THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 13 MARCH 1970

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977346
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 13, 1970

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The President's Daily Brief
13 March 1970
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THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
13 March 1970
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
A captured document offers some insight into the
Communist program in the Mekong Delta. (Page 1)
In Laos, yang Pao is still holding on, but Souvanna
is ready to talk peace. (Page 2)
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Cambodia. (Page 4)50X1
The Brazilian Government will ransom the Japanese
consul
Peking
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SOUTH VIETNAM
A recently captured document, sent in February
by the top Communist headquarters in South Vietnam
(COSVN) to the two major Viet Cong regional commands
in the Mekong Delta,gives some insight into the long-
range Communist program there. The document frankly
acknowledges that the many problems encountered by,
the Viet Cong in IV Corps since the latter part of
1968 persuaded the Communist leadership to send reg-
ular North Vietnamese troops into the delta last
year. These troops had orders to attack the govern-
ment pacification program and also to help rebuild
local Viet Cong units. In addition, the reinforce-
ments Were to prepare to take control of the civil-
ian population in the delta in the event a political
solution is found to the war.
The document urges local commanders to avoid
large operations that might result in heavy losses.
It does not, however, rule out sharp assaults against
selected rural outposts and towns and occasional
stiff, opposition to South Vietnamese sweep operations,
such as, have occurred in the delta recently.
One of the directive's main purposes ap-
parently is. to remind the Viet Cong that
gorth Vietnamese. reinforcements are not
cannon fodder to be expended quickly in
a few impressive battles. The Communists
apparently hope to rebuild their strength
in the delta countryside gradually by
scoring a series of successes in relatively
small actions over a period of perhaps many
months, keeping open a wide range of mili-
tary and political options.
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Communists Threatening Key Government Positions
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LAOS
The most immediate threat from Communist forces
appears to be directed at Ban Na, an important link
in General yang Pao's defense line. Early on 12 March,
enemy forces overran a government defensive position
less than a mile from the main outpost. yang Pao's
reaction was to airlift three more battalions into
Ban Na. The government force there, thus augmented,
is a little more than 700 troops.
We cannot be certain how many Communists have
moved into the Ban Na area, but intercepted communica-
tions indicate that at least two battalions of the
formidable North Vietnamese 316th Division are in-
volved.
An intercepted enemy message indicated that
an ammunition shipment probably destined
for North Vietnamese forces in this area
exploded recently while moving across the
Plaine des Jarres. This may explain in
part why the enemy has not yet launched an
attack against the main outpost at Ban Na.
Another message was a request for 122-mm,
ammunition fuses, suggesting that the North
Vietnamese may have moved some of their
long-range artillery into position to sup-
port the Ban Na operation.
Another key outpost is threatened. Intercepted
communications reveal that at least two companies of
the 316th Division are moving into position to attack
Tha Tam Bleung, about eight miles south of Ban Na.
On 12 March a North Vietnamese reconnaissance element
was in the area looking for locations to emplace
rockets, presumably to support a coming attack.
Should the enemy break through at Ban Na
and Tha Tam Bleung, the main blocking posi-
tions between the Plaine and Long Tieng,
Vang Pao's headquarters would be under a
significantly increased threat. Communists
could move artillery and rockets within
range of the Meo community between Sam
Thong and Long Tieng. Such a development
probably would prompt Meo leaders to begin
thinking seriously about evacuating the
civilians from the area--a move that would
be a blow to the morale of yang Pao's al-
ready tired Meo army.
(continued)
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In a press interview yesterday, Prime Minister
Souvanna stated that his government is prepared to
agree to a cease-fire, but he said that there could
be no bombing halt before North Vietnam withdraws
its troops. Souvanna's position appears to have
strong support within the government.
In Moscow, meanwhile, the Soviets are working
on a reply to President Nixon's proposal for con-
sultations under the terms of the Geneva Accords.
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CAMBODIA
Phnom Penh is maintaining its tough attitude
toward the Vietnamese Communists. Deputy Prime Min-
ister Matak told a press conference yesterday that
the government had expressed regret over the violent
demonstrations against their embassies, but also had
insisted that the Communists honor earlier assurances
that they would withdraw their troops from Cambodia.
Matak also said that until their troops departed his
government was suspending its agreement to sell rice
to the Viet Cong.
The first Vietnamese Communist reaction to the
attacks was contained in an official Hanoi news agency
statement of 12 March. In a relatively restrained
protest, Hanoi attributed the attacks to "saboteurs"
and sought assurances against any repetition of the
violence.
The Communists probably are content for now
with Sihanouk's initial sharp denunciation
of the attacks and are hoping for opportun-
ities to discuss developments with him di-
rectly in Moscow or Peking.
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EAST GERMANY - WEST GERMANY
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BRAZIL
Late press reports state the government will
ransom the Japanese consul general, Nabuo Okuchi,
by releasing five "political prisoners" and by not
taking reprisals against terrorists who remain in
Brazilian jails.
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COMMUNIST CHINA
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NOTES
USSR:
Israel-Lebanon: U Thant's suggestion last week
that UN: observers be stationed along the border be-
tween Lebanon and Israel found no favor with either
nation. President Hilu remains negative, but could
go along if Israel would accept observers on its ter-
ritory and if Israel would recognize the border as
the line established by the armistice of 1949 rather
than as a mere cease-fire frontier. Israeli leaders
cannot swallow either condition.
Turkey: Prime Minister Demirel's attempt for a
vote of confidence on Saturday could be a real cliff-
hanger, but the chances appear slightly better than
even that he will make it. Should he fail to get the
226 votes required for a bare majority, he will be
faced with three options. He can go with a minority,
he can form a coalition, or he can call for new elec-
tions. Although opposition parties do not favor them,-
elections would provide Demirel_ the only sure way to
force dissidents in his Justice Party out of the Na-
tional Assembly.
(continued)
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Turkey: a radi-
cal youth group in Ankara plans to march on a US in-
stallation following a major rally scheduled for Sat-
urday afternoon. An attack on the USIS building on
6 March followed a similar rally. The forthcoming
demonstration could also degenerate into harassment
of individual Americans or their property.
Trinidad: Yesterday's press reports about Black
Power demonstrators confronting the East Indian sugar
cane workers seem now to have been somewhat exagger-
ated
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the demonstration formed up with a minimum of 50X1
fuss early in the morning and was orderly and quiet.
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Top Secret
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