THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 26 DECEMBER 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993695
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: December 26, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
The President's Daily Brief
26 December 1972
45
25X1
CT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5B( I )121(31
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
26 December 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
It appears that Hanoi's population-is being evac-
uated. In South Vietnam, the enemy apparently
hopes to launch a new round of attacks before the
end of the year. (Page 1)
The Laotian Government's only base between the
Plaine des Jarres and the Vietnamese border is pre-
paring for a strong Communist assault. (Page 2)
The Lebanese Army has been fighting the fedayeen.
(Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
Hanoi's population apparently is being moved
to safer areas. A North Vietnamese intercept of
23 December included the statement that Hanoi was
being "completely evacuated."
25X1
25X1
Hanoi's
main
railroad
25X1
station naa been heavily damaged
and the
city's
electric power plant destroyed.
Hanoi's
radios
are still experiencing technical difficulties re-
sulting in impairment of audibility, but today's
programs are being broadcast on schedule. The Hanoi
airport apparently can be used by small planes. The
International Control Commission's weekly flight from
Saigon arrived there yesterday.
Although the reports of evacuation say
little about relocation sites, one of the
messages indicated that families were
being moved as units. This indicates
that the relocation process is proceeding
in an orderly manner.
The lull in fighting continues following the
one-day cease-fire proclaimed by both sides on
24-25 December. Intercepts indicate that the Com-
munists are telling their troops to observe the
next 24-hour cease-fire slated for 31 December
and 1 January.
There are, nevertheless, signs that the enemy
hopes to launch a new round of attacks before the
end of the year.
COSVN has ordered its forces to attack major tar?
-
gets in the area of Saigon during the week between
Christmas and New Year's Day. Enemy prisoners
captured in the central highlands over the weekend
had been told that their attacks had been part
of a broader military effort. Communist main-force
units have shifted closer to several government
strongpoints in the northern provinces as well.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Bouam Long, the only government stronghold re-
maining north of the Plaine des Jarres, is preparing
for a renewed Communist assault. Defending the base
are 1,200 troops and several hundred armed villagers.
Seven Communist battalions are closing on Bouam Long,
and heavy artillery, including 130-mm. guns, and pos-
sibly tanks are moving over newly constructed roads
into hills south of the town. Perimeter defenses are
being probed by enemy patrols today under cover of
light artillery shelling.
Should the enemy take Bouam Long?formerly
important as a staging area for General
Vang Pao's operations against Communist
supply lines--the tactical situation in
the north would not be drastically affected.
Bouam Long's significance is chiefly psy-
chological, as a holdout against the Com-
munists. Its loss, however, would be a
major blow to General yang Pao's Meo tribes-
men whose morale is already low after years
of debilitating fighting.
Bouam Long withstood Communist sieges in
1970 and 1971, largely because of US air
support.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
Lebanon-Fedayeen: The Lebanese Army clashed
twice with the fedayeen during the holiday weekend.
One fight occurred after the fedayeen refused to
evacuate one of their bases as ordered, the other
skirmish erupted when army troops fired on fedayeen
as they tried to move from one area to another. At
least one guerrilla was killed. A series of similar
sharp encounters occurred in early December as a re-
sult of fedayeen attempts to infiltrate areas of
southern Lebanon near Israel--in violation of their
agreement with the government.
West Germany: Disarmament experts and Foreign
Office officials are preparing to recommend to Chan-
cellor Brandt that West Germany should join France,
Italy, and Britain in supporting the idea that ini-
tial force reductions in Europe should be limited to
Soviet and American troops,2'
The issue is far from set-
tled, however; Defense Ministry experts, for example,
still hold that German troops should be included in
initial cuts of both stationed and indigenous forces.
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7
25X1
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79-T0093-6A011400210001-7
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400210001-7