THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 13 MARCH 1972
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
0005993189
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
T
Document Page Count:
8
Document Creation Date:
August 14, 2016
Document Release Date:
August 24, 2016
Sequence Number:
Case Number:
Publication Date:
March 13, 1972
File:
Attachment | Size |
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DOC_0005993189.pdf | 247.69 KB |
Body:
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500120001-7
The President's Daily Brief
13 March 1972
25
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
13 March 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Over the weekend the North Vietnamese launched the
most serious attacks in the Sam Thong area in al-
most two months. (Page 1)
Lon Nol's political moves are discussed on Page 2.
Cypriot President Makarios appears to be trying to
increase pressure on Athens. (Page 3)
Chile(
/(Page 4)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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LONG TIENG AREA
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Elements of the North Vietnamese 141st Regi-
ment.drove irregular units from positionsnorth
and east of Sam Thong on 11 March in the most
serious attacks in this area in almost. two months.
Government. forces also abandoned artillery base
Thunder, which was,not under heavy attack. Al-
though Communist probes and shellings continue,
the situation has stabilized for the time being.
Most of the 1,500 irregulars in the Sam Thong
area are regrouping at. three positions to the
southwest. The Long Tieng Valley has been shelled,
and the airstrip has been closed sporadically, but
no Communist ground attacks have been reported
there.
The weekend activity could be the be-
ginning of an anticipated Communist
drive to take the Long Tieng complex.
The North Vietnamese are continuing to
move forces closer to the Sam Thong
and Long Tieng bases. The headquarters
of the North Vietnamese 148th Regiment,
which was diverted to the Plaine des
Jarres area during yang Pao's offensive
in February, has now moved back toward
Long Tieng, and 130-mm. artillery guns
have been moved west from the Plaine
to the Tha Tam BZeung area. yang Pao
has been preparing an offensive force
of some 4,500 men for a new spoiling
operation. He will now have to decide
whether to reinforce the 6,500 men de-
fending Long Tieng and Sam Thong or to
go ahead with strikes at Communist rear
areas in an effort to lessen the pres-
sure on the bases.
The government has also suffered a military
setback in south Laos. Two irregular battalions
over the weekend abandoned positions on the Route
23/231 road junction some 12 miles east,of Pakse
city. Afresh irregular force has moved intO the
area, where elements of the North Vietnamese 9th
Regiment have been active for the Past two weeks,
presumably trying to tie down government forces
well away from the infiltration corridor. The
proximity of the Communists to Pakse is having an,
adverse psychological effect on the government.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500120001-7
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
Over the weekend Lon Nol dissolved the constit-
uent assembly, suspended work on a new constitution,
dismissed the cabinet, and assumed the title of
president. He told Ambassador Swank yesterday that
he intends to restructure the executive branch of
government but that he has not yet decided on the
specifics.
Lon Nol appears to have had only the most
cursory consultation with principal fig-
ures within the government. He apparently
also gave little consideration to the im-
pact on political elements already restive
at what they consider to be the betrayal
of a promise of more democratic government
after Sihanouk's ouster. The chances are
good, nevertheless, that Lon Nol will
bring off the changes without provoking a
major political crisis. There will be
much grumbling among politicians in the
coming days, but Lon NoZ's potential op-
ponents Zack a figure around whom they
can coalesce. Any serious opposition
would need support from the military, and
army commanders appear to be strongly be-
hind Lon Nol,
Lon Nol must now decide what to do with
Sink Matak, whose administrative skills
are much needed and for whom Lon Nol has
considerable personal respect. This
could prove troublesome, because Matak
is under strong attack from students and
intellectuals, who find him a convenient
scapegoat for what they regard as the de-
linquencies of the regime. Lon Nol's
next move is likely to be a gesture to-
ward broadening his government, perhaps
by offering someone like In Tam, who was
president of the constituent assembly,
a position of ostensible importance.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500120001-7
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CYPRUS
President Makarios appears to be orchestrating
a campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Athens.
He is telling diplomatic callers, according to the
US Embassy. in Nicosia, that Athens itself advised'
in favor, of the controversial Czech arms delivery
to Cyprus but, in the hope of avoiding Turkish crit-
icism, requested that, the purchase be represented
as a Cypriot initiative. The Archbishop's remarks
have been leaked to the press in order to arouse
Turkish suspicions of Athens. In the past few days,
moreover, the pro-Makarios press in Cyprus has be-
gun to needle Athens intensively, suggesting that
there are splits within the Greek regime and cast-
ing aspersions on Foreign Minister Palamas.
At the same time, Makarios is fostering mount-
ing opposition to the request of the three Greek
Cypriot bishops for his resignation from the pres-
idency.. In one district, Greek Cypriots are call-
ing for a referendum on replacing the local bishop--
a procedure that, While illegal in church eyes,
could prevent, that bishop from returning to his
seat.and thus dilute church pressure on Makarios.
While this campaign is going on, Makarios
has sequestered 'himself to prepare a.for-
mal reply,to:the Greeks in which he is
expected to seek a compromise. Makarios
may delay his reply until letter this week
in order to give his campaign time to
take effect He runs some risk, 'however,
of merely provoking Athens and further
jeopardizing prospects for stability on
the island.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CHILE
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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i
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500120001-7