THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 9 FEBRUARY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993129
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: February 9, 1972

Declassified in Part :Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400090001-2
The President's Daily Brief
9 February 1972
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010400090001-2
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
9 February 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
There are many indicators of impending Communist
attacks in South Vietnam. (Page 1)
The military situation in Laos is reported on
Page 2.
North Vietnam
(Page
Indonesia
3)
The Indians now appear to want negotiations with
? Pakistan and may be ready to turn some of their
earlier preconditions for talks into ultimate
goals. ? (Page 4)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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SOUTH VIETNAM
There continue to be indicators of impending
Communist attacks in many sectors of the country.
A forward element of the Communist 320th Division
now is only 14 miles from Kontum city in the cen-
tral highlands, while farther north in Military Re-
gion 1, over 70 unidentified radio terminals associ-
ated with enemy units have been located in Quang
Nam Province in the past several weeks.
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1
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.0 Government-held location
? Communist-held location
25
MILES
50
Dong Hone
Overrun by
NVA
Hue
?SOUT
r vartik,
THAILAND
aksong
Nevem
Plateau
ttopeu
552519 2-72 CIA
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LAOS
yang Pao's new operation to harass Communist
lines of communication south of the Plaine des
Jarres has so far met little resistance, but there
are indications that ?the North Vietnamese are pre-
paring to counter his move. Yesterday, irregular
positions northwest of Pha Dong--the jumping-off
point for yang Pao's 5,000-man task force--received
mortar fire. Pha Dong itself took about 50 rounds
of heavy weapons fire, including some 130-mm., but
sustained little damage. Radio direction-finding
now shows that ?at least two battalions and the com-
mand post of the North Vietnamese 148th Regiment?
are moving into position northeast of Pha Dong, and
irregular patrols are beginning to report signs of
enemy troop concentrations in this area.
The 148th was involved in last month's
intense fighting along Skyline Ridge. It
took heavy casualties, but may have re-
ceived replacements. Its current moves
suggest an intention to block the irregu-
lar push .northeast toward Route 4.
To the west of Long Tieng, government forces
are regrouping between'Muong Kassy and Vang'Vieng
in an attempt to halt any further southward ad-
vances by Communist forces on Route 13. The gov-
ernment is bringing in a battalion from the Luang
Prabang area to strengthen its defenses, and may
also transfer a battalion from Savannakhet.
Shifting units from southern Laos may be
difficult, however, in view of renewed
enemy attacks along Route 9 in the pan-
handle. On Monday, the North Vietnamese
took the town of Dong Hene, a place they
captured during last year's dry season
campaign.
2
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VIETNAM-INDONESIA
3
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SOUTH ASIA
Prime Minister Gandhi's agreement with Sheik Mujibur
Rahman to bring home Indian troops now in Bangla-
desh somewhat improves the chances for Pakistan to
enter bilateral discussions with Bangladesh and
with India. Officials in New Delhi also seem to
be making a determined effort to show their readi-
ness for talks. Last week Foreign Secretary Kaul
twice told US Embassy officials that India is will-
ing to talk with Pakistan without conditions on all
outstanding differences at any time, level, or
place.
There remain, nevertheless, fundamental problems to
overcome before any meaningful settlement can be
reached. Although the Indians now deny the exist-
ence of preconditions, their ultimate objectives--
recognition of their claim to Indian-occupied Kash-
mir, a border agreement, and an end to Pakistan's
policy of "confrontation"--almost certainly remain
unchanged. Although there is growing pressure
within Pakistan for the return of the 90,000 pris-
oners of war, Bhutto could face serious political
consequences at home if he is too accommodating
toward the Indians, particularly regarding Kashmir.
Bhutto will also be reluctant to deal directly with
Dacca and New Delhi at the same time over the re-
turn o risoners a In
?
4
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NOTES
Israel: The army is developing a 280-mm.
rocket that could alter Egypt's present two-to-one
edge over Israel in artillery.
/ At the farthest ?ranges in the
tests, the rocket was more accurate than US-supplied
175-mm. artillery.
rocket salvos could be effective against SAM sites
near the Suez Canal and against troop concentrations.
Ecuador:
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Top Secret
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