THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 9 MAY 1973

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993818
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 9, 1973

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The President's Daily Brief
9 May 1973
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7-2.1)--Stret
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of ED. 11652
exemption category 5B( I ),(2).(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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EYES ONLY FOR THE PF?ESIDEN I
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
May 9, 1973
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EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
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EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
May 8, 1973
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EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LATE ITEM
Some fighting has resumed in Lebanon today.
Press reports state that tank and machine-gun fire
broke out near a refugee camp on the southern out-
skirts of Beirut.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
9 May 1973
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
The Lebanese Army has reacted strongly against feda-
yeen who had breached the cease-fire, while negotia-
tions with the guerrilla leadership continue. (Page 1)
The transfer of Libyan and Iraqi ground-attack air-
craft to Egypt has upgraded the Arabs' capability
to attack Israeli targets. (Page 2)
the Chinese
(Page 3)
Cambodia's four-man council is making little progress
in forming a new cabinet. (Page 4)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LEBANON -FEDAYEEN
The army yesterday reacted in strength against
guerrillas in the Beirut area who breached the cease-
fire and others who refused to surrender such "offen-
sive" weapons such as rockets and mortars. Most
areas outside the capital were quiet. Army units
from the south have reinforced Beirut. Yet another
cease-fire has been declared, and negotiations with
the fedayeen leadership continue.
The durability of the latest cease-fire 'de-
pends on whether Yasir Arafat can keep
most fedayeen from becoming embroiled in
fighting incited by the guerrilla extrem-
ists. The government also faces the possi-
bility that Communists and other leftists
might join in the fight against the army.
The Lebanese remain alarmed over Syria's inten-
tions. Shortly before fighting resumed yesterday,
Syrian Foreign Minister
Khaddam warned President Franjiyah that Syria "could
not ignore" any further action against the fedayeen.
He is said also to have cautioned that Syrian armed
forces miaht OCCUDV some Lebanese territory if there
Syria's closure of
the border and the call by Radio Damascus for the
Lebanese people to join the guerrillas' fight have
added to the government's concern.
A report that a force, probably composed of
Syrian regulars, entered Lebanon yesterday has not
been confirmed.
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Ground Attack Aircraft in Egypt
SU-7 Fitter
-1,
Mirage 5
SU-7 Fitter
Low Altitude Capabilities
Combat radius Payload Mission time
265 nm 6,000 lbs 1.3 hrs
75 nm 4,400 lbs 0.4 hrs
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EGYPT
The Arabs' capability to attack Israeli targets has
been upgraded by the transfer of Libyan and Iraqi
ground-attack aircraft to Egypt, but Israel's mili-
tary superiority is not yet threatened.
About 30 Libyan Mirages and some 16 Iraqi Hawker
Hunters were transferred to Egypt last month. Thus
there are now a variety of aircraft in Egypt that
can be used in a ground-attack role, including So-
viet built SU-7 and SU-17 Fitters and MIG-17 Frescos.
These are in addition to Egypt's 26 TU-16 medium
bombers and some 15 IL-28 light bombers.
The Mirage is the best of the ground-attack aircraft
now in Egypt, particularly in range and in size and
diversity of payload. Both the Mirage and the Fitter
can reach targets in Israel proper, but only the
Mirage can fly at the low altitudes required to pene-
trate Israeli defenses and still reach Israel with a
sizable payload. At low altitudes, the Fitter would
be restricted to operations over the Sinai.
The Hunters, which have about twice the payload of
the MIG-17, would be useful in ground-attack missions
close ?to the Suez Canal. In such a role, they would
complement the MIGs as well as the Mirages and Fit-
ters.
The Libyan Mirages are believed to be flown by Egyp-
tians who have been training on them for over a year.
These pilots appear to be capable of flying them in
combat. The Hunters are piloted by Iraqis, and evi-
dence suggests that their proficiency is low.
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CHINA
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
The ruling High Political Council is making
little headway in forming a new cabinet. The ap-
pointment of a prime minister has been snarled by
the Republican Party's advocacy of a political non-
entity for the post.
The council and party representatives have made
more progress on policy issues. They have agreed on
the need for new elections but, rather than risk fur-
ther dispute on this delicate subject, have deferred
decision on the type and timing. On military mat-
ters, they have agreed to place the armed forces un-
der civilian control, presumably through the prime
minister's office.
The council reportedly has accepted Lon Nol's
proposal to elevate Army Chief of Staff Sosthene
Fernandez to the new post of commander in chief of
the armed forces.
The President's proposal seems to be a re-
sponse to demands by the other council
members that he reduce his substantial in-
volvement in military affairs.
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Top Secret
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