THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 19 JANUARY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993089
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: January 19, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300160001-5
The President's Daily Brief
19 January 1972
47
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THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF.
19 January 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In Laos, irregulars have recaptured another position
on the ridge overlooking the Long Tieng valley, but
additional North Vietnamese units are now south of
the valley. (Page 1)
Cambodia
(Page
Thailand
Z)
(eage 6)
Both the UK and Malta appear to expect,today's
talks to break the deadlock. (Page 4)
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LONG TIENG AREA
F._?.._,r.?ioernent-held location
?OCocnmunistheld location
4 Highpoint
0 5]
Miles
an Na
MAT
LONG
poou
cfam Thong
euong Pot J af?ES (
Cho Tam Bleung
y units moving southw
14(c.
94)
ong Tieng
Second position
1 \ _
ha Khao .
? Phone
Ban
52
Trail
Muong
Cho--
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LAOS
A second position was recaptured from the Com-
munists yesterday in the central portion of Skyline
Ridge. This followed the rotation of fresh irreg-
ular units into front-line positions on the ridge
and the resumption of the government's slow push
eastward. The North Vietnamese, meanwhile have
kept up sporadic harassment of,the Long Tieng val-
ley with their 130-mm. field guns, and new informa-
tion indicates that they may have moved up to three
more battalions south of Long Tieng where two are
already operating.
From such positions, enemy units could
mount a flanking attack on the Long Tieng
valley, threaten a fire support base being
established some five miles south of Long
Tieng, or try to block any irregular with-
drawal from the valley. Enemy anti-air-
craft positions in this area could also
hinder air resupply and medical evacuation
operations.
A
North Vietnamese
says
that Long Tieng be taken "at all
costs" and no later than early February. Afterward,
the troops are to move farther on and remain in the
area throughout the dry season before pulling back
to the North Vietnamese border..
at least some of the North Vietnamese
units around Long Tieng are experiencing supply
difficulties, particularly of small arms ammunition'
and food.
Such shortages and transportation prob-
lems could well account for the failure
of the North Vietnamese so far to launch
coordinated ground attacks against irreg-
ular units defending the Long Tieng area.
These difficulties are probably the re-
sult of heavy artillery and air strikes
against Communist lines of communication.
1
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CAMBODIA
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THAILAND
3
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MALTA-UK
The increased NATO package of more than $36
million plus bilateral aid, agreed to by the North
Atlantic Council yesterday, may break the deadlock
when the UK resumes negotiations with Malta today.
Prime Minister Mintoff has previously indicated that
he will consider an offer of this magnitude
The British are beginning to moderate their
own hard line regarding a total withdrawal now that
Mintoff shows some signs of coming to terms. The
UK high commissioner in Valletta stated on Monday
that British force strength would return to pre-
departure levels if an accord is reached. British
troops are still packing up for withdrawal
4
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25 50 Miles
Increased Truck Traffic
in the Laotian Panhandle
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NOTES
Indochina:
An in-
tercept of 9 January indicates that some unusual
daylight truck movements are scheduled, at least on
routes to the northwest of Tchepone.
South Vietnam:
(continued)
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Western Europe'- Bangladesh: They European Com-
munity countries and Britain have agreed to recognize
Bangladesh, possibly next week. These? countries hope
that presenting Pakistani President Bhutto with a
united front will dissuade him from breaking diplo-
matic relations. Although Bhutto broke ties with
three small Communist countries when they recognized
Bangladesh, he merely recalled his ambassadors when
Burma and Nepal, countries of greater importance to
Islamabad, took this step.
USSR:
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Top Secr:et
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