THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 1 AUGUST 1966

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005968448
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: August 1, 1966

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A004600270001-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
1 AUGUST 1966
TO. SECRET
23
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DAILY BRIEF
1 AUGUST 1966
1. South Vietnam
2. Cambodia
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Ky and his government seem to be
handling preparations for the September
constitutional assembly elections effec-
tively and honestly.
Functionaries in charge of the elec-
toral process have apparently tried hard
to avoid irregularities that might fos-
ter international criticism. Furthermore,
some of the Saigon generals--including
Ky himself--have gone out of their way
to correct those irregularities brought
to their attention.
The government has further tried
to create an impartial atmosphere by al-
lowing a committee of the 79-man Civilian-
Military Council to take a hand in super-
vising the electoral machinery. The
Council recently reinstated a few candi-
dates disqualified by local screening
boards.
Today, the government kicked off a
three-day seminar for province chiefs and
other officials concerned with running
the elections. Ky again stressed the
importance of adequate preparation and
complete honesty.
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3. Soviet Union
. Soviet Union
The Soviets are continuing to
strengthen their military forces gradu-
ally in areas adjacent to the Sinkiang
border of China.
Also, there are some indications
that an advance
element of a motorized division may have
recently deployed to the area.
The Soviet Union's parliament, the
Supreme Soviet, convenes tomorrow. There
are new straws in the wind that the ses-
sion may bring about some changes in the
Soviet Government. The party Central
Committee, which would have to put its
stamp on any important change, met today
on matters relating to the Supreme Soviet
session.
Rumors have been floating around
Moscow for the past few days that Kosy-
gin is to resign for reasons of health.
This could be, although we have seen no
evidence that he is sick. His recent
grueling work schedule points to no prepa-
rations for phasing out.
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On balance, there is simply not
enough evidence to forecast Kosygin's de-
parture. The changes that do take place,
however, could include a promotion to
deputy premier for Foreign Minister Gromyko.
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5. Nigeria
6. Congo
Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon,
32-year-old army chief of staff, has
taken over as head of state. Gowon, a
northerner, made the announcement today
in .a brief broadcast following talks
with the ranking remnant of the Ironsi
regime.
Just prior to his takeover, Gowon
was talking in favor of northern seces-
sion and this may still be his intention.
He expressed a strong reluctance to face
up to the "impossible task and risk of
trying to unify a country that just will
not be unified."
As for the army, the US defense at-
tach?eports that it has ceased to exist
as a cohesive organization. Northerners
control the bulk of what is left, but
even this does not give them the power
to impose their will on the rest of the
country.
The Congo's relations with Belgium
will deteriorate further if, as seems
likely, the central government expels
the Belgian consul in Lubumbashi (Elisa-
bethville).
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7. France
8. Brazil
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Paris now says it will end payments
to most NATO programs after the first of
the year. It still says, however, that
it would like to continue taking part
in selected programs in which it has par-
ticular interest. This unilateral French
pronouncement will strengthen the hand
of those of the Fourteen who are reluc-
tant to permit France to pick and choose
its projects.
Terrorist incidents in various cities
have the public on edge. More violence
has followed hard upon the fatal bomb-
ings in Recife a week ago. The US Embassy
office in Brasilia and some private US
companies have received anonymous bomb
threats.
Contributing to the general jumpi-
ness is the fact that no one seems to
know whether the Incidents are the work
of Communists or violent protests against
the-Castello Branco government,
The series of elections scheduled
for this fall already has political tem-
peratures on the rise. The only legal
opposition party, hurt badly by recent
governmental decrees favoring progovern-
ment candidates, is now debating whether
or not to take part at all.
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TOP SECRET
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