THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 17 AUGUST 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993469
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: August 17, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000150001-8
The President's Daily Brief
17 August 1972
45
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. I 1652
exemption category 58(1),(2).(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
17 August 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In the Vietnam fighting, South Vietnamese forces
are heavily engaged in the southern provinces.
(Page 1)
North Vietnamese propaganda continues to stress the
theme of self-reliance for the long fight ahead.
Recent aerial photography indicates that supplies
from China continue to flow over the Dong Dang rail
line. (Page 2)
Lao Government task forces moving toward the Plaine
des Jarres still have met only light resistance.
(Page 3)
Another attempt was made yesterday on the life of
Moroccan King Hassan. (Page 4)
Yesterday's hijacking of an airliner to Chile by
Argentine revolutionaries has put Chilean President
Allende in a difficult position. (Page 5)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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4 . 106
ORTH.
108 110
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SOUTH VIETNAM
100
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SOUTH VIETNAM
South Vietnamese forces are heavily engaged in
the southern provinces. The sharpest fighting has
occurred in southwestern Dinh Tuong Province, where
South Vietnamese regulars suffered moderate losses
in a series of clashes with elements of the North
Vietnamese 88th Regiment. The Communists are main-
taining pressure against government outposts and
district towns in Kien Phong, nearby Kien Hoa, and
Kien Giang provinces.
North of Saigon, ground action has slackened
around Lai Khe, but substantial enemy mortar and
rocket fire is being directed against South Vietnam-
ese positions in Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, and Phuoc
Long provinces. Route 13, just north of Lai Khe,
is now closed to traffic, but South Vietnamese
forces have been able to keep the road open to the
south.
On the Quang Tri front, the infantry operations
of both sides are being hampered by artillery fire.
Communist shelling has been heavy throughout Quang
Tri Province and Communist units are also complain-
ing about allied firepower.
1
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North Vietnam Maintaining Supply Flow from China
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NORTH VIETNAM
An article in the July issue of Hanoi's ideological
journal, Hoc Tap, appears to be another in a series
intended to steel the resolve of the party cadres
for a long fight ahead. Its import, despite qualify-
ing phrases, is that North Vietnam now more than ever
must rely on its own resources and that it cannot
trust its two major allies, China and the Soviet
Union, to protect its interests. This message has
received wide distribution in recent months, but sel-
dom has been put so starkly. Moreover, the article
is pessimistic about the chances that the anti-war
movement in the US will have a significant effect on
the election or on US policy. The author concludes
that no matter what happens elsewhere, it is mili-
tary victory and the perseverance of the Vietnamese
Communists that really count.
Aerial photography indicates that
supplies from China continue to flow over the high-
capacity Dong Dang rail line. Two southbound trains
were observed on that date--one of 30 cars at Cao
Nung and another of 12 cars at Vu Chua. Photography
also provides evidence of turnover in the supply
stockpiles at major rail yards along the line.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Pha Deng
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Government task forces moving toward the Plaine
des Jarres from the west and south still have met
only light resistance. Additional battalions of
yang Pao's tribesmen, fresh from several weeks of
retraining, will soon be committed to the drive.
yang Pao is seeking to force the North
Vietnamese to abandon positions west of
the Plaine, and eventually the Plaine
itself, by threatening their supply de-
pots and infiltration routes. His basic
objective is to push the Communist troops
back far enough to forestall another ma-
jor dry season offensive against the Sam
Thong - Long Tieng complex.
Apart from this tactical consideration,
Prime Minister Souvanna wants yang Pao to
take as much territory as possible on the
assumption that government control of the
Plains would strengthen Vientiane's bar-
gaining position should peace talks begin
soon. Last year, however, the Communists
terminated preliminary contacts in Vien-
tiane after yang Pao moved onto the Plaine
3
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
MOROCCO
Another attempt was made yesterday on the life
of King Hassan as he was returning to Rabat from a
private visit to France. The F-5 squadron of the
air force, which had remained loyal to him during
last year's military coup attempt, fired on his
plane as it entered Moroccan airspace. The King's
plane was damaged, but was able to make a safe
landing. Later, several planes strafed the Rabat
airport and the King's palace.
Last night the Moroccan Army occupied the F-5
base at Kenitra without resistance and arrested
some suspects. The pilot of the plane that attacked
the King's aircraft is said to have been captured
after parachuting near Rabat. Five other squadron
members, including the air force deputy commander,
escaped to Gibraltar in a helicopter and were taken
into custody.
Following last year's attempted coup, some
of Morocco's handful of F-5 pilots were
reported to be anti-Hassan/
The air force commander, Colonel Hassan
Lyoussi, was formerly head of Morocco's
military intelligence, and was handpicked
for his current position last May by the
King. This appointment may have created
some ill feelings among air force officers
who had hoped that the command would be
awarded within the service.
The press this morning reports the suicide
of the defense minister, General Mohamed
Oufkir, during the night. This is the
first indication of the involvement of any-
one other than members of the F-5 squadron
in the assassination attempt.
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NOTES
Argentina-Chile: Yesterday's hijacking of an
airliner to Chile by six Argentine revolutionaries
who broke out of an army-run prison has put Presi-
dent Allende in a difficult situation. Allende
would like to maintain cordial relations with Ar-
gentine President Lanusse, but Chile has a long
tradition of providing haven to South American dis-
sidents of all stripes, and to return the escaped
extremists would invite harsh reaction from many
members of Allende's government. Allende's own
Socialist Party, stung by the arrests for banditry
last month of some members of its extremist wing,
will oppose any action that would land the hijack-
ers in jail. In similar cases in the past, Chile
has denied formal asylum, but has allowed the fugi-
tives to make their own way to any other country
that would accept them. Cuba could be the choice
of this group.
5
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