THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 6 FEBRUARY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993123
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: February 6, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400060001-5
The President's Daily Brief
707 EB-1972
'2 7
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400060001-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400060001-5
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? PDB
6 Feb 72
,
LAOS
Government units attempting to maintain a foothold
on the western approaches to the Bolovens Plateau are still. '
being pushed back by the Communists. On 4 February, two
Lao Army battalions abandoned their forward positions on.
Route 23, about two miles west of Ban Gnik. The battalion'
commanders reported receiving heavy weapons fire and being.,
surrounded by an unidentified enemy force before leaving
their posts.
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The loss of these positions narrows the distance'
between
between Communist-held*.territory and the key
river town of Pakse to 15 miles. It remains
unZikeZy, however, that the enemy has serious
designs on Pakse. The Communists appear to be:
widening their margin of prOtection for. the
Bolovens and can be expected to continue to dosa.
Their immediate objective may be the road junc-,
tion of Routes 23 and 231, about 3-4 miles further
to the west.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400060001-5'
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400060001-5
PDB
6 Feb 72
?
CYPRUS
A shipment of small arms and ammunition arrived from
Czechoslovakia in late January.
President Makarios plans to use most of the'?
personally
as a
weapons to form a 2,000-man paramilitary force
loyal to him in order to counter what he views
threat from General Grivas' supporters.
Press accounts of the shipment have stirred sharp
,
responses from Athens and Ankara. The Greek Government
quickly protested to Makarios, and yesterday Turkey issued
a public statement promising to protect the rights of the
Turkish Cypriots. Turkish Foreign Minister Bayulken,told.
Ambassador Handley that because the new Czech shipment
might eventually be used against Turkish Cypriots, Ankara
might consider sending arms to them.
Adverse reaction to the arms shipment could
disrupt recent progress toward resuming the inter-
communal talks. Even while expressing his dismay
at that development, however, Eayulken told
Ambassador Handley that he hoped the talks could,
begin by the end of February.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400060001-5
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Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400060001-5