THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 14 APRIL 1966

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005968258
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: April 14, 1966

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24: CIA-RDP79T00936A004400270001-9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
14 APRIL 1966
70151-S-E-G-R-EL
21
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DAILY BRIEF
14 APRIL 1966
1. South Vietnam
The government's concession on the
election issue today has forced the Bud-
dhists to reappraise their stance. The
results are still unclear, and early signs
are mixed.
This morning one militant Buddhist
leader was still expressing migtrust of
the Ky government and saying "the strug-
gle" would continue. Another said Ky
must now announce "cabinet changes" if
he is to expect support. Still another
said Buddhists are "satisfied at this
point." Militant leader Tri Quang has
yet to be heard from.
Ky seems to be under growing pres-
sure from a group of some 80 middle-grade
officers who want him to take decisive
action to reassert his authority. These
"baby Turks," as he calls them, are urg-
ing a major reorganization of the govern-
ment that would eliminate the "more cor-
rupt" generals from the directorate and
bring in some respected civilians. Gen-
eral Thieu might be among those dropped.
Such a move would have the appear-
ance of giving in to popular demand for
a change, but its purpose would be to
create a much stronger central govern-
ment by thoroughly rebuilding the civil
and military structures. The government,
under this plan, would accept the prom-
ised election schedule, but would re-
tain power for the year or more it takes
to draw up a constitution.
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2. Communist China
3. Iraq
4. Yemen
5. Nigeria
Pekingts domestic propaganda has
taken what appears to be a significant
turn recently. In the past the propa-
ganda machine has recommended "collec-
tive leadership" only for the lower
echelons of the party; now it says that
collective leadership is important "at
all levels." In view of Mao's long ab-
sence, this would seem to be a guarded
attempt to alert the people and the
party that a caretaker regime may soon
be in charge.
Baghdad is outwardly calm but the
Iraqi political balance has been badly
jarred by the death of President Arif
last night.
Prime Minister Bazzaz has tempo-
rarily taken charge of the government,
but his chances for maintaining stabil-
ity look slim. There may be no immedi-
ate trouble, but without Arif's skillful
hand on the reins, one of the rival na-
tionalist groups is likely to bid for
power before long.
the
Egyptians intend to withdraw some 6,000
troops from Yemen within the next few
weeks. This is probably part of Nasir's
new strategy in Yemen--to pull out up
to half his 60,000-man force, but per-
haps maintain an Egyptian presence there
indefinitely.
a group of Nigerian Army officers
may move against the Ironsi regime
"within the next 48 hours." This may be
only wishful thinking, but there have
been signs of dissidence and lack of
discipline within the military ever since
Ironsi took over last January.
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6. Rhodesia
The American consul in Salisbury
believes that the white Rhodesians are
more united and determined than ever,af-
ter, five months of illegal independence.
He considers that military action against
the country would become a major opera-
tion.
There have been no further signs of
economic decline during recent 'weeks.
Prospects for marketing this year's
tobacco crop are considered good; the
oil shortage is still only an inconven-
ience.
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