THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 19 MAY 1971

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005992639
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 19, 1971

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The President's Daily Brief
19 May 1971
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THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
19 May 1971
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Laotian Government forces have abandoned their last
important site on the Bolovens Plateau. (Page 1)
The, Communists have infiltrated 4,000 or more troops
through the Laotian panhandle this month. (Page 2)
In South Vietnam, there is evidence that Communist
forces are preparing for another period of height-
ened combat (Page 3)1
The Soviets evidently are about to try another un-
manned Mars probe. (Page 6)
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? Government-held position ? Communist-held position
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LAOS
Government forces today abandoned Ban Houei
Kong, the last important site they had retained on
the Bolovens Plateau, following a North Vietnamese
ground attack. Elsewhere on the plateau air ob-
servers report that the Communists have been using
substantial numbers of heavy machine guns; there
also are numerous signs of tracked vehicles there.
We believe that total available North Viet-
namese forces in and around the Bolovens
now number about 5,000 men. At least some
elements of the 1st Viet Cong Regiment of
the 2nd NVA Division have moved into the
area. (These forces participated in the
counterattack on Lam Son 719 earlier this
year.) An independent regiment and some
six other combat battalions are also oper-
ating on the Bolovens.
The government at the same time is mounting a
limited counteroffensive in the central Bolovens.
Eight battalions of irregulars, whose 1,200 men con-
stitute virtually the only organized government force
left on the plateau, are securing a base area between
Ban Houei Kong and Paksong.
The government has establishedblocking posi-
tions on Route 23 about 20 miles east of Pakse and
has organized a receiving station for refugees now
streaming off the plateau headed for Pakse. Nerv-
ousness in Pakse itself:is also on, the rise, and
some'prominent.IJao civilians are moving their fami-
lies across the Mekong. The US Embassy has evacu-
ated all American dependents in Pakse, although it
still estimates that an attack on the town is un-
likely.
In the Dong Hene area, government forces at-
tempting to withdraw along Route 9 were ambushed
and forced to abandon their artillery, two tanks.,
and two armored cars. In addition, their commander
was wounded.
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NORTH VIETNAM
Intercepts from Communist way-stations located
in the Laos panhandle reflect the southward movement
of more than 20 infiltration groups through the area
since the beginning of May. Ten of these groups,
totaling about 4,000 troops, are infantry headed for
southern Laos or northern South Vietnam. The rest
of the groups total fewer than 300 persons and appar-
ently consist of specialists in military or civilian
tasks. Gaps in the numbering suggest that several
thousand additional troops are either now en route
or about to depart.
Some of the infantrymen now in the system
could serve as replacements for Communist
losses earlier this spring in South Viet-
nam's central highlands or in the current
fighting in southern Laos. The Communists'
intent may be to go beyond replacement of
losses and provide enough reinforcement
to increase their capability in these areas
later in the year. We do not, however,
Zook for large groups of infiltrators to
make the long trek to southern South Viet-
nam and Cambodia until the rainy season
draws to a close next fall.
There continue to be indications that the
Communists will keep the bulk of their
logistic forces in the Laos panhandle over
the current rainy season. In addition to
claiming some success for their May "trans-
portation offensive" through the panhandle,
the Communists are moving trucks along
their main road Zink between Laos and
northern Cambodia. During the dry season,
they built or upgraded some 200 miles of
new roads and motorable trails in northern
Cambodia.
FOR THE PRESIDENT -ONLY
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SOUTH VIETNAM
There is evidence that' Communist forces are set
for another period of heightened combat. Intercepts
from units in theDMZ area and elsewhere during the,
pastfew weeks-have reflected preparations for an-.
other"offensive." Captured documents and other re-
ports indicate that allied installations and roads
will come_under attack in, the. central coastal region
and that militia and territorial security forces will
be among the main, targets farther south.
Although the coming round is pegged by some
sources to Ho Chi Minh 's birthday today, we -
think it more likely that most of the ac-.
tionwill occur during the dark of the moon
later this month. The. activity will again
consist mostly of shellings and light,
ground probeS, with an occasiOnal heavy at-
tack against a remote.outpost or refugee
center. This provides the Communists with
a relatively cheap means'of weakening the
government's position in the countryside,
at, least for a time.: In those provinces
where the Communists focused' their greatest
effort earlier this years government. con-
trot of the population registered a sub-
sequent decline.
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SOUTH VIETNAM
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USSR
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NOTES
USSR:
the Soviets will soon try again to launch an
unmanned Mars probe. The three ships which partic-
ipated in the unsuccessful launch of 10 May are at
?or near their support positions. Once again the
Soviets are using an SL-12 booster, the type which
failed to put the probe of 10 May into a suitable
parking orbit and which has an exceptionally bad
record.
India-Pakistan:
Panama: President Lakas appears once again to
be in-a mood to resign because of his unhappiness
with the policies of General Torrijos . Lakas told
Ambassador . Sayre he is Upset about. last month's
cabinet shakeup that brought back several extreme:
leftists and over the Foreign Ministry's hardening
position on canal treaty negotiations. Lakas is
also inclined to disbelieve the National Guard' s
charges that US soldiers last week tried to kidnap
three_ US- servicemen being held by the Guard. Two
are soldiers who escaped from the stOckade in the
Zone and the other an airman under investigation
for lardeny. Lakas believes Panama's handling of
the .incident undercuts. its-,argument that it can
responSibly handle jurisdiction in the Canal Zone.
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