THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 17 JUNE 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976831
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: June 17, 1969

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007200140001-2
The President's Daily Brief
17 June 1969
19
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007200140001-2
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
I. MAJOR PROBLEMS
MIDDLE EAST
Since the six-day war, both Egypt and Israel have
been upgrading their early-warning radar capabilities,
and both countries are now substantially better prepared
for any eventuality. In 1967 the Israelis penetrated
Egyptian airspace both by flying under the Egyptian radar
screen and by approaching Egyptian territory along routes
not adequately protected by existing radars. A new study
shows that this will not be so easy in the future.1
Because of its smaller size, Israel needs far fewer
radar sites.
/ In addition, occupation of the Sinai
provides a larger buffer zone between Egyptian airfields
and the Israeli cities.
VIETNAM
Two rocket rounds were fired into downtown Saigon on
16 June, with no casualties and minor damage. Communist
forces staged several attacks on allied positions. At
1
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least two North Vietnamese regiments in northern South Viet-
nam are moving about, possibly a prelude to withdrawal for
refitting.
There is nothing significant to report on Europe or
Soviet Affairs.
OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
SUDAN
Three weeks after seizing power, the new regime-seems
firmly entrenched. It has faced no effective resistance,
and none is in sight for the moment. The populace seems
willing to allow the regime a chance to fulfill its professed
intentions; it has been quite successful in playing on pop-
ular discontent with the corruption of the former government.
The ultimate political orientation of the regime, how-
ever, still remains in doubt. The government is mouthing
the usual Arab nationalist slogans, but there has been a slow
drift to the left. In terms of numbers the Communist position
is substantial, with a dozen or more top-level positions in
the cabinet and the military-dominated Revolutionary Council
held by known Communists. Some factions within the party,
however, are concerned that close identification with the
government could endanger its future should a strong anti-
Communist reaction occur. The party also continues to be
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007200140001-2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007200140001-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
troubled by internal dissension, with some factions maneuver-
ing to oust the present secretary general.
The degree of Egyptian influence in the new regime is
.also not clear. Pro-Egyptians, including the new prime minis-
ter, occupy important positions in the government, and Cairo
has expressed great satisfaction with developments2
Neither would find much comfort in a Communist re-
gime in the Sudan, and it is likely that they will work to
prevent such a consequence.
Whatever the outcome of the present maneuvering for
power, the regime will be faced with an almost insurmountable
task of building a modern state. Sudan's economic backward-
ness, its racial, religious and culturally divided populace,
and its primitive political institutions present a challenge
that has baffled all previous governments; this one is not
likely to do much better.
ROCKEFELLER MISSION
Governor Rockefeller's arrival in Brasilia was unmarred
by threatened violence. In Rio, police seem to have most of
the violence-prone leftist leaders under wraps for the dura-
tion of the visit but some demonstrations and a few noise
bombs in the streets can be expected. In Sao Paulo, dissi-
dents are still planning violence, and local security forces
may react with greater vigor than in the other Brazilian
cities. The ensuing street fight, if it occurs, will be
noisy and could be bloody.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007200140001-2
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Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007200140001-2