Wake Up The President.

Emergency Briefing

Clearance level: Top Secret

Issued: 9/6/1998 0200

Executive Summary: 

“Hungry Ghosts Riots” In Saigon undermine Japanese Treaty negotiations with HICE. Possible terrorist attack, possible USSR/BdNL proxies. Riot threatens US Allied presence in SE Asia, with possible ramifications for Economic stability of allies and vulnerabilities in US Network. Recommend reprioritization  of SEATO assets, authorization of counterintelligence assets, and regional distraction operations.

SECTION 1: SITUATION SUMMARY

Treaty port of Saigon under State of Emergency. Casualties uncertain, speculated to be in hundreds, damage likely to be in billions. At 12:47 PM Catholic and Buddhist tensions in Saigon over religious procession spiraled out into Anti-Japanese and anti-technology attacks. Conflicting sources claim to have witnessed machines act autonomously. Unmanned attacks on civilians and Saigon officials reported but unconfirmed. Saito Corp Personnel involvement rumored but also unconfirmed. Both Buddhist and Catholic factions have spread rumors as vindication for attacks on Saito Corp and Japanese Technology. Riots contain strong Neo-Luddite Elements. Direct involvement of known PoIs Maria Cannon, and Ðuc Phat Manh uncertain. Involvement of followers is almost certain. Saigon government functioning but impotent and overwhelmed, direct military action imminent. Japanese PM requests time to resolve issue.

SECTION 2: INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

Timing of incident is cataclysmic for US Interests. Japanese Ambassador and Patriarch of The Holy IndoChinese Empire (HICE) preparing for Final Stage of Treaty Negotiations. 1968 “Archbishop's Lease”  negotiated by Archbishop Diệm Thuc and Then Prime Minister Satō, set to expire September 30. Saigon granted Treaty port status, with Japan given significant economic privileges. Current Patriarch  less friendly to Japan than predecessor. Francophile Emperor less so. Saito Corp investment in Saigon (and Japanese investment in Saigon) substantial. Riots represent significant economic risk.

Catholic and Buddhist radicals within the country both have claimed the incident as proof of isolationism. HICE destabilization is possible, but not necessarily in US interests. Lack of condemnation by Patriarch and HIC Emperor Bao Long hint at possible sympathies with Luddite and Religious factions. Indirect involvement not yet ruled out. 

SE Asia crisis offers welcome distraction for USSR, as focus shift to SE Asia alleviates international pressure from crises in E. Europe. Yugoslav President Josef Tito announced sympathy for rioters immediately after the incident. Japanese attempts to delay treaty negotiations have been denied. 

Investigations of tech failure, and Autonomous Technological Attacks (so called Hungry Ghosts/Possessions) unconfirmed. Mass Noosphereic Destabilization Event/Attack not yet ruled out.

SECTION 3: RISKS AND CONCERNS

US Expulsion from 1963 still in effect and enforced, which limits direct options.  Still not permitted in the country since 1963 after assassination of Ngô Đình Diệm. Evidence of Saito malfeasance risks jeopardizing negotiations. Growing religious fervor and SR Vietnam’s warming relationship with HICE may encourage end Treaty Port status in favor of Saigon’s annexation. Japanese expulsion in the region functionally expels US allies from the region, giving SEA to Latin Bloc, may lead to a domino effect that threatens the British. Commonwealth. Further ripples may embolden Latin Bloc Actions in The Philippines and Latin America.

Emboldened Luddite groups with a foothold in Latin Bloc represent economic threat to US technology sector, should ideology be exported. Unification of Vietnam under HICE strengthens Latin Bloc, at expense of SEATO.

SECTION 4: IMMEDIATE RECOMMENDATIONS

Saito will seek to minimize liability and damage to reputation with HICE. This should be monitored. Support for efforts conditional on efforts not interfering with negotiations. Negotiation success paramount. Investigation on insurgent groups paramount. 

● Maintain official public distance from Japan so as to preserve appearance of neutrality. Maintain contact through backchannels.

● Authorize movement and activation of Surveillance Assets in Commonwealth Mission/MI-5/Five Eyes to monitor situation for signs of intensified insurgent activity. 

● Redirect SEATO intelligence away from Midano/East Timor for possible Latin Bloc/Warsaw Pact interference. 

● Coordinate with Singapore and Tehran for mobilization of counter-terrorist assets from SAVAK for deployment to region.

Use backchannels with Japanese government and Saito for constant monitor of situation and REDPHONE contacts.

● Establish emergency task force of DIA/CIA regional experts. Require updates on situation in 2 hours.

● Authorize either WINNEBAGO or BONGO operations to divert attention from SEA.

● Authorize ARMORAK to further pressure Soviet assets.

● Approve Leaked footage of luddite riots destroying Saigon.  

● Coordinate with Parsons Advance Noospheric Technologies of veracity of MNDE/A, and vulnerabilities in US Noosphere. 

● Announce public statement through press briefings at 0600 EST.