THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 9 MAY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993289
• 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 9, 1972

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The President's Daily Brief
9 May 1972
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
9 May 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In South Vietnam, the Communists continue to move
forces closer to both Hue and Kontum City, while
in the North, at least one Soviet ship has reported
taking casualties in the latest air attacks. (Page 1)
A COSVN assessment of the first two weeks of the cur-
rent offensive in South Vietnam indicates satisfac-
tion with successes so far, but cautions that hard
fighting lies ahead. (Page 3)
South Korea's defense minister has publicly declared
that Korean forces will not expand their current
limited role in South Vietnam. (Page 4)
West German leaders are still trying to put final
touches on an all-party Bundestag draft resolution,
with debate on the Eastern treaties scheduled to
open today. (Page 5)
U.;
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
The North Vietnamese continue to emplace heavy
caliber artillery north and west of Hue and have
moved their 38th Artillery Regiment into position
northwest of Camp Evans, the northernmost South Viet-
namese strongpoint protecting the city. Camp Evans
and other government defensive positions, including
Fire Support Bases King and Birmingham, have come
under increasingly intense shellings.
More than a week has passed since Quang
Tri City fell, but the Communists may need
additional time before they feel themselves
ready to begin another major offensive in
this area.
/the Communists
apparently are not yet concentrating their
troops in forward positions where they
could be even more vulnerable to observa-
tion and air attack. They are likely to
order their forces to close on the govern-
ment's defensive positions only after sub-
jecting these to sustained artillery bar-
rages.
(continued)
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
In the central highlands, regiments from the
enemy continue to
move closer to Kontum City. Although they have let
almost two weeks pass since they collapsed the gov-
ernment's defensive perimeters at Rocket Ridge and
Vo Dinh, the Communists appear to be trying to
clear their flanks of government outposts they have
bypassed before making a direct assault on Kontum
itself. Polei Kleng, west of the city, fell this
morning, and Ben Net to the northwest has received
a number of enemy ground probes.
Several Soviet ships in the Haiphong area have
passed messages reporting on the air attacks and
the dropping of mines over the port today. At least
one ship, the tanker Pevek, reported that it has
been fired on by aircraft and claimed that four
crew members were wounded.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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SOUTH VIETNAM
COSVN in
mid-April issued an assessment of the recent fight-
ing that claimed great victories had been won over
the South Vietnamese regular army, affording Viet
Cong local forces an opportunity to make a resur-
gence in the populated countryside. COSVN asserted
that Communist forces can ultimately win a total
military, victory.
The COSVN assessment was not entirely optimis-
tic, however. In particular, it took to task the
Viet Cong forces in urban areas for not acting with
enough vigor. While attacks against the govern-
ment's pacification program have made
big gains in some areas, in others--such as the Me-
kong Delta--the offensive was not moving fast
enough.
One main theme of the COSVN report was that
even though. many South Vietnamese Army units have
been drivenout of their "outer defense rings,"
they have pulled back to in-depth defenses around
major bases and cities; these will be difficult to
penetrate. Another theme was. that the Communists
had not yet. committed all of their-available forces
and that they could continue to fight throughout
1972, and beyond, if the allies should refuse to
make political concessions.
The assessment is in.part intended to
raise morale, but it is notable because
COSVN does not routinely pass out much
praise. In.general, the assessment rein-
forces a considerable body of evidence
that the Communists iare-relying heavily
on'regular units as the decisive force
in the current phase of the war. While
it calls on local fordee, guerrillas,.and
cadre in. the cities to exploit the open-
ings: created by the main forces, the.di-
rective.:Zeaves the strong impression that
military victories over the regular South
Vietnamese Army must come first. COSVN
appears to believe that main force ac-
tions will create the kind of unsettled
conditions in which guerrillas and polit-
ical cadre can once again,build up their,
strength and consolidate Communist gains.
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SOUTH KOREA - VIUNAM
South Korean Defense Minister Yu Chae-hung
stated publicly on. 6 May that the current. aission
of Korean troops in Vietnam would remain unchanged
despite US and South Vietnamese efforts to widen
it. lie added that there had been no change in Seoul's
decision eventually to withdrawits troops from Viet-
nam and termed the possibility of sending additional
troops as "totally out: of the question."
Xu's statements reflect the growing con.--
cern of South Korean leaders' over the
repercussions of a continued Korean mil-I-.
tary presence in Vietnam. They increas-
ingly view this role as an international
political liability. President Pak, more-
over, is worried over the domestic impact
Of an increase in Korean casualty rates
and wants to keep losses to a.minimum.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
WEST GERMANY
Chancellor Brandt and opposition leader Barzel
were unable, in a four-hour meeting last night, to
agree on the finishing touches of a draft all-party
Bundestag resolution on the controversial Eastern
treaties. They have scheduled further deliberations
for this morning. Barring a last-minute delay to
permit further negotiations, Bundestag debate on the
treaties is scheduled to begin today, with the vote
to come tomorrow.
Earlier yesterday, Barzel told the US Embassy
that he was having great difficulties with the con-
servatives in his party, most of whom want to reject
the resolution in keeping with the party's attitude
toward the treaties over the past 30 months. Barzel
said he favors accepting the resolution--with certain
"improvements"--and, provided there is an acceptable
Soviet response, permitting ratification of the
treaties.
The disagreement among opposition deputies
in recent days over the utility of., a reso-
lution suggests that they may not adopt
a unified approach toward the treaties.
Regardless of whether their party adopts
the resolution, it appears that at least
four opposition deputies are now prepared
to support the treaties. This may well
be enough to offset defections from
Brandt 's coalition and to give the trea-
ties a simple majority.
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