THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 15 MAY 1970

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977456
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 15, 1970

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
The President's Daily Brief
15 May 1970
48
T o s e 50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
15 May 1970
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
The Libyan Government and US oil companies appear to
be on a collision course in negotiations over oil
prices. (Page 1)
In London, two polls show a dramatic swing to Labor.
This may be all that is needed to persuade Prime
Minister Wilson to call national elections for next
month. (Page 2)
President Balaguer meanwhile still looks like the
winner in tomorrow's election in the Dominican Re-
public, although the opposition may be gaining.
(Page 3)
The Communists have brought the capital of the Cam-
bodian border province of Stung Treng under heavy
attack. (Page 5)
President Hilus problem of keeping the fedayeen in
southern Lebanon under control has been compounded
by the entry of a mixed force of Syrian Army regu-
lars and commandos. (Page 5)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
? Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LIBYA
The government and the US oil companies appear
to be on a collision course on Libyan oil prices.
The Libyans are demanding a 79-cent increase in the
posted price (now $2.23) per barrel of crude oil.
Negotiations began early this month with two of
the leading producers, Esso and Occidental, but by
10 May the government broke off talks with Occiden-
tal, threatening to take unspecified unilateral ac-
tion. Negotiations with Esso are continuing, al-
though Esso has not yet made any concession to the
government's demands. In the meantime, the govern-
ment has taken a threatening line on other petroleum
matters; six companies have been warned they must
commence work within 30 days on inactive concessions.
Neither our embassy in Tripoli nor the
companies are taking the tough Libyan ne-
gotiating position lightly. Although
there may be a bargaining element in the
Libyans' stiff initial terms, the Ameri-
cans fear the Libyans might actually im-
pose some form of production control or
even resort to nationalization. They
fear the government might take unilateral
action against one company--such as Occi-
dental, with which Libya has a history of
disputes--before settling down to serious
negotiations.
Although the companies previously have
argued successfully against increased
price demands, they are now indicating
that some of them might be able
to absorb up to a 20-cent increase. But
on present form, this hardly seems enough
to satisfy Libya's new rulers. Moreover,
previous resistance by the companies may
have damaged their credibility to the
point where the inexperienced Libyans
will be tempted to press for unattainable
price increases in order to score a polit-
ical victory. In that event, both sides
may find it very difficult to extricate
themselves from their dilemma without pre-
cipitate and irreversible actions.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
UNITED KINGDOM
Prime Minister Wilson seems almost certain to
call national elections for next month. A Gallup
poll published Wednesday showed Labor leading the
Conservatives by 7.5 percent. This is a spectacular
swing from the 4.5 percent lead the Tories enjoyed
just three weeks ago. It puts Labor's popularity at
about the same level as it was at the time of the
1966 elections. In addition to the Gallup findings,
the well-regarded National Opinion Poll has just
given Labor a 3.2 percent edge. Defense Minister
Healey recently told our embassy that if both polls
showed Labor with a lead of 3 percent or more, the
pressure on Wilson for June elections would be "al-
most irresistible."
The Tories had been braced for a swing to-
ward Labor in this week's polls, but not
one of these proportions. It has, no
doubt, had a devastating effect on their
morale. The rapidity of Labor's recovery
in recent weeks astonished even its top
leaders, with the possible exception of
Wilson himself.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
President Balaguer remains the front runner in
the election tomorrow, although the opposition is
picking up strength. Increased activity by the four
opposition candidates, especially Vice-President
Lora and former general Wessin y Wessin, contrasts
with their earlier desultory efforts and could re-
sult in last-minute shifts by voters.
Violence continues to mar the closing days of
the campaign. Three more deaths were reported on
Wednesday in the capital, and student disorders
and shooting incidents are a daily occurrence in
the major cities. The Communists will continue
their terrorist activities on election day, but
heavy patrols will guard polling places and should
be able to prevent major disorders.
Balaguer needs only a plurality to win,
and the probable split of the opposition
vote between Lora and Wessin should en-
sure his re-election.1
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
50X1 1
. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
COLOMBIA
Yesterday the Colombian Government rescinded
the. curfew imposed almost a month ago in the after-
math of the elections. The government's candidate,
Misael Pastrana, is assured of victory by a slim ,
margin in the official counting--carefully scrutin-
ized by representatives of all parties, factions,
and candidates. Former dictator Rojas Pinilla and
his disgruntled followers were unable to overturn
the results with their early charges of fraud, and
the riots and turmoil they unleashed were quickly
and firmly put down. Some of Rojas Pinilla's lieu-
tenants are in prison, and the government has sta-
tioned guards around his home in Bogota. Although
the security forces deny that he is under house ar-
rest, he has remained indoors.
Pastrana will be declared "President-elect"
on or about the first of June, and his in-
auguration will be on Independence Day--7
August. His first problem probably will
be the organization of congress. He lacks
three votes for control of the 118-member
senate and 15 votes for control of the
210-member house.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300130001-1
Cambodia: Current Situation
THAILAND
T E N G R
.Lomphat
Stung T ng
Shelled by
ommunists
. (t Route zl?
KOipIPONG.,
nom
VtREU -enh
PRE VENG
S O,UT