THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 8 APRIL 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006014766
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 8, 1975

Declassified in P-art - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T006.'36A012600010003-4
The President's Daily Brief
April 8, 1975
J
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
cxetontion category 513(1),(2).(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
4, I L
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
April 8, 1975
.Table of Contents
South Vietnam: ? The attempted bombing of the presi-
dential palace this morning does not seem to
have been part of a major conspiracy against
President Thieu, but it will surely heighten
tensions. (Page 1)
Cambodia: Khmer communist ground attacks have
forced further government withdrawals in the
area north of Pochentong airport.' (Page 3)
USSR: The Soviets are patrolling the Pacific Ocean
area where the Glomar Explorer raised part of
their submarine. (Page 5)
Saudi Arabia:
(Page 6)
Egypt:. Yasir Arafat is in Cairo attempting to re-
pair strained relations with. Egypt.. (Page 7)
Syria: The Syrian Baath Party congress is expected
to elect a new party executive group that will
be more responsive to President Asad. (Page 8)
CSCE: Another troublesome issue may soon be re-
solved. (Page 9)
Note: USSR (Page 10)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
104
106
NORTH
VIETNA
1C3 110
Demilitarized Zone
Hue ,
MR 1
MR 2
Gulf of
Thailand
104
Vung Tau
Capital Special Zone
riPhan Rang
South
China
Sea
Communist controlled
territory
Ica MILES
170
1110
16- -
14.-
12- -
557640 4-75 CIA
v
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
25X1
Declassified inPart-- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SOUTH VIETNAM
The attempted bombing of the presi-
dential palace this morning does not ap-
pear to have been part of a major con-
spiracy against President Thieu. Even
so, it will be sure to heighten tensions
among South Vietnamese military leaders.
/Thieu suspects
his old rival, General Nguyen Cao Ky, of respon-
sibility for the attempt. This seems borne out by
Thieu's subsequent public statement blaming the
bombing on a "group or faction" that had been un-
able to generate sufficient support to oust him
and had thus turned to an assassination attempt.
gov-
ernment security, forces are now deployed around the
homes of various political opponents of Thieu--
including Ky's--but no arrests have been made.
Thieu has also ordered the Military Region 3 com-
mander, General Toan, to assume direct control of
Bien Hoa air base and to exercise strict control
over air force operations.
The bombing occurred at about 8:30 a.m. Saigon
time, shortly after two South Vietnamese air force
F-5s took off from Bien Hoa air base north of Sai-
gon for a bombing run near Phan Thiet City. One
of the planes veered over Saigon and dropped two
bombs, the closest of which landed about 30 yards
from the palace. US officials in Saigon report
that there were no fatalities
There was no appreciable public disorder after
the incident, but Saigon has been placed under cur-
few and Tan Son Nhut Airport temporarily closed.
Most military action is still focused on the
delta. The communists began their assault on the
Moc Hoa front early yesterday against a government
position less than eight miles from that provincial
capital. Communist-initiated activity is also grow-
ing in other parts of the delta, particularly in
Dinh Tuong Province. The North Vietnamese 4th Di-
vision is exerting pressure on Can Tho City defen-
ses, but has made no appreciable gains. The com-
munists also have not had much success with their
increased sabotage operations against the major
delta highways.
(continued)
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15: CIA-RDP79T00936A0-12600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
General Toan, commander of the provinces around
Saigon and now responsible for the few remaining
government enclaves in the central coastal provinces,
made an inspection tour of these areas last weekend
and has taken steps to shore up the government's
positions. He has established a forward command
headquarters at Phan Rang, in Ninh Thuan Province.
Toan found that most of the government's territor-
ial-forces were still in place around the Phan Rang
area,
General Toan(
/is checking the situa-
tion north of Phan Rang and may consider moving
forces there if he can reorganize his troops rap-
idly enough--and if the communists do not move first.
Some government naval units have moved into the Nha
Trang area and are reported to be holding positions
at the port and at the airfield.
General Toan claims he is satisfied that all
returning government units and stragglers at sev-
eral locations east of Saigon are under control,
and that progress is being made reorganizing them
into usable military units. In addition to the
Marines and 2nd Division troops that are being re-
grouped, over 7,000 officers and men of the South
Vietnamese 22nd Division--perhaps a half of that
unit's former strength--have reached the Vung Tau
area.
Hanoi, meanwhile, is sending one of its last
three reserve divisions to South Vietnam. The head-
quarters of the 312th Division was detected yester-
day in the panhandle near the South Vietnamese bor-
der. This division belongs to the North Vietnamese
1st Corps and is the third division of that command
to move south in recent weeks.
The 1st Corps and its divisions may well be
headed for the Saigon area. Most of these troops
could reach the provinces north of Saigon in about
a month. They have been training in conventional
tactics for about two years, and are considered
good units. The arrival of this force in southern
South Vietnam would sharply tilt the military bal-
ance in favor of the communists.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Phnom Penh
Conimun
units cross
/
Gap in defense linee
Tuol
Leap.
Prey Veng
Neak Luong
Government defense line
557644 4-75 CIA
e ?
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
25X1
Declassified in Part-- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A0126.00010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
Khmer communist ground attacks
have forced further government with-
drawals in the area north of Pochentong
airport. Our defense attaches, who
visited the area yesterday, reported
that Cambodian officers have expressed
their belief that "the end is near."
Government troops located on the Mekong River
northeast of the capital claim that insurgent forces
are crossing the river. This may portend a major
communist ground push south toward the main navy
headquarters. Southeast of the capital, government
reinforcements are moving into blocking positions
on Route 1 in anticipation of increased attacks by
communist forces moving up the highway from the
Neak Luong - Banam area.
In the countryside, the southwestern provinc-
ial capital of Kompong Speu and the southeastern
provincial capital of Prey Veng are seriously
threatened. ' The army high command stripped Kompong
Speu of its best units several weeks ago to rein-
force Phnom Penh's defense, and the communists have
been making steady gains: against.the territorial
units that are defending the town. Insurgent units
briefly penetrated the town's market place on Sun-
day before being pushed back. At Prey Veng, com-
munist attacks have forced government troops to
abandon positions north of the town', and some fight-
ing has occurred along the city's outskirts. A
recent intercepted message indicates that govern-
ment.troops at. the northern provincial capital of
Kompong Cham have contacted local communist forces
to discuss the possibility of surrender.
Thai Foreign Minister Chatchai's claim yes--
terday that Cambodian "negotiations" would be. held
soon in Bangkok is probably unfounded. Prince
Sihanouk's son, Prince Yuvaneath,.Was scheduled to
arrive in Bangkok yesterday at Thai government in-
vitation. Chatchai may have arranged a meeting
between Yuvaneath and Cambodian Prime Minister Long
(continued)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Declassified inPart n- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012-600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Boret, who also arrived in Bangkok yesterday on his
way back to Phnom Penh.
Even if Chatchai manages to bring the two Cam-
bodians together, it is highly unlikely that any
substantive discussions will take place. Prince
Yuvaneath would
be unlikely to have any real authority to speak for
his father, let alone the Khmer communists. In dis-
cussions with the US charge last week, Chatchai him-
self admitted that the chances for any breakthrough
are "slight." At best, Yuvaneath might relay some
message from Boret to his father. Under present
conditions, however, Boret would appear to have
little to offer the other side except surrender.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
25X1
Declassified inPart - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR
The Soviets are patrolling the Pa-
cific Ocean area where the Glomar Explorer
raised part of their submarine and are
again patrolling the site in the Atlantic
Ocean where one of their submarines sank
in 1970.
The Soviets still have made no public
mention of the Glomar Explorer story, and
it is becoming clearer that they want to
avoid the subject if possible.
Last week, the Soviet delegate to the Law of
the Sea conference in Geneva told his US counter-
part that the Soviets "do not want to say anything"
about the Glomar Explorer. He was pleased when the
US official said we did not intend to bring the
subject up at the conference.
During a reception in Moscow last Friday,
Premier Kosygin greeted Ambassador Stoessel with
what the ambassador called "ostentatious cordiality."
Within earshot of many Soviet and East European
bigwigs, Kosygin assured the ambassador of the So-
viet Union's desire to continue on the path of de-
tente despite "those" who try to drive a wedge be-
tween the two countries. Kosygin expressed pleasure
that Governor Harriman, an "old friend," is coming
to the USSR for VE Day. He said he is looking
forward to economic talks this week with Secretary
Simon and asked that his and General Secretary
Brezhnev's warmest wishes be passed to you and Sec-
retary Kissinger.
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
25X1
Declassified in Part-- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SAUDI ARABIA
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
6
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003 4
c )
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EGYPT
Palestine Liberation Organization
Chairman Yasir Arafat is in Cairo at-
tempting to repair strained relations
with Egypt. In meetings with President
Sadat, Arafat almost certainly is argu-
ing against Egyptian participation in
another round of step-by-step negotia-
tions and seeking assurances that Egypt
will insist on a role for the PLO if the
Geneva talks resume.
Arafat conferred briefly with Sadat at the
funeral of King Faysal late last month and may have
received some'indications that Cairo would now be
more receptive to Palestinian desires.
Sadat, who within a few months must face an
Arab summit. and the prospect of a.Geneva confer-
ence, wants to reduce the level of Palestinian op-
position to his negotiating tactics, but this will
not prompt him to make-major-concessions to the PLO.
Sadat will probably seek Arafat's agreement that
the other Arabs should be allowed to negotiate the
terms and timing.of-the Palestinians.' attendance
at Geneva. Sadat is likely to refuse to defend
actively the Palestinians' preference for an inde--
pendent PLO delegation. The Egyptians will probably
repeat--at least for bargaining-purposes--their
earlier suggestion-that-the Palestinians could be
represented by the 20-member Arab League..
Arafat and other PLO leaders most likely would
not agree to be represented by the Arab League, or
to the incorporation of Palestinian representatives
into the delegation of a single Arab state. The
relatively moderate leaders of the PLO would, how-
ever, probably be willing to endure the wrath of
their radical colleagues by accepting a formula
that designates the PLO as one ofseveral members
of a single, joint Arab delegation.
The two parties are unlikely to settle the
representation issue--or much else--during Arafat's
visit. The-visit, however, probably will reduce
some. of the friction-in Egyptian-Palestinian rela-
tions, thereby relieving Arafat of the need to rely
so heavily on Syria for political support.
Arafat's aim, during the current period of
diplomatic uncertainty, is to get on-good terms with
all of his traditional backers, He has visited six
Arab states in the past week, and reportedly plans
an early trip to the USSR.
7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A0-12600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SYRIA
The Syrian Baath Party congress,
which opened last Saturday, is expected
to elect a new party executive group
that will be more responsive to Presi-
dent Asad than was the outgoing execu-
tive.
The congress will,oalso debate and probably en-
dorse whatever approach Asad now decides to take on
Middle East peace negotiations.
The President and his supporters have taken a
number of measures over the past few weeks to en-
sure that the congress is stacked in their favor.
It now seems likely that the charges of conspiring
with Iraq lodged against some 2507300 party members
in mid-March were, at least in some cases, part of
this political maneuvering.
The arrests ?have generated an undercurrent of
uneasiness in Damascus and produced a bumper crop
of coup and counter-coup rumors.
8
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
-- Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4 ?
4 CI -J. ?-./
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CSCE
Another troublesome issue at the
European Security Conference in Geneva
may soon be resolved. The Western allies
and neutral delegates are ready to ac-
cept in principle a Soviet proposal that
would end the deadlock over one of the
major military-related "confidence-build-
ing measures."
In mid-March Soviet representatives hinted
that Moscow could accept the Western idea of pro-
viding advance notice about national and multina-
tional maneuvers ?to all conference participants,
providing such notification is given on .a voluntary
basis. They also suggested that Moscow would make
some concessions concerning the size and site of
maneuvers to be affected by the agreement reached
in Geneva.
Last week, most of the NATO allies agreed that
they should hint to the Soviet delegates that the
West would accept the idea of voluntary notifica-
tion if the Soviets are forthcoming concerning the
issues of size and area of maneuvers.
Resolution of this issue would increase the
optimism of both Eastern and Western delegations.
The Soviets have recently shown some signs of flexi-
bility on other outstanding issues and seem anxious
to finish this stage of the conference in time for
a final summit-level meeting on June 30. The in-
creasingly weary Western delegations also are anx-
ious to conclude the conference. They are now dis-
cussing the possibility of completing this stage by
the end of May or mid-June.
9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTE
The approximately 875 Jews who emigrated from
the Soviet:U4ion in March were the fewest to leave
in one month in more than three years.
The number of emigrants has been dropping
steadily this year; the first quarter total of just
over 3,000 was nearly 50 percent below the compara-
ble figure for 1974. Soviet officials are reducing
the flow by discouraging applications, rather than
by increasing outright refusals. At the same time
they are cutting back the number of emigrants, the
Soviets are applying the carrot and the stick to
Jewish activists. Recently, several have been al-
lowed to emigrate, for example, but two others have
been exiled to Siberia because they took part in a
brief Moscow street demonstration-. -Moscow's policy
may be to get ,rid of the most articulate Jewish
activists, particularly those who are well known
-
in. the West, and to intimidate the others.
10
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010003-4