THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 8 SEPTEMBER 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993509
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: September 8, 1972

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The President's Daily Brief
8 September 1972
'45
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Exempt front general
declassification uhedule of ED. 11652
exemption category 5B(
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
8 September 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
King Husayn is the sole Arab leader to condemn the
terrorist act in Munich. The dominant theme in
Arab reaction is that the Israeli deaths 'must be
placed in the context of Israel's "criminal" occu-
pation Of the Palestinian homeland.
(Page 1)
Soviet
Egypt. (Page 6)
The military situation in South Vietnam is reported
on Page 4.
Saigon does not intend to renew the visas of the
Indian representatives on the International Control
Commission. (Page 5)
The Chinese are working to improve relations with
Thailand. (Page 6)
The rice shortage
(Page 7)
The Soviet Union
(Page 8)
is becoming critical in
Bangladesh
high in Chile.
Political tensions remain
Cambodia.
(Page 9)
At Annex we discuss the background of Fatah's ter-
rorist organization
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ARAB STATES - FEDAYEEN
Jordan's King Husayn remains the sole Arab
leader to condemn the terrorists' acts in Munich.
Most other Arabs have avoided outright condemnation
of the guerrillas and some Egyptian and Iraqi news-
papers have praised their "heroism." In addition,
the Syrian and Iraqi governments have permitted
broadcasts by "clandestine" fedayeen radio stations
praising the terrorists.
An official Egyptian spokesman, after disclaim-
ing any involvement with the episode, placed the
onus for the loss of life on the West German Gov-
ernment. The Egyptians have reacted with consider-
able sensitivity to West German charges that Cairo
did not fully respond to Bonn's appeals for coopera-
tion during the Munich incident. The Egyptian,
Government has summoned the German ambassador for
clarification of Bonn's position and announced it
would take "a firm decision" following the consul-
tations.
A dominant theme in Arab reaction is insistence
that the Israeli deaths must be placed in the con-
text of Israel's "criminal" occupation of the Pales-
tinian homeland. Typical of this line is the Leba-
nese Government's statement that, while expressing
"deep regret," interpreted the tragedy as an out-
growth of the Palestinians' despair and their wish
to prod the international community to redress
their grievances.
The Munich events shocked Saudi leaders, who
allowed scant
coverage in the local media.
Fatah's Black September Organization has an
organized network in Western Europe and plans further
operations to follow the Munich attack
the primary
targets are Israeli and "imperialist" interests in
West Germany, West Berlin, and perhaps elsewhere
in Western Europe.
the Popular Front for the Liberation ot
Palestine may also be involved in these plans.
(continued)
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At Annex we discuss the background of Fatah's
terrorist organization
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EGYPT-USSR
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108
Demilitarized Zone
Quang Tri
ue
MR 1
110
FSB Hawk Hill
JA4G in ?
ien Phuoc
QUAN
GAI
HOA)
R3
Capital Special Zone
MR 2
South
China
.?
Gulf of
Thailand
104
553557 9-72 CIA
MR 4
116
SOUTH VIETNAM
16-
14-
12--
MILES 1110
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SOUTH VIETNAM
Units from the enemy's 711th Division have
shifted the focus of their attacks from they Que
Son Valley to central Quang Tin Province. Commu-
nist troops have captured a key government defen-
sive point north of the district capital of Tien
Phuoc and have occupied the airstrip and the gov-
ernment's headquarters in the town. The Commu-
nists for the first time in this area have been
using tanks to support their infantry attacks.
Initial government attempts to lift in reinforce-
ments by helicopter failed but a later try was
successful. Meanwhile, the provincial capital,
Tam Ky City, was shelled by enemy troops who had
captured Fire Support Base Hawk Hill northwest of
the city on 7 September.
Farther north heavy fighting continues in the
Quang Tri City area; the Communists are committing
additional resources to the struggle there. Inter-
cepts show that the 141st Regiment of the recently
infiltrated 312th Division is moving into position
along Route 1 south of the city. The messages also
indicate that other enemy units in the area have re-
ceived fresh supplies and replacements, and that an
artillery regiment had been equipped with tear gas
shells.
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VIETNAM-INDIA
Saigon has decided not to renew the visas of
the Indian representatives on the International
Control Commission when they expire on 30 September.
The South Vietnamese are taking this step
largely in response to New Delhi's deci-
sion last January to upgrade relations
with Hanoi to the ambassadorial level
while leaving Saigon with only a consulate
general. The Thieu government says this
move proves India is not impartial in the
Indochina war and therefore is unfit to
continue to serve as chairman of the ICC.
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CHINA-THAILAND
The Chinese have held high-level talks in
Peking with special Thai emissary Prasit Kanchanawat.
Over the weekend, Prasit met separately with Chinese
vice ministers of foreign affairs and foreign trade;
on 5 September, he held talks with Cbou En-lai.
Prasit was in Peking ostensibly as an ad-
viser to the Thai ping pong team, but his
treatment by the Chinese?particularly
his meeting with Chou--exceeds the bounds
of protocol and goes far beyond the re-
ception given any of the other Asian table
tennis delegations now in Peking for a
tournament. Moreover, China's news agency
has identified Prasit by his official
government title, thus underscoring the
official government-to-government nature
of his visit.
Peking's .handling of Prasit's visit seems
a sure sign that the Chinese are serious
about exploring ways of improving rela-
tions with Thailand. The talks almost
certainly dealt with the principal issues
in dispute between the two countries--
Chinese support for Thai insurgents, the
Chinese road in northern Laos, Thailand's
relations with Taiwan, and Bangkok's role
in the Indochina war--as well as with such
questions as the possibility of trade ties
and cultural contacts.
6
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Kbh Rang
KomponOcirn.
South China ?
Sea
Gulf of
Thailand
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CAMBODIA
The rice situation has reached critical propor-
tions; domestic rice stocks, which are particularly
low in Phnom Penh, will not last until the harvest
late this year. Prior to the harvest, Cambodia
will have to secure an additional 20,000.tons,
either through purchase or humanitarian aid. Pres-
ident Lon Nol has called in the US charge and asked
for an immediate, short-term loan of rice from US
stocks in South Vietnam.
Public awareness of the situation has touched
off a wave of heavy buying. The price of preferred
grades has shot up 40 percent since last week to
the highest level since the war began. Some hoard-
ing has taken place, and looting of warehouses and
Chinese-owned stores in Phnom Penh has been reported.
The government has attempted to alleviate the
situation by taking over distribution of a portion
of privately held stocks and by selling lower grades
at controlled prices. In addition, the first de-
livery from a recent 10,000-ton purchase of Thai
rice is scheduled to arrive next week and should
ease the pressure temporarily.
Unless Route 5 is reopened in the near
future, permitting rice from Battambang
Province to reach Phnom Penh, the require-
ment for additional rice imports could in-
crease. Thus far, the Cambodian Army has
not made a serious effort to reopen the
highway, and its plans to do so continue
to be delayed. The availability of rice
is a sensitive political issue, and high
prices and sustained shortages will result
in a further loss of popular support for
the Lon Nol government.
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BANGLADESH-USSR
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CHILE
Public transportation was partially paralyzed
in Santiago yesterday, although a last-minute set-
tlement of a threatened nationwide transportation
strike was announced early in the day. Our embassy
thinks Allende made substantial concessions to head
off what could have been a disruptive strike.
Allende is seeking to cool the political
tensions that have Zed to outbreaks of
violence in recent days. Some business
groups anxious to force Allende's ouster
had been backing those favoring a strike--
mainly private entrepreneurs who own many
of Chile's small bus, taxi, and truck
lines.
Political tensions have not yet subsided
significantly, and more public demonstra-
tions by pro- and anti-government groups
are planned.
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NOTES
Uganda: President Amin has charged that Brit-
ain', Israel, and "other Western countries" are plan-
ning to assassinate him. In expressing fears of a
British invasion, he directed the army and civilians
to keep close watch .on British nationals in Uganda
and added that Europeans would make "good targets"
for his troops. Amin's remarks could encourage un-
ruly army troops who control borders and other stra-
tegic points to more brutality. They already have
toughed up several Americans, including a diplomat_
and his family, and other Westerners. The Embassy
has instructed Americans to stay away from sensitive
areas.
Morocco:
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FEDAYEEN TERRORISTS
The name Black September Organization (BSO)
first came to light in connection with the assassi-
nation of Jordanian Prime Minister Wasfi Tal in
Cairo last November. Since that time, Black Sep-
tember, which draws its name from the date of the
fedayeen confrontation with the Jordanian Govern-
ment in September 1970, has claimed credit for a
series of assassinations, bombings, and sabotage
in West Germany and other parts of Western Europe.
In fact, the Black September Organization is
not a distinct fedayeen organization, but rather a
cover term that Fatah--the largest and most heavily
funded group--uses for its terrorist operations.
There are no se arate BSO offices, personnel or
leaders
Fatah has adopted the ruse of attributing its
terrorist operations to the BSO in large part to
avoid jeopardizing its financial support
Fatah's? objective in emphasizing dramatic ter-
rorism is to maintain a sense of dynamism in the
otherwise faltering fedayeen movement. Since Jordan
forced the fedayeen to leave its territory in July
1971, they, have become progressively more disorgan-
ized and faction-ridden. Israeli operations against
fedayeen concentrations in southern Lebanon have
forced the Lebanese Government to restrict the feda-
yeen's freedom of movement and virtually ended sig-
nificant fedayeen operations in Israeli territory.
The Fatah leaders sense that some sort of activity
against Israel or its "allies" is necessary if the
fedayeen movement is not to disintegrate.
(continued)
Al
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(continued)
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Ifeda-
yeen activities are undertaken with a basic feel-
ing that the whole world, including their "brother
Arabs," is against them.
A3
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Top Secret
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