THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 11 FEBRUARY 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006007939
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: February 11, 1975

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The President's Daily Brief
February 11, 1975
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5111( I ),(2)(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
February 11, 1975
Table of Contents
Syria: Syria expects Secretary Kissinger to pro-
pose another Israeli withdrawal from the Golan
Heights as well as from the Sinai. (Page 1)
Cyprus: The intercommunal talks were postponed yes-
terday amid indications that both sides are
preparing to present their maximum demands.
(Page 2)
Venezuela: Venezuela appears to have hardened its
position on the US Trade Reform Act. (Page 3)
Western Europe, Portugal: West European nations
are having difficulty finding ways to support
moderate forces in Portugal. (Page 4)
Cambodia: Prince Sihanouk has again indicated his
interest in discussing a peaceful settlement.
(Page 5)
Ethiopia: Rebels may threaten the US facilities
at Kagnew. (Page 6)
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Al Kiswah
? /
ria
a
Jordan
0, 10 15 Kilometers ?
.677 5 10 15 Miles
.Dar'a
557302 2-75
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SYRIA
Syria expects Secretary Kissinger
to arrive in Damascus with a proposal
for another Israeli withdrawal from the
Golan Heights as well as from the Sinai,
The Israelis returned the town as part of the first
Syrian-Israeli disengagement agreement last May.
The deputy minister said Syria would reject such a
proposal and demand a resumption of the Geneva
peace talks unless the Israelis agreed to return
the three strategic hills as well.
The Syrians can be expected to turn down al-
most ?any offer Secretary Kissinger initially makes
in an attempt to obtain further concessions. Should
?Egypt succeed in getting another Israeli pullback,
however, the Syrians would probably settle for what-
ever territory they could get both to avoid isola-
tion and to demonstrate domestically that the re-
gime's negotiating efforts are paying dividends.
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CYPRUS
The intercommunal talks were post-
poned yesterday amid indications that
both sides are preparing position papers
reflecting their maximum demands.
Greek Cypriot negotiator Clerides has already
presented his proposals to the UN special envoy at
the talks. Turkish Cypriot negotiator Denktash
asked for the postponement in order to have more
time to complete the Turkish proposal.
To produce this effect, the Greek Cypriots are
expected to propose a multiregional federation with
a strong central government. The Turkish Cypriot
counterproposal probably will demand a biregional
federation with a weak central government.
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VENEZUELA
Venezuela appears to have hardened
its position regarding the US Trade Re-
form Act.
An influential government official has told an
embassy officer that ending the exclusion of Ecuador
and Venezuela from benefits in the Trade Act "would
not placate Caracas' extreme displeasure" with other
"discriminatory" and "coercive" features of the act.
He cited specifically:
--The exclusion of such important "less-developed-
country" export products as textiles from the
preference system.
--The provision for a product-by-product ceiling
on imports from qualifying countries.
--Clauses prohibiting preferences to countries
that have expropriated property of US citizens
without adequate compensation or negotiations
in good faith to provide compensation.
The official also insisted that OPEC members
should not be discriminated against by the Trade
Act because all underdeveloped countries should
have the right to participate in cartels and other
arrangements in order to improve their terms of
trade.
While these comments may reflect an ?evolving
government position, they may also have been intended
to bring pressure on the US government without a
further public airing of differences. They suggest
that, unless its demands are met, the Perez govern-
ment is prepared to risk further deterioration in
relations with the US over the Trade Act.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
WESTERN EUROPE - PORTUGAL
West European officials are con-
cerned about the drift to the left in
Portugal, but are having difficulty
finding ways to support moderate forces.
The inability of the Portuguese government to
specify its aid requirements has frustrated other
European nations in their attempts to provide di-
rect bilateral aid to Lisbon. The UK has embarked
upon a modest assistance program, however, and
Norway is negotiating a technical assistance pact.
Several EC capitals have expressed interest in a
Dutch proposal to "untie" development aid to the
former Portuguese colonies, thereby allowing them
to turn to Portugal instead of the donor country
for goods and services.
The French, Danes, and Italians want to pro-
vide assistance through EC channels. EC Vice Presi-
dent Soames will visit Portugal this week to discuss
the aid situation and to publicize EC interest in
Portugal. The EC Commission, however, is reluctant
to commit the Community to long-term preferential
arrangements until the political situation in Lis-
bon stabilizes.
In response to Foreign Minister Soares' recent
call for support of democracy in Portugal, the Dutch
Socialist Party has launched a campaign to collect
funds for its Portuguese counterpart; Social Demo-
cratic and Labor parties in a number of West Euro-
pean countries have extended and may expand various
forms of direct party-to-party assistance. Moreover,
Soames' visit and that of UK Foreign Secretary Cal-
laghan last week are largely intended to provide
moral support for Portuguese moderates. In the
period prior to the elections, now called for April 12,
such visits may be the best help Europe can give.
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CAMBODIA
Prince Sihanouk has again indicated
his interest in discussing a peaceful
settlements
although he
continues to oppose negotiations with
the Lon Nol government.
Sihanouk, currently in Hanoi for the Tet holi-
days, appears to be balancing this private initia-
tive with some tough public talk. Prior to his
departure from Peking, he issued two statements--
one of which was the text of a telegram he had sent
to members of the US Congress--denouncing US in-
volvement in Cambodia. In what may have been meant
as a conciliatory: gesture, however, the prince in
his telegram said he and his supporters "do not
intend to make the US lose face."
The demand for direct' talks with Washington--
bypassing the Lon Nol government--was a standard
feature of Sihanouk's public line on a Cambodian
settlement until the summer of 1973. At that time,
he began to take a tougher line on negotiations,
presumably at the insistence of Khmer communist
leaders. His latest move almost certainly repre-
sents a unilateral initiative that does not enjoy
their blessing, but reflects the prince's recogni-
tion that his only chance of regaining a position
of real influence in Cambodia lies in negotiations.
With the war at a critical stage, Sihanouk's efforts
to promote some sort of dialogue appear to be taking
on a- new sense of urgency.
Khmer communist officials abroad reacted
sharply to Sihanouk's interview with Swedish news-
men in December, in which the prince implied a will-
ingness to accept some form of a coalition govern-
ment as a basis of a settlement.
the communists
flatly oppose a compromise settlement because it
would lead to a coalition, government involving not
only representatives of the Lon Nol side but also
"untrustworthy elements" within the insurgent
movement--a clear, reference to Sihanouk and his
non-communist supporters.
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ETHIOPIA
The US embassy believes the Eritrean
rebels may make prime targets of the fuel
and generators located at Kagnew.
The rebels fired automatic weapons and rockets
late yesterday in a show of force in Asmara. Most
of the firing appeared to be directed at Ethiopian
military facilities, but rounds were also aimed at
the US portion of the Kagnew tract, occupied by
both the US naval communications unit and the Ethio-
pian army.
The US consulate, located next to another Kag-
new tract occupied by the Ethiopian navy/ was caught
in heavy crossfire. There were no US casualties.
The insurgents probably have concluded that
the Ethiopians will attempt to use the US power
resources to restore electrical services to the
city. The embassy believes the Ethiopians, who
badly need the electricity to support their mili-
tary action against the rebels, are, in fact, con-
sidering such plans.
The Ethiopian air force resumed attacks on
rebel positions near Asmara yesterday after being
grounded for several days, probably because of fuel
shortages. There also were reports of increased
ground fighting north of the city.
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