THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 28 AUGUST 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993488
• 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 28, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000250001-7
The President's Daily Brief
28 August 1972
45
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5B( I ),(2).13)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000250001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000250001-7 ?
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
28 August 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In South Vietnam, government troops are continuing
to regain territory in Quang Nam Province, but the
Communists are preparing for heavier fighting.
(Page 1)
yang Pao's offensive to recapture the Plaine des
Jarres in Laos is encountering its first determined
Communist resistance. (Page 2)
The Japanese economy is emerging from its longest
postwar slump; the growth rate is expected to
reach ten percent by the end of the year. (Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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1111 DEMILITARIZED ZONE
SOUTH
VIETNAM
SOUTH
Da Na
CHINA
553517 8-72 CIA
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
Government troops are continuing to regain ter-
ritory in Quang Nam Province, but the Communists are
preparing for heavier fighting. South Vietnamese
fordes in Que Son district capital repulsed a series
of enemy counterattacks yesterday with the help of
heavy air strikes. Last night, however, North Viet-
namese troops seized the military compound of the
district headquarters in Que Son, according to press
reports. A government task force has linked up with
advance elements that captured the town on 25 August.
The task force has also cleared some of the high
ground overlooking Que Son. Substantial Communist
artillery fire ?is being directed against the govern-
ment's field command at Fire Support Base Baldy, and
enemy ground resistance is stiffening as the South
Vietnamese near enemy-held Fire Support Base Ross.
A major Communist supply and assembly area,
along with possibly eight tanks, has been observed
about ten miles southwest of Que Son. Large amounts
of ammunition and foodstuffs are stocked there that
are evidently intended to support a major enemy ef-
fort in the coastal region.
In Quang Tri Province, sporadic heavy fighting
occurred near the east side of Quang Tri City's
citadel during the weekend as South Vietnamese Ma-
rines pressed their campaign to clear the Communists
from this portion of the fortress. Some 2,800
rounds of artillery and mortar fire were directed
at government positions in and around the city on
26 August, causing only light losses. Intercepted
messages show that the Communists have moved about
7,200 sick and wounded troops northward during the
past two months. Most of them--about 4,000--have
been detected since mid-July when the current bat-
tle for Quang Tri Province intensified.
Fighting elsewhere during the weekend was gen-
erally light, but new enemy attacks are expected in
the central highlands and in the delta.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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LAOS: PLAINE DES JARRES AREA
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Vang Pao's offensive to recapture the Plaine
des Jarres is encountering its first determined
Communist resistance. North Vietnamese forces
shelled and attacked several irregular positions
on three sides of the Plaine on 25-26 August. In
the most serious action, irregulars were forced
to abandon two positions near Phou Houang and are
regrouping about three miles to the south. Other
sharp clashes occurred near Phou Keng, Phou Then,
and Tha Tam Bleung.
Three additional irregular battalions have
been airlifted into positions near Phou Keng,
north of the Plaine, to reinforce the three bat-
talions that have been stalled there since they
were deployed five days ago. The combined force
is now moving toward the northern edge of the
?Plaine.
The government's 15-day-old offensive
has made scant progress despite the fact
that the Communists offered little re-
sistance until two days ago. Several
days of bad weather hampered tactical
air support and resupply flights. Im-
proved weather on Saturday, however,
enabled the task force moving south from
Bouam Long to take Phou Then, a hill
overlooking the western edge of the
Plaine. Intercepts indicate that the
five North Vietnamese regiments on or
near the Plaine are closely monitoring
the irregulars and are planning continued
resistance.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
JAPAN
The Japanese-economy,is emerging from its
longest pOstwarslump, and the growth rate, al-
ready acceleratingiA.s:expected to reach ten per-
cent by the end of the year. Japan's trade surplus
is continuing to increase and may reach some $8.7
billion this year compared with $7.8 billion in
1971. The surplus with the US is increasing at:\an
even faster rate, partly because the Japanese are
developing supply- sources other, than the US to meet
their.growing needs.for such major imports as coal.
3
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTE
Venezuela:
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Top Secret
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