THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 12 MAY 1973

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993821
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 12, 1973

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The President's Daily Brief
12 May 1973
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5011),(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
12 May 1973
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Communist cadre in South Vietnam are being told
that the North Vietnamese leadership was respon-
sible for the decision to give precedence to
political operations over military action for the
next six months. (Page 1)
The North Vietnamese are moving significant numbers
of civilians south into northern South Vietnam in
an effort to repopulate areas under Communist con-
trol. (Pae 2).
The Korean reunification talks, now a year old,
have made little progress on substantive issues,
but they have helped to reduce tensions in the
area. (Page 3)
The Libyan Government has given Western oil com-
panies until May 17 to accept its demand for com-
plete control of company operations. (Page 4)
Qadhafi is planning to use an international youth
conference that convenes in Libya this weekend to
promote his propaganda campaign against Israel and
the United States. (Page 5)
\Ira
/ (Page 6)
Polish and East German leaders will use Brezhnev's
short visits this weekend to seek reassurances that
he will keep their interests in mind when he goes
to Bonn next week. (Page 7)
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VIETNAM
Communist cadre in the South are being told
that the North Vietnamese leadership was responsible
for the decision to give precedence to political
operations over military action for the next six
months.
Cadre at a conference in Tay Ninh Province
last month were told that the party central com-
mittee in Hanoi believes the "different" situation
pertaining in the South since the cease-fire re-
quires new methods and objectives.
the central committee advised the
southern party "not to think of launching any mili-
tary campaigns," but to concentrate instead on de-
veloping "liberated" areas, political capabilities,
and local infrastructures from May through October
1973. Hanoi also called for continued efforts to
strengthen the armed forces and defend against
"infringements on liberated" territories.
The cadre were told that further 'reliance on
military action alone would simply prolong the
"same tedious pattern" of launching campaign after
campaign that preceded the Paris agreement. Al-
though this effort resulted in a cease-fire and a
US military withdrawal, the people were left with
a "wretched existence" while no permanent damage
was done to the Saigon government.
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The political instructions call for increasing
the population in specified areas in order to demon-
strate credible popular support for the Viet Cong.
(Other information on relocation of population
follows on next page). People can be attracted by
building industries, setting up agricultural pro-
duction, and creating transport and marketing
systems. The cadre were told that these efforts
cannot be undertaken unless the central committee
operates "within the framework of the cease-fire
agreement." These instructions reportedly are
being disseminated widely in South Vietnam.
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Halittlo.hq
inh
VIENTIANE
Dong Hol
THAILAND
o
Vinh Linh
Special Zone
MILITARIZED ZONE
Quang Tri
75 Kilometers
751811es
554361 5-73
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
The North Vietnamese are moving significant num-
bers of civilians south into northern South Vietnam
in an effort to repopulate areas under Communist con-
trol. Intercepts show that since late April almost
3,000 people have been relocated from Nghe An Prov-
ince in southern North Vietnam to the Vinh Linh Spe-
cial Zone just above the DMZ. Many of these people
subsequently were moved across the border into Quang
Tri Province,
The establishment of a North Vietnamese
civil presence has been under way since
the cease-fire began. Large numbers of
civilian specialists have been sent from
North Vietnam to help organize political
administrations and to provide social
services. Many of these specialists are
?native southerners returning home after
training in the North. The people now
being relocated include former civilian
residents of Quang Tri Province who were
moved to North Vietnam after the Commu-
nists overran the province during last
year's offensive.
North Vietnamese staffed administrations
with direct links to Hanoi's internal ad-
ministrative apparatus have been noted
operating in the Communist-controlled
area from the DMZ south to the Thach Han
River. The civilian populace in this and
many other Communist-controlled areas has
been sparse or nonexistent, and Hanoi ap-
parently is acting to correct this situa-
tion.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NORTH KOREA - SOUTH KOREA
The reunification talks, now a year old, have helped
reduce tensions even though progress on substantive
issues has been slight. Moreover, each side has
learned that its ability to influence the other's
ideology and political processes is limited.
On balance, the talks have been more advantageous
to North Korea. They have facilitated broader in-
ternational acceptance of the Pyongyang regime.
More than a dozen countries have recognized North
Korea since the talks began, and UN observer status
now appears likely either this year or next.
Pyongyang is working to exploit its enhanced status
to develop international support for a mutual reduc-
tion of forces in Korea and the withdrawal of all US
troops. The North Koreans see little chance of US
withdrawal any time soon, but they may see some
chance for mutual troop cuts. There are signs that
they would welcome the opportunity to divert more
funds to industrial development.
For its part, South Korea has partially achieved its
purposes in the talks. Its over-all goal was to be-
gin to develop a relationship with Pyongyang that
would preclude a North Korean attack. It was moti-
vated largely by uncertainty over the meaning of the
Nixon Doctrine for Korea, particularly whether US
forces would remain. There was also a domestic
factor. President Pak Chong-hui cited the talks,
and the resulting danger he saw of a relaxation in
South Korea's military preparedness, as justifica-
tion for reshaping South Korean society along more
authoritarian lines as he had long wanted to do.
The President's immediate domestic objectives are
largely accomplished. Moreover, he is now more sure
of a continued US presence and thus less fearful of
new North Korean military action. His interest in
the talks is therefore diminished.
The talks will continue, though perhaps at a slower
pace. Both sides know that the big powers want con-
tinuation of detente on the peninsula. Eventually,
the barriers to non-political contact and coopera-
tion may be lowered.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LIBYA
The government has given Western oil companies
until May 17 to accept Tripoli's demand for complete
control of company operations. The companies are
expected to counter this by offering to participate
with Libya in a 50-50 joint operating company and
to provide money for new exploitation.
Although this proposal is unlikely to sat-
isfy Libya--which wants a better deal than
? that obtained by the Persian Gulf coun-
tries--it should buy more negotiating time.
The Libyans probably are not prepared to
nationalize the entire oil industry, but
they could take over one company at a
time.
The companies' interests are not parallel,
and it will not be easy for them to pre-
sent a united front. Several?Continental,
Marathon, and Occidental?have little or
no foreign holdings other than those in
Libya and thus are inclined to yield.
Others such as Exxon, Texaco, and Standard
Oil (California) will be reluctant to make
concessions to Libya that are likely to
set a precedent for the Persian Gulf oil
producers.
Libyan oil minister Mabruk said he was making
no new demands on the Bunker-Hunt oil company be-
cause "we're taking them over anyway."
The decision to nationalize Bunker-Hunt
may be a concession to the recent feda-
yeen demand that Qadhafi nationalize the
oil industry. Although Qadhafi said in
an interview this week that he will not
take such action unless other Arab states
agree to do likewise, he probably is will-
ing to nationalize Bunker-Hunt since this
would enhance his revolutionary image at
small economic cost. Bunker-Hunt has
been operating without a formal agreement
since its former partner, British Petro-
leum, was nationalized in late 1971.
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LIBYA
Qadhafi will use an international youth con-
ference that convenes in Libya this weekend to pro-
mote his propaganda campaign against Israel and the
United States. Invitations to the conference,
billed as the Socialist Union of European and Arab
Youth, reportedly have been extended to:
--extremist groups, including the Black Mus-
lims, the Black Panthers, and the Quebec
Liberation Front
--numerous political parties and liberation
movements from Africa, Asia, and Latin America
--representatives from international organiza-
tions including the UN
--other guests such as OAU Secretary-General
Ekangabi, Prince Sihanouk, and professionals
and academicians from the US and Europe.
The lure of Libyan money probably will draw a sizable
gathering.
Among the propaganda themes that Qadhafi ap-
parently intends to push are what he calls the "dis-
honest alliance" of the major powers against the
less developed countries and the "siege" ?of the
Libyan revolution by Zionism and imperialism.
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IRAQ-USSR
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NOTES
USSR - Poland - East Germany: Polish and East
German leaders will use Brezhnev's short visits this
weekend to seek reassurances that he will keep their
interests in mind when he goes to Bonn next week.
The East Germans in particular are concerned that
Moscow's pursuit of detente may be carried out at
their expense. Brezhnev will listen and, no doubt,
offer the required.reassurances, He is unlikely,
however, to let their worries keep him from at-
tempting to achieve .a general improvement in Soviet
relations with West Germany.
France: Pierre Juillet, a conservative Gaul-
list who is President Pompidou's closest political
adviser, has offered to resign. Juillet is said to
believe that Pompidou has gone too far in showing
favor to the centrists in the government. Pompidou
apparently is attempting to convince Juillet to
withdraw his resignation, but if he stays on, his
influence with the President is likely to diminish.
Although Juillet's attempt to resign reflects the
growing rift between Pompidou and old-line Gaullists,
his departure would have no dramatic effect on French
politics or policies.
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Top Secret
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