THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 24 APRIL 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005974397
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: April 24, 1968

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The President's Daily Brief
24 April 1968
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DAILY BRIEF
24 APRIL 1968
1. Vietnam
2. Soviet Union
3. North Korea
The Viet Cong radio announced yes-
terday that a national "congress" was
held near Saigon last weekend by the
Vietnam Alliance of National, Democratic,
and peace Forces. The meeting, alleg-
edly attended by many notables from
South Vietnamese cities, was said to
have elected a central committee and
adopted a program.
This is an obvious move to set the
stage for a political settlement on Com-
munist terms. The Communists had ear-
lier explained that the local "alliances,"
which they say have been set up in var-
ious "liberated" areas since Tet, would
form a national grouping. That, in turn,
would ultimately join in a coalition
with the National Liberation Front to
replace the Thieu-Ky government.
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4. South Korea
5. Indonesia
6. Communist
Conference
Suharto, beset by domestic opposi-
tion, has altered plans for the price
increases required under the anti-infla-
tion program. Moslem radicals are
threatening nationwide demonstrations
if there are sharp price increases.
Rather than risk bloodshed, Suharto has
ordered a two-phase increase with the
first step to be announced 28 April.
The second increase would come in
June--but only if Suharto has enough
pledges of foreign economic help to
persuade the public that the recovery
program would continue.
Some 70 party delegations convene
today in Budapest to begin work on the
agenda for the full-scale international
conference late this year. Signs are
that the Rumanians and Yugoslays will
be among the missing. The Czechs are
reluctant, but at this delicate junc-
ture in their relations with Moscow,
they probably feel they have no real
alternative,but to go.
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7. Czechoslovakia
8. Cuba
An economist close to Deputy Pre-
mier Sik went out of his way on Monday
to inquire "personally" whether the US
might grant Czechoslovakia a loan. He
told a US Embassy officer that the loan
could be used to acquire Western con-
sumer goods. He added that the reform-
ers now in control badly need some kind
of highly visible economic success in
order to keep the "conservatiVes" at
bay.
The economist said his meeting
with the embassy officer had been
cleared with Sik, but that his ques-
tion about a loan was his own.
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
24 April 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
* * *
,Hanoi Propaganda: -North Vietnamese media con-.
tinue to make propaganda hay over the site issue.
Hanoi has offered nothing new in its. treatment dur-
ing the past several days; Phnom Penh or Warsaw are
offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis.
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A Nhan Dan article broadcast yesterday rebuts
Secretary Clifford's weekend statements with a
charge that they were intended to fend off world
criticism of the US. US arguments, it said, are
"unsound and ill-meant," and "cannot hold water."
The paper quotes Western press stories critical of
US policy and claims that in the midst of this
"propaganda ploy," the US is stepping up its at-
tacks on North Vietnam as well as the pace of the
war in the South. It takes note of Representative
Mendel Rivers' "threat" on 20 April that the US
will use greater military force if the North does
not accept ?US conditions for talks. The article
closes with a familiar line that the world is de-
manding that the US "prove its good will, if any,"
by agreeing to either Phnom Penh or Warsaw for
contacts with Hanoi.
North Vietnamese in Mexico: The long-planned
visit to Mexico by Hanoi's ambassador in Cuba began
yesterday. On arriving at the Mexico City airport,
the North Vietnamese. told newsmen that his visit is
"a friendly one, to explain my government's view-
points." He is scheduled to meet today with Foreign
Minister Carrillo Flores, and presumably will see
President Diaz Ordaz later on. He will be in Mexico
until Friday.
Mexican newsmen have been quick to speculate
that Hanoi intends to propose Mexico City as the
site for US --North Vietnamese contacts.
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A New Viet Cong Appeal to the South: The Viet
Cong radio on 20 April broadcast a Communist version
of a "Chieu Hoi" appeal. It was an elaboration of
previous Communist efforts to encourage defections
among civilian workers of the Saigon government And
South Vietnamese troops. This time, however, the
Communists tried to create a sense of urgency by
characterizing the present situation as "decisive"
and "historic." The appeal strongly implied an
anticipated increase in the tempo of military activity
by using such language as "seething and fierce," and
"constant offensive and comprehensive uprising" to
describe the current period.
The appeal was directed specifically at South
Vietnamese officers, troops, and policemen. It
offered special citations and awards to anyone who
cooperates with the "revolutionary armed forces" in
destroying outposts, warehouses, airfields, wharves,
or prisons.
The appeal seems to be saying that South Viet-
namese officials will have plenty of opportunity to
cooperate with the Communists in the coming weeks.
It says that "during attacks on cities and provin-
cial and district capitals by revolutionary forces,"
those who cooperate "will be noted for their achieve-
ments."
* * *
Haiphong Rail and Highway Bridge: Photography
of 19 April shows that Haiphong's only rail and
highway bridge is apparently serviceable again. It
was last attacked in March.
* * *
Thai Nguyen Thermal Power Plant:. Photography
of 18 April shows that the Thai Nguyen Thermal
Power Plant--last bombed in August 1967--is probably
operational. Smoke is seen coming from a flue lead-
ing to the generator hall, and coal piles near the
generator hall show use. It is believed that the
plant is partially operational and that its recon-
struction is likely to continue.
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