THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 13 APRIL 1974

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006007722
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 13, 1974

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The President's Daily Brief
April 13, 1974
4.
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of EO. 11652
exemption category 513(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
April 13, 1974
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Israeli troops raided Lebanon last night in retalia-
tion for the terrorist attack Thursday on the border
settlement of Qiryat Shemona. Earlier yesterday,
Syrian troops tried unsuccessfully for the second
time in a week to establish positions in the Mount
Hermon area. (Page 1)
Both the timing and the brevity of Syrian President
Asad's discussions in Moscow suggest that he accepted
Moscow's invitation mainly to soothe Soviet sensi-
tivities about the Washington disengagement talks.
(Page 2)
European central bankers have indicated that concern
over an election victory by Socialist candidate
Mitterrand could lead to sizable capital movements
from France. (Page 3)
Khmer Communist ground attacks have slackened around
Kampot in the past few days, but the southwestern
coastal city remains under heavy siege. (Page 4)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Beirut
The Syrian Front
Mediterranean
Sidon /
Damascus
Qatana
Damascus!
International
Line
Al Harrah
196 ease-Fire
Lin
yrian Line
Lake
Tiberias
Shaykh
?
Miskin
Nazareth '
10 20 ? Al Mafraq
Kilometers
10 20
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ISRAEL-SYRIA
Israeli troops raided Lebanon last night in re-
taliation for the terrorist attack Thursday on the
border settlement of Qiryat Shemona. The Israelis
destroyed houses allegedly used by fedayeen, and
seized six border villages before withdrawing after
a few hours.
The attack was not as harsh as the Lebanese ex-
pected. Tel Aviv avoided larger scale retaliation,
presumably because of concern over the fate of two
Israeli pilots held in Lebanon and the effect more
serious attacks might have on peace negotiations.
Earlier yesterday, Syrian troops tried unsuccess-
fully for the second time in a week to establish posi-
tions in the Mount Hermon area. Heavy exchanges of
tank and artillery fire were also reported along the
battle lines by both Damascus and Tel Aviv.
Military authorities in Tel Aviv asserted that
a ten-man Syrian commando group attempted to take a
post on Mount Hermon overlooking Israeli positions.
The Israelis say that artillery fire forced the Syr-
ians to withdraw. Last Saturday, the Israelis used
air strikes to dislodge a 40-man Syrian unit from
the same area.
Israeli aircraft were active yesterday over
northern Israel and the Golan Heights./
The daily exchanges of fire along the battle
line, the Syrian ground probes of Israeli positions,
the fedayeen attack on Qiryat Shemona, and Israel's
retaliation are keeping forces on both sides edgy.
The increase in Syrian air activity reflects Damas-
cus' uncertainty as to Israeli intentions in the
wake of the Qiryat Shemona attack.
1
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SYRIA-USSR-EGYPT
Syrian President Asad concluded his talks with
Soviet leaders yesterday. Both the timing and the
brevity of the discussions suggest that he accepted
Moscow's invitation mainly to soothe Soviet sensi-
tivities about the Washington disengagement talks.
Asad probably also hoped to take advantage of the
current strains in Soviet-Egyptian relations to
? strengthen Soviet support for Syria's negotiating
stance and to press Moscow for more military assist-
ance.
In sharp contrast to the recent public attitude
of Egyptian President Sadat, Asad was extremely com-
plimentary to the Soviets. At a banquet in his honor
Thursday evening, Asad said Syria was eager to expand
cooperation with the Soviet Union and to strengthen
the two countries' friendship. In addition, he
thanked the Soviets for their "constant support" of
Syria's objectives in the struggle against Israel.
Moscow gave Asad red-carpet treatment, and the
three top Soviet leaders were present for the talks.
At a luncheon speech yesterday, President Podgorny
referred to agreements With Syria, but no details
are available. An end-of-the-visit communiqu6 has
already been approved, although it probably will not
be issued until after Asad leaves.
.In his dinner speech Thursday night, Brezhnev
made no effort to hide his displeasure with Egyptian
and US diplomacy. Referring to the bilateral disen-
gagement negotiations, he criticized "ersatz-plans"
aimed at replacing an overall settlement with
"partial" agreements. He stressed once again that
the Geneva Conference has been set up as the authori-
tative international forum and it is only there that
a settlement "can and must" be worked out.
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FRANCE
European central bankers at a closed meeting in
Basel on April 9 indicated that investors' fears of
an election victory by Socialist candidate Francois
Mitterrand could lead to sizable capital movements
from France. Investors believe that a Mitterrand
victory will lead to greater government control of
the economy and are seeking safer havens for their
funds now, before new capital controls can be imposed.
Similar fears during the last presidential election
resulted in pressure on the franc.
Substantial movements of capital from France
have already begun./
Large transfers to Switzerland also have been re-
ported. If this trend continues, Paris will have
only two options: to accept a weaker franc until
after the election or to intervene in the foreign
exchange markets and deplete France's foreign ex-
change reserves.
3
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Kompong Chain
Skirmishes
Oudong
555662 4-74 CIA
crk.
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NOTES
Cambodia: Khmer Communist ground attacks have
slackened around Kampot in the past few days., but.
the southwestern coastal city remains under heavy
siege.. Communist, gunners are still blockading
Kampot's main outlet to the sea and are shelling
government positions daily. Government morale is
holding up well, however. Reinforcements continue
to work. their way overland from the coast and the.
Cambodian Air Force is providing effective support.
The Communists have been keeping heavy pressure on-
Kampot for over a month now, and the steady expendi-
ture of ammunition and supplies may be taxing their
logistic system. They show no signs of abandoning
their campaign, however.
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Top Secret
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