THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 1 SEPTEMBER 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976963
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: September 1, 1969

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3
The President's Daily Brief
I September 1969
19
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
President Thieu announced his cabinet today. He said he
was pleased with it despite the fact that it did not include
all the elements and people he had hoped to get. There are a
number of important new faces and stronger and more competent
ministries to replace weak ones in the Huong cabinet, Premier
Khiem will have more of a team and enjoy more respect and
cooperation in the asseMbly- Khiem himself will continue as
Minister of Interior. Senator Tran Van Don was offered the
post of Veterans Affairs with title Minister of State but he
refused. The post was then given to a member of his National
Salvation Front. Tran Van Lam was named Foreign Minister.
Nguyen Van Bong refused to serve as Minister of State but
agreed to cooperate with the government while maintaining the
Progressive Nationalist Movement in a posture of ".constructive
opposition.",
. LIBYA
A military group took the occasion of the absence of King
Idris in Turkey to declare an Arab Republic of Libya early this
morning. The so-called "Revolutionary Council" apparently con-
trols Tripoli and probably Benghazi but whether it has mastered
forces loyal to the King throughout the country is still unclear.
The U.S. Charge is of the opinion that very junior officers seem
to be running the show. The "Council" stated that the rights of
all foreigners will be respected as well as Libya's interna-
tional obligations.
The coup attempt would appear to be internally inspired.
Many of the military hve long been antagonistic to the
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
relationship between the King and the Shalhi brothers whom it
was thought would be designated to take over control of the
country after his death. The King is 80 years old, in ailing
health and has frequently threatened to abdicate--the latest
time last week. Apparently he made the threat once too often
and some military officers have taken him up on it. There
is at present no evidence of outside influence in the coup.
While a republican government would doubtless be more militant
in the Arab-Israeli situation than was the monarchy, there
does not appear to be any direct connection between recent
events in the Middle East and the coup attempt. It is too
early to assess what a successful coup would mean as far as
the two main U.S. interests in the area are concerned
U.S. petroleum companies and Wheelus Air Force Base.
BRAZIL
President Costa e Silva suffered a stroke late last week
and the military has decided to by-pass the constitution which
would call Vice President Pedro Aleixo, a civilian, to take
over during the President's incapacitation. Instead an institu-
tional act was issued designating the three military ministers
General Lyra Tavares (army), Admiral Rademaker Grunewald (navy)
and Marshal Souza e Mello (air force) to take over the powers of
the Presidency until Costa e Silva is able to resume his duties.
The best estimate is that he will be incapacitated at least 60 to
90 days although
no one seriously believes he
be able to resume power. This is the ?first institutional act
to be issued in the name of the military (as opposed to the
President) since 1964.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007500010001-3