THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 3 AUGUST 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993445
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: August 3, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
The President's Daily Brief
3 August 1972
45
Top Secret25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of EO. 11652
exemption category 5E(1),(2)0)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
3 August 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Fighting is again heavy around Quang Tri City. In
the northern delta, meanwhile, a large concentration
of Communist units has been detected in Base Area
470. (Page 1)
Libya and Egypt have announced plans to unite their
two countries, but the blueprint falls well short
of Qadhafi's hope for complete and immediate fusion.
(Page 2)
The status of Soviet economic technicians in Egypt
do not appear affected by the withdrawal of Soviet
(Page 3) 25X1
25X1
Pakistan
(Page 4)
Bangladesh.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
25X1
25X1
2bxl
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
Demilitarized Zone
\Quang Tri
Gulf of
Thailand
104
553406 8-72
Capital Special. Zone
176 178
South
China .
Sea
SOUTH VIETNAM
MILES
110
12-
10-
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SOUTH VIETNAM
Fighting has picked up around Quang Tri City.
In one of the heaviest battles to date, South Viet-
namese Marines, supported by artillery, engaged
enemy troops on the northwestern outskirts of the
city and held off a number of small Communist ground
assaults. Marine positions in and around the city
came under intense artillery and mortar fire. Just
to the south, airborne units fought several skir-
mishes and captured six tons of ammunition and sup-
plies.
Communist intercepts continue to indicate that
the enemy is preparing for heavy action around the
provincial capital. The headquarters of the senior
enemy command authority for the Quang Tri battle-
front has moved across the DMZ to a position five
miles northeast of the city, suggesting that it
will coordinate the activities of the recently in-
filtrated North Vietnamese 312th and 325th divisions.
West of Hue, government forces today recaptured
Fire Support Base Bastogne. Enemy artillery con-
tinued to shell other government positions nearby.
Intercepts indicate that the Communist units intend
to sustain the pressure on government forces in
this area because they believe that South Vietnam-
ese determination is "wavering." Farther south, the
air base at Da Nang was hit by 38 rockets this morn-
ing, which damaged six US helicopters and killed one
US airman.
The largest concentration of Communist units
in the northern Mekong Delta is gath-
ering in Base Area 470 at the junction of Dinh
Tuong Kien Phong, and Kien Tuong provinces.
enemy military activity has been aimed at reducing
the.government's presence and securing lines of
communications, particularly the extensive waterways
that criss-cross this section of the delta.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LIBYA-EGYPT
Presidents Qadhafi and Sadat have announced
plans for union of:their countries by 1 September
1973. The union is intended to be implemented in
stages under the direction of a unified political:
leadership that will recommend plans. for merging
the institutions of the two countries. Joint com-
mittees will be set up to prepare for integration
of all political, economic, and national security
systems. After approval by the leadership of both
countries, the final formula for union will be sub-
mitted for popular vote.
This blueprint falls well short of Qadhafi's
hope for complete and immediate fusion.
Moreover, Qadhafi's eagerness to press
ahead in his scheme for Arab unity could,
cause him serious problems at home. Rela-
tions with Egypt were a major cause of the
discord that broke out within Libya's col-
lective leadership last month'. Some mem-
bers of the Revolutionary Command Council
have favored.a more cautious approach tO-
ward Egypt and have opposed Qadhafi's gen-
erous financial assistance to the Egyptians.
Libya's political and financial commitment
to the new union is,thus likely to cause
renewed, dissension within the Libyan ruling
group in the coming months and could be a
critical factor in the delicate balance
among its 12 members.
The long lead time for the establishment
of the union was likely a concession to
Sadat. The Egyptian leader seems-to have
agreed to Qadhafi's scheme largely to
avoid antagonizing an important aid donor.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EGYPT-USSR
In fact, the number of Soviet technicians as-
signed to economic aid projects--now standing at
about 550 men
Moscow and Cairo have a mutual interest
in the continuation of substantial Soviet
economic and technical assistance to Egypt.
President Sadat has stated that the re-
moval of Soviet military advisers was not
intended to? alter the basic friendship
and cooperation between the two countries.
He has indicated that Egypt continues to
rely on the USSR for economic and tech-
nical aid.
With the severe reduction of its military
presence in Egypt, Moscow must rely more
than ever on economic and technical as-
sistance to maintain its influence in
Egypt and the Arab world.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
USSR:
Japan: The Japanese Defense Agency has re-
quested a $15-billion appropriation for 1972-76,
more than double the level of defense spending under
the previous five-year program. The share of the
gross national product devoted to defense, however,
would remain at approximately one percent if the
economy grows at or near the expected rate. One ef-
fect of the spending boost would be a significant
increase in purchases of military hardware from the
US.
Paraguay:
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
25X1
25A1
2525X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000030001-1