THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 9 DECEMBER 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993669
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: December 9, 1972

Decl'assifie'd in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011400-080001-2
The President's Daily Brief
9 December 1972
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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
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A011400080001-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
9 December 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In South Vietnam, the Communists are again reported
preparing to launch a last-minute round of attacks
before a cease-fire is declared. The Saigon govern-
ment, concerned that political prisoners--if re-
leased under terms of the cease-fire--would provide
a further source of Communist manpower, hopes to
continue their detention by developing criminal
charges against as many prisoners as possible.
(Page 1)
Japan plans to open its embassy in Peking by the
end of January. (Page 2)
India and Pakistan reached accord on the line of
control in Kashmir on 7 December, thus clearing the
way for mutual troop withdrawals. (Page 3)
The Lebanese Army yesterday began operations against
fedayeen elements that have reinfiltrated the Leba-
non-Israel border area in defiance of a government
ban. (Page 4)
Somalia's President Siad is reported to have been
forced out of office by his colleagues on the ruling
council. (Page 5)
(Page 6)
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?
SOUTH VIETNAM
? The Communists are again reported preparing to
launch a last-minute round of attacks, this time be-
fore 25 December, in order to obtain control of as
much of the countryside as possible before a cease-
fire is declared.
the Central Office for South Vietnam says there will
be a cease-fire in Vietnam between 25 ,December and
1 January. Attacks are said.to have been ordered
north and west of Saigon and in Tay-Ninh Province.
Recent Communist movements in northern South Vietnam
suggest that Units there are also preparing for com-.
bat.
The Saigon government, concerned that politi-
cal prisoners, if released under terms of the cease-
fire, would provide a further source of Communist
manpower, would like to continue their detention.
Communist prisoners in South Vietnam are
estimated at between 30,000 and 40,000.
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JAPAN CHINA
The Japanese cabinet expects to issue an order
on 15 December closing its embassy in Taipei and
authorizing the establishment of an embassy in
China. Japan plans to open the Peking embassy by
the end of January.
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INDIA-PAKISTAN
India and Pakistan reached accord on the line
of control in Kashmir on 7 December.
Although terms of the agreement have not
been publicized, Pakistan apparently aban-
doned its claim to a one and one-half
square mile enclave in return for equiva-
lent territory elsewhere on the line of
control. Both countries presumably will
maintain that this exchange does not af-
fect the claim of each to all of Kashmir.
The agreement clears the way for mutual
troop withdrawals.
Progress toward over-all resolution of
the 25-year Kashmir dispute remains un-
likely. Both sides seem willing for the
time being to live with the situation.
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553902 12-72 CIA
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LEBANON -FEDAYEEN
The Lebanese Army yesterday began operations
against fedayeen elements that have reinfiltrated
the Lebanon-Israel border area in defiance of a
government ban. The guerrillas are apparently put-
ting up stiff resistance, and there have been cas-
ualties on both sides. The Lebanese have been es-
pecially sensitive to fedayeen movements in the
border area since the Israeli commando strike on
23 November against a fedayeen band just north of
the Israeli border.
The guerrillas' willingness to provoke
the Lebanese Army at this time may re-
flect an attempt by guerrilla leader
Yasir Arafat to strengthen his sagging
leadership position. He has been se-
verely criticized by the movement's -
rank and file for his. "capitulation" in
agreeing to controls on the guerrillas.
There are some signs that passions are
rising anew among pro-fedayeen elements
at the American university and the ref-
ugee camps. This could once again
threaten the delicate confessional bal-
ance in Lebanon.
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SOMALIA
President
Siad has been forced out of office by his colleagues
on the ruling council. The move against Siad was
triggered by his demand that two of the council mem-
bers be arrested for plotting against him--a step
that a majority of the council refused to take.
The faction-ridden council has so- far failed to
agree on .a new president, but has selected a trium-
virate that presumably includes Vice-President
Samantar, National Security Service (intelligence)
Director Suleiman, and Information Minister Abokor.
AZthough concern over the growing Soviet
presence in Somalia may be a factor in
Siad's ouster, these new leaders are
likely, to be too preoccupied with inter-
nal matters, especially maneuvering
against one another, to give much atten-
tion to foreign policy questions any time
soon.
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China:
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NOTE
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Top Secret
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