THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF (MORNING) 10 MARCH 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976659
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 10, 1969

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The President's Daily Brief
10 March 1969
(Morning)
19
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32
*Nicosia
CYPRUS
ni Israeli-controlled areas following
June 1967 hostilities
Mediterranean
?32?
Port Said
0
Haifa.
ISRAEL
36
Latakia I
LEBANON
.Hamah
SYRIA
*Damascus
GOLAN HEIGHTS
Yarmuk R.
Tel Aviv- / WEST
Yak) \.BANK .?o.
Amman
/ ?Jerusalem
L i *
( (Dead
GAZA STRIP,/;) ' ..../) Sea
(
\
- \ / JORDAN
\ /
\ /
'\\ ),)
,
\ /
.\/--
.,-
Elat f
'!Aqaba
?28?
Ismailia Suez -
Canal
Cairo
UNITED
R AB
REPUBLIC
(E e Y P T)
?24?
50
MILES
Suez
SINAI
PENINSULA
Hurghada4
C3 o 0
fSharm ash-
Shaykh
Qina
100
Red
Sea
SAUDI
?32-
-28--
ARABIA
c>8
15
ASWAN
32 HIGH DAM 36
(A
?24-
93478 1-69
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
MAJOR PROBLEMS
MIDDLE EAST
The exchange of artillery fire across the Suez Canal over
the weekend--the heaviest since last fall--increases the pros-
pect of additional Israeli action. One possibility is a strong
airstrike against Egyptian artillery positions along the Canal.
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In the recent artillery duel damage to the Egyptian oil
refinery at Port Suez apparently was confined to several stor-
age tanks. Cairo Radio reports, however, that General Riad,
UAR Chief of Staff, was killed by Israeli artillery along the
Canal on 9 March. Since the war of June 1967, there have been
reports that Riad was not the most loyal supporter of Nasir.
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192 194
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CHINA
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VIENTIANE
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VIETNAM
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TONKIN.
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16-
THAILAND
LAOS
?Saravane
SOUTH
VIETNAM
ang Ngai
14-
BANGKOK
Battam bang
CAMBODIA
12-
Loc Ninh
-18
-16
'OW Nhon
H COrPS?. ii ?,,
- ? ?N, ':';'04'
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ir,_:...
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PHNOM PENH*
Tay Ninh
III CORPS
GULF OF
SL4.4f
IGON
10-
VIETNAM
0 25
SO 75 100 125
MILES
102
My Tho.
Can Tho.
( IV CORPS
SOUTH
.Ca Mau
CHINA SEA
Vung? Tau
Capital ,Special Zone
104 106 108
-10
93465 1-69
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EUROPE
All three French labor organizations--Communist, Social-
ist, and Catholic-oriented--are now supporting Tuesday's gen-
eral strike, and union leaders claim that in some industries
it might extend beyond the 24-hour limit. Communist and non-
Communist student organizations have also declared their sup-
port of the strike, although labor continues to stress the
economic issues behind the strike and is cool to cooperation
with the student aims.
SOVIET AFFAIRS
There is nothing significant to report.
VIETNAM
The pace of Communist-initiated military action increased
in III Corps during the past forty-eight hours. Heaviest
fighting occurred in Tay Ninh Province, where several stiff
clashes were reported. An intercepted enemy message suggests
that the upsurge in Communist activity was timed to coincide
with Secretary Laird's visit.
The increased action noted in III Corps is expected to
continue. There are indications that the Communists may at-
tempt to raise the level of combat in I and IV corps as well,
possibly beginning within the next day or two.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
J
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Thus far in the Communists' current offensive, little
effort appears to have been made by the enemy against the
government's pacification program. Pacification has been
brought to a halt in perhaps three provinces and has received
a setback in three others. In the rest of the country, the
program is proceeding on a business-as-usual basis. We think
it probable, however, that before the current campaign runs
its course the Communists will exercise their option to strike
heavier blows against the government's pacification efforts.
President Thieu plans to name Dr. Phan Quang Dan as Min-
ister of Agriculture. Thieu believes Dr. Dan will bring con-
siderable energy and dynamism to that post, something which
will be needed in implementing land reform policies. Dr. Dan
has already told the US Embassy that he hoped to get back into
the cabinet and that he particularly hoped for the Agriculture
Ministry.
Opposition to Dr. Dan from the National Assembly probably
has abated since last year when he was summarily removed from
the cabinet because of his suggestion that the South Vietnamese
Government talk with the Liberation Front. Since that time
both Vice President Ky and Prime Minister Huong have made simi-
lar statements, and the National Assembly, as well as public
opinion, have probably moved far enough now to make Dr. Dan's
appointment acceptable. Moreover, Dr. Dan is a proven vote
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
getter, and his inclusion in the cabinet should help broaden
popular support for the government. His enthusiasm on the
subject of land reform should make him an excellent choice
for the Agriculture Ministry.
II. OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
LAOS
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PANAMA
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Top Secret
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