THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 17 APRIL 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976728
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 17, 1969

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007000150001-3
The President's Daily Brief
17 April 1969
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
18 April 1969
LATE NOTES FOR THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF OF
17 APRIL 1969
MAJOR PROBLEVS
SOVIET AFFAIRS
Yesterday's events in Czechoslovakia mark the end of
the Dubcek experiment to fuse socialism with democracy.
The "realism" of new party first secretary Gustav Husak re-
places the idealism of Alexander Dubcek. To most Czechoslo-
vaks, the change means succumbing to Soviet pressures with a
new leadership responsive to Moscow's demands.
The central committee reduced the size of the party pre-
sidium from 23 to 11 members, in the process removing from
power 11 of Dubcek's moderate and liberal supporters.
The new leadership is dominated by "realists," most of
whom, like Husak, believe that the only feasible course is
cooperation with Moscow. Dubcek was named to the new pre-
sidium, but the outspoken Josef Smrkovsky was dropped. The
shifts probably presage similar changes in the government
leadership.
Husak advocates closely controlled reform. In his maiden
speech, Husak said his administration would not abandon the
reforms begun last year, but their continuation was absolutely
dependent on an end to anti-Soviet dissidence. He said he
intends to review reform programs, and warned that under his
leadership liberty would not be "without limits."
Husak faces an uphill task. He must try to convince the
people that the changes are for the best. In order to be ef-
fective, he must overcome the distrust of the Czechs, many of
whom despise his Slovak nationalism and his attacks on the
liberal mass media.
FOR 77-/F PRESIDENT ONLY
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Prague was quiet last night. The general public may
well turn away from politics with an air of resignation.
Young workers and students are likely to be less tractable.
(Central Intelligence Bulletin, 18 Apr)
The Soviets yesterday condlicted their first extended-
range test of an SS-9 ICBM carrying multiple re-entry vehicles.
Yesterday's flight was the
first in what may be a series of extended-range tests. (Cen-
tral Intelligence Bulletin, lp Apr)
There is nothing significant to report on the Middle
East, Europe, or Vietnam.
II. OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
KOREA
At today's Military Armistice Commission meeting, the
statement of the senior North Korean representative dealt only
with charges of DMZ violations and made no mention of the air-
craft shootdown. When the UN Command member, General Knapp,
made his protest, the North Korean asked to what unit the
plane had been attached. After this question was reiterated,
General Knapp walked out.
The Soviet destroyer Vdokhnovennyy, rendezvousing with
the USS Tucker, this morning turned over a number of items
of clothing and equipment recovered from the downed aircraft.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007000150001-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
MAJOR PROBLEMS
SOVIET AFFAIRS
Alexander Dubcek is out as first secretary of the Czech-
oslovakian Communist Party, but is still on the Presidium.
Dubd,ek has been replaced in the top party job by Gustav Husak,
whose more conservative bent is less grating to Moscow.
Husak, a fierce Slovak nationalist whose elevation will be
resented by the Czechs, has adopted a more pragmatic approach
to relations with the Soviet Union.
The Czechoslovakian party central committee has been
meeting all afternoon and some announcement of its proceed-
ings is expected early this evening. Meanwhile, the atmosphere
in Prague is tense with security forces prepared for demon-
strations. With Dubcek out, there could be trouble in the
capital city tonight.
We will be reporting developments during the evening
and will summarize the situation in the Late Notes tomorrow
morning.
VIETNAM
North Vietnam is far along in laying an oil pipeline
system to provide logistic support of the war effort in
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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