THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 19 NOVEMBER 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006014958
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: November 19, 1975

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The President's Daily Brief
November 19, 1975
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category, 5111(1),(2),(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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November 19, 1975
Table of Contents
Lebanon: Extremists killed passersby indiscrimi-
nately in several suburbs of Beirut yesterday,
presumably in the hope of upsetting the two-
week-old cease-fire. (Page 1)
Portugal: Continuing tensions have provoked re-
newed Communist warnings of a rightist coup,
further discussion of a plan to move the gov-
ernment to the north, and demonstrations in
the Azores protesting "anarchy" on the main-
land. (Page 2)
South Africa - Angola: South Africa has, in re-
cent weeks, considerably expanded its support
for the National Front for the Liberation of
Angola and the National Union for the Total
Independence of Angola. (Page 3)
Notes: USSR; Cambodia-Thailand (Page 5)
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LEBANON
Snipers killed passersby indiscrim-
inately in several suburbs of Beirut
yesterday. The attacks almost certainly
were carried out by extremists hoping
to upset the two-week-old cease-fire and
halt the little progress that has been
made in political negotiations.
Despite the killings, central Beirut remained
relatively calm, and the large private militias did
not allow themselves to be drawn into sustained
clashes. The deputy commander of the national gen-
darmerie, Fuad Kiwan, announced that he had been
named to head the new 300-man security force, and
that the unit would be in the streets in force to-
day.
Splinter groups on the Lebanese far left
probably were responsible for yesterday's attacks.
At least ten such organizations have been involved
in the recent fighting. They are feeling especially
belligerent now as a result of Prime Minister
Karami's offer last weekend to reach a political
compromise with the country's Christian leaders.
Representatives of most Palestinian and
Lebanese leftist groups met last night to "review
their support" for Karami, according to press re-
ports from Beirut. Kamal Jumblatt, head of the
Progressive Socialist Party and spokesman for the
leftist coalition, demanded earlier in the day that
Karami spell out the details of the reforms he is
proposing.
In a speech to parliament, Karami avoided a
direct response to Jumblatt. The Prime Minister
has limited himself for the past week to lengthy
but obscure statements designed to convince Mus-
lims that reforms are coming but to assure Chris-
tians at the same time that these reforms will in-
volve "reinterpretations rather than amendments"
of Lebanon's constitution.
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PORTUGAL
Continuing tension between the gov-
ernment and the Communist Party has pro-
voked renewed Communist warnings of a
rightist coup, further discussion of a
plan to move the government to the north,
and demonstrations in the Azores protest-
ing "anarchy" on the mainland.
The Communists apparently fabricated the coup
rumors to serve their own purposes. Two Communist-
dominated Lisbon dailies alleged yesterday that a
coup would be launched today by prominent anti-
Communist officers led by Northern Military Region
Commander Pires Veloso. The Armed Forces General
Staff has denied the story.
The popularly elected constituent assembly
continues to discuss a plan to move the government
to Porto. Broached last week when Prime Minister
Azevedo was prevented from leaving his residence
for two days by pro-Communist demonstrators, the
proposal reportedly is favored by the center-left
Popular Democrats and Socialists. The Prime Minis-
ter and others see it, however, as premature, and
at least one government official has described the
plan as unlikely to become a reality.
Demonstrations in the Azores on Monday are a
clear signal to Lisbon that there is widespread
concern in the conservative islands over recent
events on the mainland. If the turmoil in Portu-
gal remains unchecked, the move for independence
advanced by the Azorean Liberation Front could
make substantial progress.
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SOUTH AFRICA - ANGOLA
South African support of the Na-
tional Front for the Liberation of
Angola and the National Union for the
Total Independence of Angola has ex-
panded considerably in the past few
weeks, though we do not know how many
South Africans are involved in the
fighting.
Pretoria reassessed its relatively detached
position toward Angola last summer as the country
slipped toward civil war, and Soviet assistance to
the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
increased and became more open. At that time, the
Popular Movement ousted its Angolan rivals from
Luanda and began to gain a military advantage
farther south.
South African assistance has been essential
to the recent successes of the National Front and
National Union in recapturing several seaports and
pushing the Popular Movement back toward Luanda.
The South Africans are skeptical that the Front's
stalled campaign north of Luanda will be as ef-
fective.
(continued)
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Pretoria's commitment commitment is not open-ended. Prime
Minister Vorster has carefully reviewed each step
of the growing involvement before giving his approval
and at one point seriously considered withdrawing
before Angola became independent on November 11.
The South Africans finally decided to stay for the
near future, apparently because of the success of
the National Front - National Union push into central
Angola.
Vorster may also have been encouraged by the
general absence of criticism of South African in-
volvement by either black Africa or the interna-
tional community. His efforts at detente with black
Africa do not appear to have suffered.
Nevertheless, Vorster also realizes that a
withdrawal now would seriously weaken the National
Front - National Union campaign.
Vorster is concerned over the growing Soviet
and Cuban support of the Popular Movement, partic-
ularly the appearance of nearly 3,000 Cubans in
Angola and Cabinda. In a recent talk with US of-
ficials in Pretoria, he was clearly worried that
the increased Soviet and Cuban aid may tip the
balance again in favor of the Popular Movement.
If this happens, he will pull out South African
personnel on short notice
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USSR: Probable Effects of Soil Moisture on Winter Grains
\-441
I I
500
Sufficient moisture; normal development likely
ED Insufficient moisture; some reduction in development likely
Insufficient moisture; significant reduction in development like
40CS
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Region
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NOTES
This year's severe drought has left important
Soviet winter grain areas short of the soil mois-
ture required for a good crop next summer.
Persistent drought conditions have limited
germination; the seedlings that have come up are
not sturdy and hence are more vulnerable to winter-
kill. The winter crop, which usually accounts for
one third of total grain production, is critical
because grain stocks are extremely low. In an ef-
fort to recover from the 1975 harvest failure, the
Soviets have planted the largest area in winter
grain since 1970.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Ieng Sary and
Thai Foreign Minister Chatchai apparently agreed
on November 17 on the modalities for liaison of-
fices and for government-to-government trade.
Ieng Sary announced that joint liaison com-
mittees will be located in a Thai and a Cambodian
border town to maintain communications and to deal
with any problems between the two countries.
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Top Secret
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