THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 22 DECEMBER 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977207
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: December 22, 1969

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The President's Daily Brief
22 December 1969
46
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
22 December 1969
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In South Vietnam, an apparent government attempt to
force the ouster of three deputies from the Lower
House through demonstrations may well backfire.
(Page 1)
There has been little change in the military situa-
tion in Laos, but casualties continue to mount on
both sides. (Page 2)
Pravda's editorial on the 90th anniversary of Stalin's
birth contains criticism of the dead dictator that
could also be taken to reflect on some of Moscow's
current leaders. (Page 3)
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SOUTH VIETNAM
A number of deputies claim to see the hand of
the government in two demonstrations over the week-
end calling for the expulsion from the-Lower House
of three members accused of pro-Communist activi-
ties. In the first and more serious incident,
about 1,000 demonstrators marched on the Lower House
Saturday. Some 100 of them broke into the chamber
while an interpellation of the finance minister was
in progress. They interrupted the session with anti-
Communist and antineutralist harangues, and caused
some property damage.
Yesterday, some 3,000 northern Catholic refu-
gees from nearby villages marched through Bien Hoa
city just north of Saigon demanding the removal of
the three deputies.
There is indeed evidence that the deputies'
charges may be well founded.
Thi,eu has en-
couraged certa-in cl-vz,t servants, politi-
cians, and military officers to promote
such activities. Press reports indicate
some of the participants in the march on
the Lower House were paid and that the few
police on hand made only half-hearted at-
tempts to interfere.
Whatever the case, the incidents are al-
most certain to rekindle Lower House re-
sentment toward the executive and compli-
cate Thieu's efforts to smooth working
relations between the two branches of
government.
1
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CHINIA
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Wi MA RCA TION
SOU
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Laos: Current Situation
THAILAND
MILES
CAMBODIA
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
North Vietnamese commandos struck Xieng Khouang
airfield, an important government support base on
the Plaine des Jarres, on 18 December. Defenders
held off the attackers, but paid a high price--43
killed.
In eastern Xieng Khouang Province, Communist
troops have pushed government guerrillas out of a
number of positions astride an important network of
supply trails. They have had less success trying
to clear government troops from the Route 7 area
northeast of the Plaine, losing more than 40 troops
on 19 December. .
Most of this activity stems from Commu-
nist efforts to secure their supply lines,
which have been under steady aerial and
ground harassment since early September.
The importance they attach to securing
the Route 7 area can be judged from the
fact that more than 500 North Vietnamese
troops have been killed in the past two
months trying to overrun Phou Nok Kok, a
highpoint overlooking Route 7.
? In the south, government guerrillas have re-
occupied several key positions near Route 111 in
recent days.
These limited gains should ease the pres-
sure farther west where less aggressive
government units have been attempting to
thwart a Communist threat to Ban TaZeo
and Keng Kok.
2
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USSR
Pravda's editorial on the 90th anniversary of
Stalin's birth is the first formal commemoration of
the dead dictator's birthday since 1955. It notes
that it waswhile Stalin was the Communist Party's
General Secretary that the USSR's socioeconomic
transformation took place and victory over Germany
was achieved. It also praises Stalin for his part
in the struggle against opposition elements within
the party.
But the commentary then charges Stalin with
theoretical and political errors "which became
chronic in the last period of his life." The edi-
torial goes on to say that errors connected with
the cult of personality were harmful, quickly add-
ing that the party has already corrected these mis-
takes.-
Pravda's commentary is one of the most
objective accounts of Stalin's role to
appear in the Soviet press in several
years. Criticism of Stalin's performance
during his later years, by implication at
least, affects many of the USSR's present
rulers. They, as well as Stalin, must
take some responsibility for decisions
reached at that time which have had a
great bearing on major unsolved problems
now troubling the Soviet leadership.
It is too early to say just what the new
Zine suggested by the editorial portends
and for whom, but it will certainly be a
factor in the maneuvering prior to the
party congress now scheduled to be held
sometime next year.
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NOTES
Libya: The Libyans want the US to begin the
evacuation of Wheelus Field by 1 June 1970, and
conclude the transfer within the month. Many de-
tails of the phaseout remain unsettled, but the ne-
gotiators expect to meet again on Tuesday for final
talks leading to signature of an agreement before
Christmas. Libyan leader Qaddafi's presence at the
Arab summit meeting in Rabat, however, and the an-
nounced visit of both Nasir and Numayari of Sudan
to Libya at the conclusion of the summit, may cause
the Libyans to delay until these leaders are able
to attend the signing ceremonies.
South China Sea:
4
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Top Secret
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