THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 23 MAY 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006014805
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 23, 1975

17.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
6
The President's Daily Brief
May 23, 1975
TO
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5B( I
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
r'N ? '111
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15: CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
May 23, 1975
Table of Contents
Laos: The planned anti-American rally in Vientiane
ended this morning without major disturbances.
(Page 1)
Portugal: Military leaders, apparently concerned
about the deteriorating political situation,
issued a conciliatory statement early today.
(Page 3)
Notes: USSR
China-Cambodia.
25X1
; USSR ; Czechoslovakia; 25X1
(Pages 5 an'
FOR
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
The anti-American rally at Vien-
tiane's stadium ended without incident
this morning. Communist Deputy Prime
Minister Phoumi Vongvichit told the less-
than-capacity crowd that negotiations
with the US embassy had resulted in agree-
ment to close down AID offices in the
provinces, and that talks are under way
to dissolve the AID organization in Vien-
tiane. The overall tone of Phoumi's
speech was moderate. One lesser speaker
indulged in fiery anti-American oratory
but failed to excite his audience.
Yesterday, Phoumi told the US charge that the
anti-American disturbances in Vientiane would be
"easily resolved" if Washington would agree "in
principle" to negotiate the dissolution of AID in
Laos and the revision of the 1951 economic assis-
tance agreement.
The number of demonstrators occupying the main
AID and defense attache compound has dwindled from
300 to about 30. The AID warehouse on the northern
outskirts of Vientiane is occupied by a small num-
ber of communist troops and student demonstrators.
Armed communist soldiers entered two other AID ware-
houses in the capital yesterday, and, at last re-
port, continue to occupy one of them.
Communist members of the capital's joint mili-
tary security force blocked traffic entering and
leaving the largest American residential housing
compound in the northern suburbs of Vientiane. The
compound houses some 143 families.
(continued)
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15: CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15: CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Broadcasts over the Lao national radio--now
largely controlled by communists--took on an inflam-
matory anti-American tone yesterday. One broadcast
reported that the withdrawal of police protection
for all Americans was imminent, and another threat-
ened the life of a senior US official.
The coalition government yesterday granted the
US embassy permission to evacuate Americans who had
been under house arrest in Savannakhet since May 14.
They were flown to Udorn, Thailand. Now, the 900
or so Americans left in Laos are all in Vientiane.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15: CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
PORTUGAL
The ruling Revolutionary Council,
apparently concerned about the deteri-
orating political situation, called
early today for national unity and said
it would never permit a dictatorship.
The Council appealed to all political
parties to cooperate in view of the
country's worsening economic situation.
The Council's pronouncement followed a day of
tense political activities:
--Socialist leader Mario Soares in a press
conference strongly criticized the Communist
Party and the Armed Forces Movement and said
his party would boycott government meetings
until the Socialist newspaper is returned,
until press freedom is restored, and until
union and municipal elections are permitted.
--Tens of thousands of Socialist demonstrators
attended rallies in Lisbon and several other
cities in support of Soares.
--The Communists accused the Socialists of
threatening the Portuguese system with their
boycott.
The conciliatory nature of the Council's state-
ment contrasts with its stand in recent days. The
Armed Forces Movement yesterday took what could be
the first step toward removing President Costa
Gomes because of his sympathies for the Socialists.
The military retirement age was lowered to 60;
Costa Gomes is 62.
The man most frequently mentioned as a succes-
sor to Costa Gomes, Admiral Rosa Coutinho, has been
tapped to accompany Prime Minister Goncalves and
Foreign Minister Antunes to the NATO summit. Am-
bassador Carlucci learned of his inclusion in the
Portuguese delegation from Goncalves during a dis-
cussion of issues that might come up at the summit.
(continued)
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Goncalves reaffirmed Portugal's intention to
remain in NATO. He said Portugal's foreign policy
is not designed to upset existing arrangements, al-
though his government favors a relaxation of ten-
sions between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
On a matter more critical to the Portuguese,
Goncalves asked Ambassador Carlucci if the US could
intercede with President Mobutu of Zaire. He said
Mobutu had broken his promise not to involve himself
in Angola and was sending men and equipment to one
of the liberation groups contending for power.
The Soviets continue to advise the Portuguese
Communist Party to work closely with the Armed
Forces Movement.
who met with the entire Politburo of the
Portuguese Communist Party in late April, has re-
portedly stated that all "progressive" and commu-
nist groups should do everything in their power to
strengthen the position of the Movement.
"rightist
army elements" returning from Angola in November
could create a dangerous turning point in the Por-
tuguese situation.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15: CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Kiev Carrier
r.
557941 5-75
?
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
(continued)
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Czechoslovaki& will probably have a new presi-
dent next week.
Prague announced yesterday that the party Cen-
tral Committee will meet on Tuesday and that a spe-
cial session of the parliament will follow on Wednes-
day. These tandem events indicate that the re-
gime has finally decided to retire General Ludvik
Svoboda, the aged and long ailing President. We
believe that party boss Gustav Husak will be
"elected" to the presidency and that he will remain
in the top party post. He may, however, hold both
jobs only until the party congress next spring.
The change in presidents will not bring any change
in Czechoslovak policy toward the US.
6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1
Declassified in Part---Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00436A612600010042-1
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012600010042-1