intelligence, conduct sabotage and assassinations, and to foment mutiny in unitranks when ordered. The recruited POW assets when released were usuallyhandled by provincial and district-level military proselytizing components.-
The ARVN Military Security Service (MSS) estimated that at least 25 percent,
of all such released ARVN enlisted and NCO personnel had been recruited bythe military proselytizing branch. This figure was based on results obtained
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E from the ARVN MSS indoctrination and investigation of released ARVNi
POWs who cooperated with the MSS. The ARVN MSS estimate did notg
include RF/PF and PSDF personnel. ,
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Operations in the COSVN Area
According to established COSVN MPS recruitment policies, various MPSechelons were assigned specific areas of responsibilities for recruitmentoperations. The COSVN MPS was responsible for recruitment in the: RVN
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