THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 16 MARCH 1970

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977350
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 16, 1970

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The President's Daily Brief
16 March 1970
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THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
16 March 1970
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In Laos
zz7(Page 1)
Talks between the Cambodians and the Vietnamese Com-
munists are to get under way in Phnom Penh today,
but we doubt much will come of them, at least until
Sihanouk returns. (Page 3)
The West Germans are considering proposing that NATO
sponsor a conference on European security to nego-
tiate a mutual balanced force reduction in Europe.
(Page 4)
Brazilian terrorists released the Japanese consul
general yesterday, some ten hours after five political
detainees were flown to Mexico City. (Page 5)
A preliminary review of the latest satellite photog-
raphy shows one new group of ten SS-11 silos under
construction in the USSR. (Page 6)
On Cyprus, former interior minister Georkatzis was
murdered yesterday. (Page 6)
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LAOS
Prime Minister Souvanna
eased his public position on a cease-fire agreement.
He told reporters Friday that he would be willing to
accept a cease-fire before a North Vietnamese troop
withdrawal, provided the enemy stopped all military
offensive activity and allowed the International Con-
trol Commission to send observers into Communist-
controlled territory.
(continued)
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? In the midst of all this, the Lao military seem
to be moving quietly ahead with plans to bomb the
Chinese road project southwest of Muong Sai in north-
west Laos. According to a US Air Force representa-
tive in Luang Prabang, the local Lao commander re-
ceived orders "frot Vientiane" on 14 March to begin
"Unrestricted" bombing of the road and the Nam Beng
Valley south to Pak Beng. The vagueness of the au-
thority for the directive suggests that the Lao mili-
tary may not have the concurrence of Souvanna for
such action and are attempting to force his hand.
There is no evidence at this time to indicate the
Lao have in fact begun air operations against the
road.
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CAMBODIA
Nothing much is likely to come of talks begin-
ning today in Phnom Penh between the Cambodian Gov-
ernment and the Vietnamese Communists, at least un-
til Prince Sihanouk returns. The Communists will be
represented by the North Vietnamese charge pending
the arrival of an official representative from Hanoi.
It is not clear whether he will be the North Vietnam-
ese ambassador to Cambodia or a special emissary.
The Communists no doubt view the talks as
a useful first step in helping to damp ?
down the situation. Their proposal for
talks was contained in an official North
Vietnamese protest delivered Saturday that
was notable for its conciliatory tone.
The press this morning reports some fighting be-
tween Cambodian and Vietnamese Communist forces, but
so far there is no official confirmation.
According to-late press reports, some30,000
people staged another anti-Vietnamese demonstration
today in front of the National Assembly building in
Phnom Penh.
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WEST GERMANY
Bonn is thinking about proposing a conference
on European security--a project Chancellor Brandt
may want to discuss during his visit in April. The
conference, to be organized under NATO auspices and
to be held about a year from now, would have as a
goal a mutual balanced force reduction in Europe.
At this time, only the West Germans know
if they really believe the USSR would be
interested in such a conference. The
West German proposal would be responsive,
however, to a desire found in some West
European states for a NATO initiative.
For one thing, the proposal would deny
Moscow some of the propaganda advantages
it holds on the issue of European secu-
rity.
The West Germans may believe a NATO pro-
posal would serve to inhibit a US decision
to reduce forces in Europe. Furthermore,
it might remove some of the contentious-
ness surrounding the issue in the West
German - Soviet talks by putting the whole
thing into a multilateral context.
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BRAZIL
The terrorists released Consul General Okuchi
yesterday after the government had flown the five
prisoners into exile. Four of the five prisoners
told reporters in Mexico City that they had been
tortured by security agents and prison guards in
Brazil. These accusations, particularly if widely
publicized, will increase the dissatisfaction among
many officers of the Brazilian Army.
One prisoner said in Mexico City that the
kidnaping of a foreign diplomat is a legit-
imate way of rescuing comrades who face
long prison terms. Such assertions
strengthen the fears of security officials
that success will lead to more such inci-
dents. That thought has also impelled the
dean of the Sao Paulo consular corps, Leb-
anese Consul General Joseph Naffah, to
convene a meeting of the consular corps
to discuss security and to authorize him
to request additional protection by local
security contingents.
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NOTES
USSR: A preliminary review of the latest sat-
ellite photography shows one new group of ten SS-11
silos under construction at the Teykovo ICBM complex.
Three of the USSR's six SS-9 complexes and its one
SS-13 complex were also seen, but no new groups of
silos were identified. About 750 55-11s are now con-
sidered to be operational. When construction is com-
plete on all identified ICBM groups in late 1971,
the Soviets will have 1,396 ICBM launchers, includ-
ing 840 SS-11s. This total excludes the eight groups
of 55-11s at MRBM-IRBM complexes that are considered
part of the Soviet peripheral strike force.
Philippines:
Cyprus: The assassination yesterday of former
interior minister Georkatzis will further polarize
the Greek Cypriot community into pro- and anti-
Makarios factions. GeorkatZis had been linked Vgith
the attempted assassination of President Makarios,
but maintained his innocence. Although not arrested,
he was fined for possession of weapons and was pre-
vented from leaving the country last Thursday.
Georkatzis' well-armed and_devoted followers will
probably blame Makarios for the murder and may seek
revenge.
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