THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 12 APRIL 1973

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993795
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 12, 1973

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010009-9
The President's Daily Brief
12 April 1973
45
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 513(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-RDP79T00936A011600010009-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
12 April 1973
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
The outlook for rice-importing countries is bleak
with little rice available for purchase anywhere
and with prices more than doubled in the past nine
months. (Page 1)
The EC Commission's recommendations on the Commu-
nity's position toward the coming multilateral
trade negotiations stress reciprocity among de-
veloped countries and expansion of world agricul-
tural trade. (Page 2)
Libyan President Qadhafi's fears
tack
an Israeli at-
(Page 3)
North Vietnamese units yesterday launched a heavy
attack against government positions ?near Tha Viang
southeast of the Plaine des Jarres. (Page 5)
Intercepted North Vietnamese communications since
the shootdown of the ICCS aircraft on April 7 show
that the Communists are trying to prevent another
incident. (Page 6)
Palestinian guerrilla organizations are trying to
develop a major anti-American campaign in Beirut.
(Page 6)
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WORLD RICE SITUATION
The outlook for rice-importing countries is
bleak, at least until after the fall harvest.
There is very little rice available for purchase
anywhere and prices for the small amounts avail-
able have more than doubled in the past nine months.
The US harvest, for example, would nor-
mally be in August, but because of bad
weather it will be delayed and may not
meet goals for a ten-percent increase
in production. The major Asian crops
will not be planted until the monsoon
begins, probably in June, and will not
be harvested until November.
World rice exports this year almost cer-
tainly will total less than 7 million
tons, compared with the record 8 million
tons exported last year. US exports will
probably be comparable to last year's
2 million tons, but exports from Thai-
land, Japan, and Burma probably will be
lower, accounting for most of the ex-
pected difference between 1972 and this
year.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
The EC Commission's recommendations on
the Community's position toward the com-
ing multilateral trade negotiations stress
reciprocity among developed countries and
expansion of world agricultural trade.
The Commission considers a total elimination
of tariffs unrealistic and suggests instead a level-
ing of tariffs and reciprocity of tariff reduction
within individual categories of industrial goods.
The Commission holds that non-tariff barriers to
trade--such as quotas, licensing systems, and tech-
nical standards--are so diverse that they should be
dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Although agricultural price policies will not
be addressed directly in the talks, the Commission
recognizes that they will be affected by negotiations
on structural reform and export subsidies. It rec-
ommends international agreements on certain products,
some of which would give preference to developing
countries.
In further recognition of the demands of devel-
oping countries, the Commission advocates improving
the EC's scheme of generalized preferences and ex-
cepting a small number of products from tariff re-
ductions. It notes, ?however, that concessions in
the EC's scheme will depend on the adoption of a
similar program by the US.
The Commission seems deliberately ambiguous on
safeguards against imports. While calling for non-
discrimination on the one hand, it seems to recog-
nize on the other the selective application of safe-
guard measures. Should such measures be employed,
the Commission advocates international supervision.
2
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LIBYA
Qadhafi's fears of an Israeli attack prob-
ably have been heightened by the Israeli
raid into Lebanon earlier this week and
by Tel Aviv's subsequent warning that it
will strike at the terrorists anywhere.
3
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CHINA NORTH VIETNAM
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LAOS: Plaine des Jarres Area
AREA OF
MAIN MAP
Vientiane
r-
1,0 20 M es
20 KiIometers
o 554305 4-73 CIA
? Government-held location
? Communist-held locatiord.
".
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LAOS
North Vietnamese units yesterday launched a
heavy attack against government positions near Tha
Viang, a village on Route 4 southeast of the Plaine
des Jarres. Government troops, supported by Lao
T-28s, so far have held most positions and have suf-
fered few casualties.
At least five North Vietnamese infantry battal-
ions along with artillery and sapper units are now
near Tha Viang. Intercepted enemy radio messages
indicate that these units will attempt to drive the
government from the area.
The Communists have pointed to the govern-
ment presence at Tha Viang as an encroach-
menton their territory. Several govern-
ment battalions moved into this area late
last month after Communist attacks forced
them from positions farther north. These
units have since been reinforced and some
23000 government troops are now in the
vicinity of Tha Viang.
Vientiane has not commented on this out-
break of fighting!
5
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
'Vietnam: Intercepted North Vietnamese commu-
nicatrEn?gInce the shootdown of the ICCS aircraft
on April 7 show that the Communists are trying to
prevent another incident. Messages from various
Communist authorities have orderecLair defense units
to withhold fire against helicopters when identifi-
cation is not possible, to fire only if fired on,
and to distinguish carefully between ICCS and other
aircraft.
? Fedayeen-Lebanon: Palestinian guerrilla or-
ganizations-are trying to develop a major anti-Amer-
ican campaign in Beirut. For, the second day police
dispersed demonstrators yesterday that were attempt-
ing to reach the us Embassy. In their effort to
provoke incidents, guerrilla agitators will try to
exploit the funeral for the three slain fedayeen
leaders today.
Peru: The reported arrest on Tuesday of Gen-
eral TarEel Hoyos Rubio and his replacement.as com-
mander of the armored division is a forceful show
of strength by moderate elements who are maneuver-
ing to ensure that Prime Minister Mercado will suc-
ceed the ailing President Velasco. Loss of effec-
tive control over this key Lima-based division seri-
ously erodes Velasco's ability to hang on to the
presidency indefinitely and limits his influence
on the choice of his successor.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Top Secret
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