THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 10 SEPTEMBER 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976349
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: September 10, 1968

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The President's Daily Brief
'7FT-5rc-Fe,.L10 September 1968
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THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
10 SEPTEMBER 1968
Czechoslovakia -
Soviet Union
LATE ITEM
Premier Cernik arrived in Moscow
this morning. He will be discussing
economic matters with Soviet leaders.
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.THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
10 SEPTEMBER 1968
1. Czechoslovakia -
Soviet Union
2, Soviet Union
There is little to indicate that
talks between Kuznetsov and Czechoslo-
vak leaders are resolving outstanding
differences.
Prague, however, continues to pro-
vide newsmen with optimistic copy, about
the visit of the Soviet deputy foreign
minister. This morning's Washington
Post, for instance, quotes Czechoslovak
sources stating Kuznetsov is offering
a "compromise plan" including a time-
table for withdrawal of foreign troops.
Prague leaders would like such a compro-
mise and it is undoubtedly being dis-
cussed, but thus far there is nothing
to suggest this is Kuznetsov's mission.
The Soviets, meanwhile, have
again turned a critical eye on the
Czechoslovak press. After several
days, during which Russian commentators
had used a reasonably balanced line,
TASS last night issued a statement
blasting Czechoslovak newspapers for
taking "antisocialist positions."
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3, East Germany
4. Panama
5. France
The East Germans have interned
Czechoslovak citizens who were visit-
ing East Germany at the time of the
invasion. The Czechoslovaks are being
detained in camps on the Baltic coast
where they apparently are being "re-
educated."
The French told Arias they will
consider a larger investment in Panama.
Among the projects discussed during
Arias' Paris visit were a dam, indus-
trial development in the Colon Free
Zone, and more French technical aid.
At present, French economic involve-
ment in Panama is minimal. Arias is
now in New York.
De Gaulle is preoccupied with
France's own problems. This was clear
from the short shrift given to foreign
affairs in yesterday's presidential
press conference. There was no men-
tion of Vietnam nor substantive refer-
ence to the US.
For Frenchmen, there was little
new in what the General had to say, al-
though he left no doubts that he would
move quickly and harshly if there are
new outbreaks. As described by Ambassa-
dor Shriver, the conference was "poor
food for hungry sheep."
* * *
The second French thermonuclear
device detonated Sunday
Press reports from
Paris state this will conclude the
1968 test series.
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6, Mexico
Mexican students have found they
are able to exercise some influence on
national affairs and they will be heard
from again,r
Diaz Ordaz' main concern was re-
storing order before the Olympics open
on 12 October, and he did not react to
the disturbances with his usual dynamism.
This may change after the Olympics,
but, for now, the students feel they
have put dents in the government's con-
trol apparatus,(
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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
10 September 1968
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
10 September 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
Report from Hanoi:
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authorities are 50X1
actively preparing for the postwar period but trying
to avoid giving any signs of this to the United States.
for instance, a population census had 50X1
recently been completed 50X1
to assist postwar planning. The census was not 50X1
icized 50X1
These comments add to a growing body of evidence
of increased attention in Hanoi to the problems and
opportunities a postwar situation will bring. The evi-
dence is too thin to support any solid conclusions about
Communist intentions, however. Some reports could re-
flect only normal stocktaking by Hanoi in the wake of
US bombing restrictions as well as contingency planning
?against the possibility of an early end to the war.
also claimed that civil defense pre-
cautions against resumption of US air attacks have fal-
tered, that no more air raid shelters are be-
ing built in Hanoi, that government offices have re-
sumed normal operations in the city, and that people
are ignoring the regime's efforts to uphold population
evacuation and dispersal policies.
* * *
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Hanoi Observations:
Communications: A conference of outstanding
truck drivers was held in Hanoi in mid-August. With
such slogans as "Let's love our trucks as our sons and
prize fuel as our blood," the conference made front
page news, and the First Secretary of the Lao Dong
party, Le Duan, addressed the drivers with extravagant
words of praise. For those of us who are not allowed
to drive in Hanoi because it is "too dangerous," and
have observed the almost incredible lack of road disci-
pline, consideration, technique, and thought of the
drivers in Hanoi, and the obvious inefficiency of the
maintenance procedures, it was refreshing to read Nhan
Dan's editorial on 14 August which launched out into an
attack on lack of training, bad discipline, and dis-
obedience of the rules. It commented, in a remarkable
statement of the obvious, that political consciousness
was not enough: technical training was also necessary.
Savings Campaign: The regime is making fresh
efforts to encourage long-term saving. After a long
period of attempting to achieve their objective by of-
fering prizes to those depositors who drew a lucky num-
ber, the Council of Ministers has now decreed that
depositors leaving their money in the bank for five
years will be entitled to 2 percent on their deposit.
Newspaper reports claim, in curious contrast, that
savings are increasing.
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Market Prices and Wages: There has been some
talk of rising prices, but 50X1
the tale does not seem to 50X1
be substantiated. There are temporary changes due to
weather conditions or seasonal disappearance of certain
foods, but no evidence of a long-term 50X1
trend of rising prices on either the free market or the
black market as a whole. There is no change in official
prices for basic rations nor in wage rates.
* * *
II. NORTH VIETNAMESE REFLECTIONS OF US POLITICAL ATTI-
TUDES ON THE WAR
Reaction to Mansfield/Goldberg Statements: The North
Vietnamese delegation in Paris has responded quickly with
at least qualified approval of statements made recently by
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?
former Ambassador Goldberg and Senate Majority Leader
Mike Mansfield. According to Western wire service re-
ports, the North Vietnamese spokesman in Paris said
that both Mansfield and Goldberg, when "faced with
reality," had arrived at the "realistic position" that
the bombing must stop before progress can be made in
Paris. In response to a question, the spokesman empha-
sized that a bombing halt must be accompanied by the
cessation of "all acts of war" against North Vietnam
and the recognition and inclusion of the Liberation
Front in any discussions affecting South Vietnam.
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