THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 8 MAY 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005975736
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: May 8, 1968

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The President's Daily Brief
----T5rSrc-ge-L 8 May 1968
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THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
8 MAY 1968
1. France
2, Soviet Union
Despite De Gaulle's warning that
such things will not be tolerated, stu-
dent demonstrations began again early
this morning in Paris. This time the
students tried to march on the Sorbonne
but were pushed back by police. Yes-
terday's disturbances left 800 police-
men and students wounded.
The students, whose political
views range across the whole spectrum,
have so far been concerned only with
educational reform and alleged police
brutality. They have no discernible
political goals, although there is al-
ways the possibility that the sensi-
tive issue of Vietnam will crop up in
the disturbances.
Satellite photography of late
April has provided an excellent view
of the Soviet Union's most important
submarine construction facility. We
believe that 12 Polaris-type submarines
were then in the yard's construction
hall, and there are indications in the
photographs that the Soviets were get-
ting ready to launch one of them. Two
others of the same type were in the
yard's fitting-out area, and sections
of a 15th boat appeared ready to be
moved into the hall. As reported ear-
lier, the first of this class has
turned up at an operational base.
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3. Egypt-Israel
In a long conversation with Robert
Anderson, Nasir was friendly and some-
what-more forthcoming on the Arab-Israeli
question than he has been in public.
Among other things, he made the follow-
ing points:
--He said indirect talks under Jar-
ring's auspices about a settlement with
Israel would be acceptable. He reiter-
ated that the direct negotiations which
Israel is demanding are out of the ques-
tion.
--He said he would not give up "an
inch" of Egyptian territory and that
Sinai would have to be returned to Egypt.
For Gaza, which was never a formal part
of Egyptian territory, he said he would
go along with almost any solution which
did not involve an Israeli takeover.
--He showed a willingness to open
the Suez Canal to Israeli goods and
even Israeli ships, but only in gradual
stages and only if there was progress
on the Arab refugee question.
--He said that before diplomatic
relations with the US could be restored,
there would have to be some more posi-
tive statement from the US supporting
the implementation of last November's
Security Council resolution.
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4. Egypt -
Soviet Union
5. Nigeria
Two or more states in French-speak-
ing Africa may soon recognize the
Biafran secessionists. There is little
doubt that their decision to recognize
was stimulated partly by pressure from
the French, who have been fishing quiet-
ly in Nigeria's troubled waters for some
time. Tanzania, which three weeks ago
became the first state to recognize
Biafra, also had some French encourage-
ment.
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- Top Secret
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EYES ONLY
1.) Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
2.) North Vietnamese Reflections of U S
Political Attitudes
Top Secret
16
8 May 1968
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
8 May 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
Hanoi's Delegation: French press reports from
Hanoi say that Hanoi's chief negotiator in Paris,
Xuan Thuy, will be assisted by four principal aides.
The first named aide is Ha Van Lau, the man Hanoi
probably had in mind for the initial "contact" phase
of discussions with the US. Now that Hanoi has tele-
scoped the "contacts" and the substantive "talks,"
both Lau and Xuan Thuy have been included in the
delegation. Ha Van Lau may still be the man for
the initial part of the Paris talks. He arrived in
Paris yesterday.
The other three top aides are Nguyen Than Le,
an editor of Nhan Dan; Nguyen Minh Vy, another
press type whose current job is head of the govern-
ment's information service; and Phan Hien, a career
foreign service officer described as head of the For-
eign Ministry's "American Department."
Our embassy reports that the Communists are
looking for two large villas outside Paris to house
the delegation. They are bringing a full complement
of cooks, chauffeurs, and the like, in preparation
for a long stay.
* * *
North Vietnamese Arrivals in Paris: Ha Van Lau,
who led a contingent of 23 North Vietnamese arriving
in Paris yesterday, told assembled newsmen that he
is "optimistic" about the coming talks. Xuan Thuy
is still expected in Paris around noon tomorrow. He
left Hanoi yesterday morning and plans short stop-
overs in Peking and Moscow. The French have been
informed that Hanoi's total delegation will have 45
people.
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* * *
Soviet Propaganda on Paris Talks: Soviet propa-
ganda media have begun to swing into action support-
ing the approaching peace talks in Paris, while
continuing to stress the need for a cessation of all
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acts of war against North Vietnam. A Moscow domes-
tic commentary termed the coming talks "very grati-
fying," and the 6 May edition of Pravda reportedly
stated that "favorable prospects" have been created
to end "the dirty American war."
The Soviets give all credit to Hanoi for bring-
ing these talks about, of course, and keep referring
back to Hanoi's "initiative" of 3 April, ignoring
President Johnson's initiative of 31 March. Moscow
naturally condemns Washington's "twisting and turn-
ing" to avoid talks and hails the "farsighted and
realistic" position of the North Vietnamese.
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Soviet radio commentaries remind their listen-
ers, however, that the first order of business must
be the unconditional halt of bombing and acts of war
against North Vietnam. A Moscow domestic commentary
on 5 May points out that it is "inconceivable" that
further progress toward a peaceful settlement can
be made until this "minimum demand" is fulfilled.
* * *
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North Vietnam Port Improvements Under Way:
The Soviet Union is aiding in a wharf extension
project in Haiphong which should provide at least
one new berth and allow the Vietnamese to dock
nine ships at once in Haiphong. The construction
effort probably is aided by some diversion of
laborers previously committed to making bomb dam-
age repairs in the port area.
Silting problems which have long been un-
tended at Haiphong are now also being corrected.
A large suction dredge, supplied by the Soviets
in the 1950s, has recently appeared for the first
time since 1965, probably from sanctuary in China.
This dredge will probably be used to deepen the
main channel, allowing heavily laden ships to
enter the harbor.
The bombing halt may also allow the Vietnam-
ese to reorganize cargo handling procedures. Work
time is no longer being lost to frequent air raids
and work can now be done both day and night.
Reconstruction of the permanent petroleum
storage facility and pier, which were almost com-
pletely destroyed in 1965, may begin soon.
* * *
Hanoi Observes Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu:
Hanoi newspapers published special issues on 7 May
to commemorate the anniversary of Dien Bien Phu.
The army daily pushed hard at comparisons between
the battles at Dien Bien Phu and the current fight-
ing in the South. The message was that the Ameri-
cans were no more menacing than the French, and
the Communists today are much stronger militarily
than they were in the 1950s. Dien Bien Phu was a
"world renowned" Vietnamese victory, claimed the
propaganda, and serves as a source of inspiration
to the Liberation army today. The party daily de-
scribed the past three months as a period of
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continuing military offensive for the Viet Cong--
"the almost 100 days since the Tet offensive have
seen wave upon wave of attacks on dozens of cities,
provincial capitals and military bases" and the
"liberation" of large numbers of people and towns.
* * *
* * *
II. NORTH VIETNAMESE REFLECTIONS OF US POLITICAL
ATTITUDES ON THE WAR
day.
There is nothing of significance to report to-
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