THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 21 NOVEMBER 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993637
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: November 21, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011300190001-1
The President's Daily Brief
21 November 1972
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 58(1),(2),(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
21 November 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
South Vietnamese Marines north of Quang Tri City
have moved close to the Cua Viet River, the last
natural barrier held by the Communists south of the
Demilitarized Zone. Meanwhile, North Vietnamese
resupply operations in southern North Vietnam are
continuing at very high levels. (Page 1)
General Torrijos is reported to have decided to
maintain a firm position when ambassadorial level
negotiations on the canal resume, but will also
press for a top level meeting to break the impasse.
(Page 2)
South Korea's new constitution, which will permit
President Pak Chong-hui to rule indefinitely, will
be approved today in a national referendum. (Page 3)
Soviet
(Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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? DEMILITARIZED ZONE
South Vietnamese
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETHAH
South Vietnamese Marines north of Quang Tri
City have moved close to the Cua Viet River, the
last natural barrier held by the Communists south
of the Demilitarized Zone. Heavy rains now are
hampering the Marines, however, and have slowed a
South.Vietnamese paratroop attack west of the pro-
vincial capital into an area that has been under
enemy control since last spring.
In the central highlands, elements of a North
Vietnamese division are continuing a week-old se-
ries of attacks in western Pleiku Province. On
Sunday, South Vietnamese regulars west of Thanh An
District capital turned back a sharp ground attack
and repelled a sapper raid on a government strong-
point.
These highlands actions are similar to
those mounted by the Communists against
border ranger camps in Kontum and Pleiku
provinces during the past several weeks.
The enemy apparently is trying to elimi-
nate any significant government presence
in the highlands near the border.
Military activity in the south remains light
and sporadic. The Communists continue mortar and
rocket fire against scattered district and provin-
cial cities in the delta, but none of these actions
has been followed up by major ground attacks.
The partially restored rail line from Hanoi
to Thanh Hoa is being used to move large quantities
of supplies into southern North Vietnam. On 19
November, a major logistic headquarters in the
Thanh Hoa area reported that its units would move
nearly 10,000 tons of "merchandise" south between
19 and 30 November. The supplies are being trans-
ferred from rail to truck around Thanh Hoa for
shipment farther south. Heavy supply activity has
also been scheduled near Vinh.
Resupply operations in southern North
Vietnam, which began about two months
ago, are continuing at very high levels.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
PANAMA
In early November, General Torrijos, after con-
ferring with top political and foreign policy ad-
visers, is reported to have issued new guidelines
to his Canal negotiators. These guidelines show
no weakening of Panama's basic demand for complete
jurisdiction and control of the Canal Zone. Tor-
rijos, however, now wants three treaties rather
than a single comprehensive document.
--One treaty would cover such issues as the
timing of the cession of the present Canal to
Panama and the amount of compensation Panama
is to receive.
--Another agreement would concern construction
of a new sea-level Canal and would provide for
joint US-Panamanian ownership and management.
--The third treaty would constitute a defense
agreement and would call for a large annual
rent for US bases in Panama, limitations on
personnel strengths, and Panamanian jurisdic-
tion over US citizens off base.
Torrijos presumably realizes that these de-
mands are unacceptable to the US and will not ad-
vance the ambassadorial level negotiations. He
tends, in any case, to be deeply suspicious of
diplomatic negotiations and is said to have re-
marked last week that the best way to reach an
understanding with the US is for the heads of gov-
ernments to work out a basic understanding and
then let the diplomats handle the details. Tor-
rijos also said that he is attempting to arrange
a meeting with President Nixon.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
South Korea: South Korea's new constitution,
which will permit President Pak Chong-hui to rule
indefinitely, will be approved today in a national
referendum. The government has pulled out all stops
to ensure a heavy vote in favor. Pockets of oppo-
sition among the intellectual and Christian commu-
nities have been thoroughly intimidated by the re-
gime's tough application of its martial law author-
ity. They can show their displeasure only by boy-
cotting the referendum.
ussitcubal /
Morocco: King Hassan has announced a new "gov-
ernment of technicians." Hassan will continue to
command the military himself, and Ahmed Osman, his
brother-in-law, is prime minister. The major polit-
ical parties are not represented and the new govern-
ment therefore will appear to the public as a con-
tinuation of Hassan's unpopular rule. Elections
are promised for early next year, but the parties
are not now inclined to participate.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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