THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 30 APRIL 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006014785
• 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 30, 1975

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
The President's Daily Brief
;
/
April 30, 1975
5
0 25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category, 58( 1
declassified only on a0Pfovol of
the Director of Central Intelligence
?
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
April 30, 1975
Table: of - Contents
South Vietnam: President Minh surrendered Saigon
unconditionally this morning. (Page 1)
Egypt-Israel:
(Page 2)
Portugal: Socialist Party leader Soares appears to
have taken the first step in a post-election
challenge to the Communist Party and the ruling
Armed Forces Movement. (Page 3)
Notes: Cambodia; USSR; Poland (Pages 5 and 6)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SOUTH VIETNAM
The flag of the Viet Cong's Pro-
visional Revolutionary Government was
hoisted over the presidential palace at
12:15 today Saigon time, marking the
end of over 30 years of war in Vietnam.
North Vietnamese troops and tanks entered the
heart of Saigon less than two hours after President
Duong Van Minh announced the unconditional surrender
of his government. Minh asked that Viet Cong repre-
sentatives meet him to arrange an orderly transfer
of power, stating that "I am waiting to hand over
full administrative power to you." At last report,
Minh was seen leaving the palace accompanied by
communist troops.
President Minh's brief address to the nation
over Saigon radio was followed by an order from the
South Vietnamese joint general staff telling all
members of the armed forces to observe the Presi-
dent's order and "be ready to make contacts with
PRG forces to carry out a bloodless cease-fire."
South Vietnamese troops were pulled out of defensive
positions in and around the city and marched to
central points to turn in their weapons.
Immediately after the US evacuation was com-
pleted in the morning, the US embassy and consular
office were looted by South Vietnamese mobs. Fol-
lowing the occupation of the city by North Vietnam-
ese troops, order has largely been restored. Spor-
adic shooting was reported in parts of Saigon during
the day, but there are no indications of any signi-
ficant resistance from government forces.
There is no news from the southern delta. As
of this morning, South Vietnamese units in that
area were still intact.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EGYPT?ISRAEL
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
PORTUGAL
Socialist Party leader Mario Soares
appears to have taken a first step in a
post-election challenge to the Communist
Party and the ruling Armed Forces Movement.
In an interview with a Lisbon newspaper on
Monday, Soares described the results of
last week's election as an "immense defeat"
for the Communists.
Soares derided the Communists for obtaining
such a small vote after a well-financed and con-
certed election effort and implied that the Commu-
nists had exploited key positions in the government
and the media to advance their campaign. The So-
cialist leader indirectly criticized the Armed
Forces Movement by warning against efforts to de-
velop a brand of socialism that would isolate the
country internationally and offer no immediate
prospects of improved living standards.
Soares called for municipal elections to re-
place local leftist officials who assumed their
posts after the coup a year ago. The Movement has
ignored appeals from the moderate parties that these
officials be selected through free elections.
Soares' criticisms are a departure from the
conciliatory stand he adopted immediately after the
election. At that time he publicly stated that the
Socialists would not seek government changes and
would continue to support a platform that would
guarantee military control of the government. His
shift in tactics may be a reaction to efforts by
both the Movement and the Communists to portray the
moderates' election victory as a success for the
parties of the left and an endorsement of the Move-
ment's policies.
Soares may also have been influenced by the
runner-up Popular Democratic Party, which has crit-
icized statements by the Communists and the media
aimed at playing down or distorting election results.
The Popular Democrats maintain that Portuguese voters
made a clear choice for a democratic form of social-
ism.
(continued)
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
The Socialists face a difficult task in trying
to capitalize on their election victory. They want
to press their advantage sufficiently to obtain
some concrete results from their strong showing.
In an effort to reduce communist and radical influ-
ence in the government, they are likely to make
common cause with moderate officers in the Armed
Forces Movement. At the same time, the Socialists
want to avoid the appearance of pushing too hard,
fearing that they would thereby alienate the still
dominant radical officers.
Soviet reporting and commentary on the Portu-
guese election so far have been candid about the
poor showing of the Communists, raising the possi-
bility that Moscow is not altogether displeased
with the outcome of the election. The Soviets may
calculate that the relative lack of electoral sup-
port for the Portuguese Communist Party will make
it more amenable to Soviet influence. The Soviets
also may see the election results as evidence of
the local party's wisdom in associating itself
closely with the Armed Forces Movement, which re-
mains the locus of power in Portugal.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
The new authorities in
Cambodia plan to deport those
foreigners now confined in
the French embassy compound
in Phnom Penh--over 600 at
last count--by way of the
town of Poipet on the Thai
border.
the
foreigners will be sent out
by road in increments begin-
ning on April 30; the total
evacuation could take 15 to
20 days. The French have
arranged with the Thai gov-
ernment and the Red Cross for
Cambodia
medical treatment and onward
Pursa
Kompong Chhnang
transportation for the evac 100
-
uees once they cross the bor-
der. Upon the completion of
the evacuation, the French
plan to close their mission
in Phnom Penh. Paris has
already expressed its willingness, however, to
establish ties with the new regime in Phnom Penh
and will presumably try to reopen its embassy as
soon as possible.
(continued)
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
25X1
Polish Communist Party leader Gierek is moving
rapidly to launch a sweeping reorganization of party
and government bureaucracies.
Gierek is evidently convinced that the success
of his plans for economic development--on which his
tenure rests--depends on a major structural reform
that will tighten central control at the expense of
the powerful regional administrations.
25X1
25X1
25X1
6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3
-
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010022-3