THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 18 AUGUST 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993471
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: August 18, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
The President's Daily Brief -
18 August 1972
45
Secret 25X1
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5B(1),(2),(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
18 August 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In South Vietnam, heavy fighting has erupted in the
Quang Tri City area as government forces are nearing
the Communist-held citadel. (Page 1)
Hanoi has published an editorial in the party daily
which makes it clear that the North Vietnamese con7
sider some of their supporters more dependable at
the moment than the USSR and China. (Page 2)
The death of Morocco's strong man, Major General
Mohamed Oufkir, will increase the tension and in-
stability caused by the attempt on King Hassan's
life. (Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18: CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
Heavy fighting has erupted in the Quang Tri
City area as government forces are nearing the Com-
munist-held citadel. South Vietnamese Marines en-
gaged in sharp street fighting near the southern
wall and moved against a well-entrenched enemy force
defending the western side, the last portion outside
the fortress wall still controlled by the Communists.
South of Quang Tri City, South Vietnamese paratroop-
ers fought a day-long battle with enemy forces some
five miles from the citadel. Heavy Communist artil-
lery and mortar fire was reported throughout the
area.
The headquarters of the North Vietnamese 312th
Division now appears to have shifted south from the
staging area at Dong Hoi to within 20 miles of the
DMZ.
The 312th is the last battle-tested infan-
try reserve remaining in North Vietnam.
One of its regiments is already fighting
in Quang Tri City, and the other two are
apparently en route. The Communists have
now committed elements of four infantry
divisions--the 312th, 308th, 320B, and
325th--to the battle for Quang Tri City.
Additionally, Hanoi's 304th Division is
located not far south of the city.
Early today a rocket attack was directed at Da
Nang causing heavy casualties and damage. No major
new ground action has been reported in the southern
provinces, although scattered fighting continues
throughout the area.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NORTH VIETNAM
Hanoi has again published caustic criticism of
Moscow and Peking. In an editorial in the party
daily on 17 August--an editorial termed "important"
by Hanoi Radio--the North Vietnamese make it clear
that they consider their supporters in the third
world more dependable at the moment than their big
Communist allies.
Most of the editorial, in fact, is devoted to
the danger that the US will drive a wedge among
"fraternal socialist" countries by holding out the
prospect of "reconciliation." The writer claims
that "principled reconciliation" between big powers
is not objectionable, since this would serve to
strengthen the position of the "world revolution."
He asserts, however, that if the policy of a social-
ist country is "aimed at caring for its narrow and
immediate interests, it will not only harm the revo-
lutionary movements of various countries (read Viet-
nam), but in the end will bring these very countries
incalculable losses and make them give up their
lofty internationalist duty."
At one point, in fact, the editorial comes
close to accusing the Soviets and Chinese of collu-
sion with the US, and at another place it charges
them with uttering "empty words."
The Nhan Dan editorial follows publication
of an article in the party ideological
journal that likewise contains bitter
criticism of Hanoi's two major allies.
The tone of the editorial, however, is
more acerbic than anything published on
this subject in over a year.
Hanoi's biting epithets seem ungracious,
given the fact that Peking, and perhaps
Moscow as well, have recently entered
into new aid agreements with the North
Vietnamese. The clear implication is
that, despite these agreements, the Viet-
namese Communists are deeply disturbed
over the way-big-power politics are hurt-
ing Hanoi's vital interests.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/18: CIA-RDP79T00936A011000160001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
MOROCCO
The death of MorOcco's strong man, Major
General Mohamed Oufkir, will increase the
tension and instability caused by the -at-
tempt on King Hassan's life.
Oufkir directed loyal forces in the initial
counterattack, but
took his life
the Moroccan Government has only reported OutKir s
suicide.
Major General Driss Ben Aomar has been named
acting defense minister. He is a loyal and respected
army officer, but he lacks Oufkir's drive and formi-
dable reputation
As was the case in the 1971 coup attempt,
most of the rebel officers are Berbers,
who resent the predominance of the Arabized
political and social elite in Morocco.
There is also deep-seated dislike among
many educated Moroccans for the King, his
sumptuous life style, and his autocratic
rule. Hassan's position depends almost
entirely on the support of the military
and security forces, and the future of
the monarchy is now more than ever in
jeopardy.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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