THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 25 OCTOBER 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977057
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: October 25, 1969

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
The President's Daily Brief
25 October 1969
10
et
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
25 October 1969
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
The political atmosphere in Libya, and its implica-
tions for US interests there, are commented on
(Page 4)
The Chinese have resumed road construction in north-
west Laos, both for support of antigovernment forces
there and possible future aid to insurgents in Thai-
land. (Page 5)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
50X1
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
V I ETNAM
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
50X1
50X1
50X1
50X1
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
President Thieu's six-party political front has
been weakened even further by the withdrawal of one
of its members. The leader of the Social .Democratic
Party said yesterday that his party was leaving the
National Social Democratic Front because it served
no useful purpose in national politics and was not
involved "in any significant activity."
The Social Democrats are one of the small-
est groups in the Front, but their support
comes from the Hoa Hao religious sect,
making them the one truly southern-oriented
party in the Front.
Although Thieu has never looked to the
Front to provide the main base of his sup-
port, in the past few weeks he has met
twice with the parties' leaders in an ef-
fort to prod them into grassroots activity.
By giving more personal attention to the
Front, Thieu may be able to keep it to-
gether, but it is increasingly unlikely
that it will become a real political force.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR-CH INA
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
50X1
50X1
50X1
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LIBYA
We have earlier noted the apparent intent of the
new government to move toward the closing of the US
base at Wheelus field. The path down which the youth-
ful junta is taking the country has disturbing impli-
cations for other US interests in Libya as well
--There is a marked trend toward an anti-
US attitude on the part of the military re-
gime. The US in particular is being por-
trayed by the controlled news media as an
enemy of the Arab people, and of Libya
specifically. Wheelus Air Base is pictured
as a colonialist vestige of the overthrown
monarchy, and the American Embassy as a
sanctuary of pro-Israeli elements.
--Another recurring press theme is the
"security threat" to Libya and the Arab
world posed by the US. American policies
are viewed as deliberately calculated to
deprive the Arabs of their rights in the
area. This campaign probably is intended
to isolate the American community by con-
vincing Libyans they should shun American
contacts.
--The deteriorating political atmosphere,
plus the growing inability to irmort sup-
plies and control operations, har resulted
in significant changes in oil colTany plan-
ning. Some firms apparently ar,, sharply
reducing planned investments. Other US
commeraial interests are similarly feeling
the pinch.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
Northern Laos: Chinese Have Resumed Road Construction
BURMA
NORTH
VIETNAM
THAILAND
CAMBODIA
SO
VIET
NAM
VIETNAM
Phc:41g Saly
Meng-la
/
,--- Muong Singrd ofti
A ,, ??
G6cern.42pe ( Batenc.9 Pi
--N-1,-----..--1(Mhugunag\
,oper.otzons ...41,,,,, , _,??? 412 II,' .k
----'----- ....... 1 . 32 1 ,,,,----- ,,?Totrridge?cgri truction ,,,
/ ....."'"..- , - t' C,
) - Namf-h3,-. .....,/ I"F_SUM
LI
I
fj.")
..'.
New motorable
_.. el
32/ .." l uong La ,.. _____-taovern
:
0? recaptum
'47 r
/
/ i road Muong ? j ? . i
,...1
1 COS A
.411 ( r
...??? ....? \'' i'l 'Survey traces i ()?)'
...,..-????1. I ".-- observed
, ic,.t?p`uong J
M
Houei , / , ,?-/ Beng
' ...,.. /Muong HoLin / .
..-41
? ,-,-----
Dien
THAILAND
Paktengc.,..."
963401,0,0 ?
/
SlatuteTMiles
Communist-controlled area
/
4o2
Contested territory
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Recent aerial photography confirms that the Chi-
nese have resumed road construction in the northwest.
The most significant new activity is concentrated'
southwest of the Communist headquarters at Muong
Five miles of newly motorable road can now be seen,
along with the construction of automatic weapons and
air defense positions. In addition, survey traces
have been observed roughly two-thirds of the way from
Muong Sai to Pak Beng.
Northeast of Muong Sai, construction has re-
sumed on a major bridge near Muong La, suggesting
that the Chinese intend to link up their new road
with Route 19 at Muong Khoua. The completion of this
portion of the road system will strengthen Communist
capabilities for supporting Pathet Lao and North Viet-
namese forces currently operating in the northwest.
The new road work is the clearest sign to
date of long-range Communist interest in
challenging areas of government control in
the northwest. Communist interest in this
area was demonstrated last April when Pathet
Lao forces overran a number of government
positions near Pak Beng, the only govern-
ment outpost of any consequence between
the Mekong River and Muong Sai.
Ultimate extension of this road to Pak Beng,
which seems a logical.development, would
also facilitate whatever plans the Chinese
may have for support of insurgents in north-
ern Thailand. In any event, the recent prog-
ress of this road is certain to cause un-
easiness in Bangkok. ---41..AV,44/17.44A,
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
Lebanon: Yesterday's most serious incidents
occurred in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon,
where demonstrators defied the curfew and clashed
with police. Earlier in the day, Syrians--possibly
military personnel--attacked a border post north of
Tripoli but were driven back by Lebanese forces.
In Beirut, Michel Khoury, a confidant of President
Hilue has told US Embassy officials that Hilu is
attempting to form a small cabinet that he hopes
will be representative of the principal political
elements in the country. Khoury also indicated that
the government is in contact with fedayeen leaders
in both Lebanon and Jordan.
USSR:
Southern Yemen: US Embassy personnel, preparing
to leave Aden following yesterday's abrupt severance
of relations, are encountering serious obstacles.
Armed guards are severely restricting their movement,
other foreign diplomats have been prevented from
lending assistance in packing personal belongings,
and there is an indication that the radical regime
may insist on use of a local airline for the depar-
ture flight, rather than a chartered Ethiopian air-
craft as planned.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9
,
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007600220001-9