THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 20 APRIL 1971

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005992596
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 20, 1971

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A009400180001-4
The President's Daily Brief
20 April 1971
46
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
20 April 1971
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Lon Nol resigns; Matak has inside track as successor
to head Cambodian Government. (Page 1)
Soviet
(Page 6)
Ky's strong blast indicates he is more likely to run
for president than be Thieu's running mate again.
(Page 3)
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CAMBODIA
Lon Nol submitted the resignation of his cabi-
net today. Sink Matak has stated that the present
ministers will continue in office for the time be-
ing. He also said that a short "crisis" is likely
but appeared confident that no serious problems
would arise during the Itimelit takes to install a
successor government. Matak added that he would
like to create some sort of figurehead position for
Lon Nol.
Matak appears to have the inside track to
be named the successor but there are some
uncertainties ahead. The responsibility
for designating a new prime minister falls
to Chief of State Cheng Heng in consulta-
tion with the presidents of the National
Assembly and the Senate. The premier-des-
ignate must then form a new cabinet, sub-
ject to the assembly's approval. C
Heng is now leanins toward Matak
Matak's principal liability is his reputa-
tion for venality and his close associa-
tion with figures from the Sihanouk era.
Matak presumably will have the support of
senior military officers, with 'whom he
established a good working relationship
during Lon:Nol's absence.
(continued)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Lon Nol's decision to quit has caused consider-
able consternation, however, among younger military
officerE
Although they aregputting out
the line that Matak will be -acceptable to them, they
may hope that a man more to their liking?such as
former prime minister Son Is140C Thanh-may emerge the ,
winner if there is a struggle for power,
2
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY.
NOTES
USSR:
South Vietnam: Vice President Ky's strong
blast at President Thieu yesterday, in which he
called Thieu disloyal, scored government corruption,
and criticized the conduct of the war, appears to be
the opening salvo of Ky's campaign for the presidency.
Although he has not formally committed himself, Ky's
statements would indicate that he has given up any
idea of serving as Thieu's running mate again. In-
deed, his emphasis on the necessity fora political
solution to the war seems to put him closer to Big
Minh's position and raises the possibility of even-
tual collaboration: between them.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Top Secret
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