THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 1 DECEMBER 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006014968
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: December 1, 1975

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The President's Daily Brief
December 1, 1975
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Exempt from general
declassification sshedule of E.O. I 1652
exemption category 5B( I )(2M3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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December 1, 1975
Table of Contents
Israel: The cabinet has announced that it will have
nothing to do with the proposed Security Coun-
cil debate on the Middle East in January.
(Page 1)
India: The cabinet shuffle on Sunday does not sig-
nificantly alter the ideological complexion
of the government, nor does it appear to have
any connection with New Delhi's present foreign
policy concerns. (Page 3)
Notes: USSR (Brezhnev); Spain; India-Bangladesh;
New Zealand; Laos; Nepal 25X1
(Pages 4, 5, and 6)
(This Brief, with information as of 1:00 P.M. EST,
was cabled on this date to the President in
Asia.)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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ISRAEL
The cabinet, meeting in special
session today, has announced that it
will have nothing to do with the pro-
posed Security Council debate on the
Middle East in January. Although the
cabinet said Israel will adhere to the
disengagement agreement on the Gol,an
Heights, it rejected the Security
Council's linkage of the UN mandate
renewal to broader political issues.
The cabinet further noted that Israel consid-
ers the Security Council decision to debate the
Palestinian question as a move that is likely to
hinder progress toward peace. It reaffirmed Is-
rael's determination not to negotiate with the Pal-
estine Liberation Organization or to attend the
Geneva conference if the PLO is invited.
The cabinet did not close the door to further
negotiations with Syria as a result of the Security
Council resolution, but noted that as a result of
the resolution "discussions" have been authorized
on the establishment of new Israeli settlements in
the Golan Heights. The government heretofore has
refused to act on applications for new settlements
in order not to jeopardize any future peace nego-
tiations.
The cabinet statement avoided criticism of the
US, and most press commentary has not directly con-
demned Washington for approving that part of the
resolution calling for a debate on the Middle East
question. Nonetheless, the Israelis' reporting of
the US vote on the resolution is played in such a
way as to associate the US obliquely with a deci-
sion they regard as unacceptable. A radio broad-
cast this morning, for instance, reported that
despite reservations the US voted in favor of a
"resolution proposed by the Arabs' friends in the
Security Council." The broadcast quoted Secretary
Kissinger as expressing great relief that the res-
olution had passed, implying his support for all
elements of the Council's decisions.
(continued)
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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The Israelis seem to be deliberately ignoring
the fine points of the Security Council action, such
as the distinction between the resolution itself
and the separate statement of understanding regard-
ing PLO participation in the debate. They read both
documents as a single package that will have the net
effect of placing Israel under pressure to recognize
and negotiate with the PLO. Their initial comments
suggest the Israelis are prepared to believe the US
will be a party to this pressure.
The cabinet debate apparently did provoke a
recommendation from some ministers that Israel re-
vise its position on the Palestinian question, but
in the end any such accommodation was rejected, at
least for the present. According to Jerusalem radio
reports, five ministers proposed that the government
announce that Israel would negotiate with any Pales-
tinian element that recognized Israel's existence.
This is a position the Israeli government has con-
sistently rejected.
Syria, the PLO, and Egypt have predictably is-
sued statements expressing satisfaction with the
Security Council resolution.
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INDIA
The cabinet shuffle on Sunday does
not significantly alter the ideological
complexion of the government, nor does
it appear to have any connection with
New Delhi's present foreign policy con-
cerns.
The shakeup comes on the eve of an important
Congress Party session, however, and may be part of
a general housecleaning by Prime Minister Gandhi.
Last week she forced the resignation of the Congress
Party chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The cabinet
change removes two important members of the govern-
ment--Minister of Defense Swaran Singh and Minister
of Shipping and Transport Uma Shankar Dikshit--as
well as two lesser known ministers of state. Singh
may have irritated the Prime Minister with his al-
leged criticism of her decision to impose a state
of emergency last June.
The two new cabinet ministers are Bansi Lal,
who becomes Minister without Portfolio, and Gurdial
Singh Dhillon, who takes over the Shipping and Trans-
portation Ministry. Both men have been close to
Gandhi, particularly in the months since the emer-
gency was proclaimed. Gandhi, at least temporarily,
will take over the Defense Ministry.
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NOTES
Nothing unusual was revealed in the first public
report of the Soviet Central Committee meeting on
December 1.
The committee announced that General Secretary
Brezhnev will deliver the main report at the Party
Congress which opens February 24. Premier Kosygin
will speak on the economy. Brezhnev spoke at the
plenum, but the text of this speech probably will
not be made public. Next year's economic plan and
budget were approved; they will also be taken up at
the session of the Supreme Soviet--the USSR's legis-
lature--which opens December 2.
Spanish Communist Party leader Santiago Car-
rillo may soon test the government's political tol-
erance.
He announced his intention Sunday of returning
to Spain legally or illegally from his exile in
Paris. Aside from his party position, some of his
recently published statements will make it difficult
for the government to permit his return. Carrillo
has criticized King Juan Carlos as "Franco's king,"
and has said he may call for demonstrations against
the limited pardons granted last week.
(continued)
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The scheduled visit to India early this week
of a high-level Bengalee delegation to discuss means
of improving relations will be delayed for at least
a week.
The meeting was proposed by Bangladesh Presi-
dent Sayem following last week's attack on the In-
dian High Commissioner in Dacca. The proposal to
send a high-level delegation to New Delhi has met
resistance in Dacca, where some officials view the
proposal as a sign of weakness. The Indian govern-
ment also is skeptical about the visit and wants to
exclude from the delegation anyone New Delhi regards
as anti-Indian. A meeting of Bangladesh and Indian
border commanders is scheduled for December 2 in
Calcutta.
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The New Zealand National Party victory in
Saturday's election should improve Wellington's
ties with the US.
Prime minister-elect Muldoon will probably
drop the Labor government's ban on port calls by
nuclear-powered warships and its proposal for a
South Pacific zone closed to vessels carrying nu-
clear arms. Muldoon sees both of these as bars to
full military cooperation with the US. The margin
of the National Party victory surprised even party
stalwarts. Its 19-seat majority in the 87-seat
parliament could increase as close contests are de-
cided. The new government will probably assume of-
fice on December 12.
(continued)
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The Lao Foreign Ministry today announced the
end of the coalition government.
Representatives of non-communist governments
in Vientiane were told that the coalition had
served its purpose and was being changed to con-
form to the "people's wishes" and the "present
situation." A Foreign Ministry spokesman stated
that a new government would be formed shortly and
confirmed that Prince Souvanna Phouma and King Sa-
yang had been informed of this decision. Both are
expected to announce their resignations shortly.
Nepalese King Birendra appointed a new prime
minister and made other cabinet changes on Decem-
ber 1.
The appointments may be another indication that
the King is moving to reassert firm control over the
government. In recent months he has cracked down on
students, the press, and dissident elements.
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Top Secret
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