THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 17 JANUARY 1970

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977250
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: January 17, 1970

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007900140001-5
The President's Daily Brief
17 January 1970
50
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007900140001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007900140001-5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
17 January 1970
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
There are more signs pointing to a major North Viet--
namese offensive in northern Laos in the near future.
(Page 1)
Some opponents of the Thieu government are again 50X1
trying to organize an antiregime coalition. (Page 2)
Ethiopia
(Page 3)
Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana may grow again
as Venezuela builds up its forces at the border.
(Page 4)
Peking is moving to take advantage of liberalized
US trade controls. (Page 4)
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007900140001-5
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Laos: North Vietnamese on Verge of Major Offensive
CHINA
BURMA
THAILAND
Communist
*, uang
Fqabang Phou
Pheung
S-A
Plaine-ties
Jari.estlp
X ieng--'/
Khouangvill,e
Eneniy
pre.ar.q."
o attack
NORTH
VIETNAM
NVA preparing to move
heavy trucks and tanks
?Muong into Laos
Sen
Communist-controlled territory
Contested territory
- Limit of area claimed under
Communist and Neutralist
control, June 1962
100
MILES
97255 1-70 CIA
THAILAND
. .
Communist
rocket team
in area
DEMARCATION
LINE
SOUTH
VIETNAM 1
NVA preparing
for new attacks
CAMBODIA
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007900140001-5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
There are more signs pointing to a major North
Vietnamese offensive in northern Laos in the near
future. Analysis of communications intelligence in-
dicates that four major North Vietnamese tactical
headquarters merged recently to form a more compre-
hensive command known as Military Region Xieng
Khouang. The North Vietnamese have also moved a
forward logistic headquarters into Laos and are pre-
paring to send in additional heavy trucks and tanks.
The Communists probably decided that a
consolidated command was necessary to co-
ordinate the movement of the large number
of North Vietnamese--upward of 17,000 com-
bat and support troops,--now operating in
the northeast. The logistic Move suggests
that the North Vietnamese, confident that
they have adequate stockpiles in Laos, are
now concerned with moving these supplies
to front Zine troops.
The enemy's prime objective appears to be the attri-
tion of government troops rather than the seizure
of new. territory. We also expect further rocketing
of government installations in this area.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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SOUTH VIETNAM
Senator Tran Van Don, one of the government's
most prominent and persistent critics, has announced
the creation of a voting bloc in the National As-
sembly that he probably hopes will serve as the
basis for a large political movement committed to
support his own political ambitions. Don must run
for re-election to the Upper House this fall, and
he is probably looking toward the presidential elec-
tions next year.
More effective political opposition to
President Thieu has been prevented so far
by the chronic failure of South Vietnam's
numerous rival groups to subordinate paro-
chial interests and rally around a leader
acceptable to all. Don's initiative will
only be successful to the degree that he
can persuade the other opposition leaders
that they can achieve power through cooper-
ation, and that he has the best qualifica-
tions for providing the necessary leader-
ship.
These traditional political jealousies will
be most difficult to overcome. Don's ef-
forts also seem timed to give the appear-
ance that he is the acknowledged leader of
South Vietnam's loyal opposition prior to
his scheduled visit to the US next month.
Don is convinced that he can play this role;
we think his chances are poor at best.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
ETHIOPIA
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Venezuela Builds Up Military Forces on Guyanese Border
TRINIa9i
AND
GO
Atlantic
Ocean
Maturin
Pacific
Ocean
COLOMBIA
FRENCH
UIANA
El Tigre
BRAZIL
Ciudad Bo
Cerro Boliva
La Paragua.,
I Dora
od. ?
La
Venezuelan Troop Buildup , Escalera
0
' ?
'-Y4f("A'dr-f
AREA
("FINSET
nkoko Island
S inglands
? ..../by .Ituni
4 )??'
Venezuela
Orinduik
h?;.;,g
GUYAN
_
BRAZIL
Lethe
BRAZIL
97253 1-70 CIA
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
Venezuela-Guyana: Tensions between the two
countries may again increase as Venezuela builds up
its forces at the border.
the troop
buildup could give rise to border incidents, a de-
velopment to which the more jingoistic Venezuelans
might not be averse.
? Communist China- US: Peking is moving to take
advantage of liberalized US trade controls. )
/ Chinese at-
tempts to increase sales to American tourists in
Hong Kong have met with some success. Peking also
has expanded its English language advertising aimed
at US tourists in Japan.
Libya: The military Revolutionary Command Coun-
cil is tightening its control of the government.
Junta leader Qaddafi yesterday was named prime min-
ister?.replacing a civilian. Qaddafi also assumed
the defense portfolio and named four other council
members to key cabinet posts, including the Minis-
try of Interior. The remainder of the posts are
held by civilians, some of whom were members of the
previous government. By assuming control of govern-
ment operations as well as policy, Qaddafi and his
associates have removed what opposition there was
to a pro-Egyptian policy.
4
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