THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF (MORNING) 28 APRIL 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976744
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 28, 1969

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007000230001-4
The President's Daily Brief
28 April 1969
(Morning)
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
MAJOR PROBLEMS
EUROPE
The French public has reacted calmly to the defeat of the
referendum (only the second of 18 referenda and plebesaites
held in France since 1793 to fail) and to De Gaulle's subse-
quent resignation? Although a few isolated outbreaks of vio-
lence have occurred, neither government supporters nor oppo-
sition forces have tried to provoke major civil disorders.
In any.event there are elaborate security plans to control
any outburst.
The resignation of De Gaulle after almost 11 years in
office will open a period of intense political maneuvering
and bargaining. Although no formal candidacies have been
announced, a Gaullist and a centrist are likely to be the
prime contenders. in the presidential election which must be
held between 20 and 35 days from today. Senate President
Alain Pohet, who will serve as interim president until the
election is heldvis almost certain to be a candidate and
will be backed by centrists and some leftists. The other
probable candidates are former prime minister Georges Pompi-
dou, who is certain to be the choice of most Gaullists,
In-
dependent , Republican leader Valery Giscard d'Estaing and
leftist leader Francois Mitterand. The Communists have no
candidate at the moment and the leaders of the party have
declared that they seek an alliance of all parties of the
left.
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During the interim period until the election, no basic
domestic or foreign policy changes are likely. Although Po-
her is an anti-Gaullist centrist, neither Prime Minister
Couve de Murville nor any of his cabinet has resigned and
poher does not have the constitutional power to remove them
without their consent. Furthermore, Poher is more likely to
focus his attention on the election campaign rather than
policy decisions.
In the referendum itself, slightly over 80 percent of
the electorate voted and almost 53 percent of these voted
"no." Interior Minister Marcellin announced that the votes
from the overseas territories cannot affect the outcome.
VIETNAM
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MIDDLE EAST
The fedayeen have been increasing their pressure on the
Jordanian Government and this raises the risk of a major clash
between them.
Various fedayeen organizations have been preparing for an
all-out confrontation with King Husayn since a joint communi-
que of 15 April repudiated his six-point peace plan, and Fatah
remains on an alert status. Furthermore, Prime Minister Rifai
tentatively agreed last week to permit Egyptian-based personnel
of the military branch of the Palestine Liberation Organization
to enter Jordan. Rifai stipulated however, that the transfer
would require Husayn's agreement after he returned from London
yesterday.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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It is doubtful that the King will agree to allow this
influx of troops, inasmuch as the fedayeen already constitute
virtually a state within a state in Jordan, and more units
would further jeopardize his position. Husayn is expected to
try to enforce stronger Controls over the fedayeen short of
an all-out clash. Even minor efforts to limit their opera-
tions however, will almost certainly meet With resistance
from the terrorists.
SOVIET AFFAIRS
As predicted, the coMmunique issued Saturday at the con-
clusion of the CEMA summit session was very bland, indicating
that few decisions were taken and major disagreement on eco-
nomic unity continues. Displaying unusual sensitivity, Pravda
yesterday took pains to denounce Western press reports that
"irreconcilable contradictions and incompatible interests"
exist among the CEMA members. The writer did not completely
deny the reports however, saying only that the session took
place in anatmosphere_of cordiality and that decisions of
"Major- importance" were adopted unanimously. The communique
did not even mention economic integration or creation of a
convertible currency for multilateral trade relations--two
of the major issues.
The session lasted four days, rather than the anticipated
two, indicating the probability that the nations stuck to their
previous positions on economic matters and that a variety of
political issues were also discussed.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
IL OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
BOLIVIA
In the aftermath of President Rene Barrientos' fiery
death in a helicopter crash yesterday, Vice President Luis
Adolfo Siles Salinas has been sworn in as president and the
armed forces have "guaranteed" the constitutional succession.
The armed forces remain the key to political power in
Bolivia. They probably will back Siles for the moment but
could oust him should he attempt to assert any independence.
Armed Forces Commander in Chief Alfredo Ovando is on his way
to Bolivia from the United States. Ovando had been considered
the probable winner in the presidential election scheduled for
July 1970. He may now decide to move before the election.
There is no evidence that the Barrientos crash was any-
thing but an accident. Siles has ordered a suspension of all
public and private activities for three days and a period of
national mourning for thirty days. La Paz and Cochabamba
(where the accident occurred) are calm with no evidence of
hostile political activity.
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Top Secret
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