THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 8 MARCH 1976

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006015049
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 8, 1976

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The President's Daily Brief
March 8, 1976
2
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Exempt from general
decla.ification schedule of E.O. I 1652"
exemption category 5B(1)d2)131
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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T'Pl T1 1-"rTIT T, MTN TXTP-T, MTT X7
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March 8, 1976
Table of Contents
Western Sahara: Morocco and Mauritania severed dip-
lomatic relations with Algeria yesterday after
Algiers announced its recognition of the Saharan
Democratic Republic. (Page 1)
Western Europe - Cuba: Some West European govern-
ments are under growing domestic pressure to
reduce their modest development aid programs
to the Castro regime. (Page 2)
Spain: This is likely to be a turbulent week in
Spain. (Page 3)
Notes: USSR; Japan-Australia; Cuba-Yugoslavia
(Pages 4 and 5)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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WESTERN SAHARA
Morocco and Mauritania severed diplo-
matic relations with Algeria yesterday
after Algiers announced its recognition
of the Saharan Democratic Republic, pro-
claimed on February 27 by the Algerian-
backed Polisario Front. Rabat has con-
demned the so-called republic as an Al-
gerian creation.
In announcing its recognition of the Saharan
"state," Algiers again pledged to give the Polisario
Front full political, moral, and material support in
the struggle for self-determination. Only Algeria,
the Malagasy Republic, and Burundi have so far rec-
ognized the new "state," which is, in effect, a gov-
ernment in exile.
Egyptian President Sadat, in a statement re-
leased yesterday, urged restraint on both Morocco
and Algeria and cautioned against taking steps that
would "complicate the situation." Sadat's remarks
suggest Cairo is prepared to resume its mediatory
role if the parties are receptive.
1
_ FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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WESTERN EUROPE - CUBA
The relations of West European na-
tions with Cuba have not been particu-
larly affected by Havana's involvement
in Angola. Some governments, however,
are under growing domestic pressure to
reduce their modest development aid pro-
grams to the Castro regime.
The largest West European countries, with the
exception of West Germany, have had diplomatic rela-
tions with Havana for a decade or more. None of
them wants to take action that might affect adversely
its share of the Cuban market.
West Germany, which resumed diplomatic rela-
tions with Cuba only last year, has announced the
cancellation of a planned aid program. This deci-
sion resulted partly from criticism by opposition
parties.
Other governments will honor existing commit-
ments. The Social Democratic government in Sweden,
the largest donor in Western Europe, is under pres-
sure to reduce its assistance but will make every
effort to continue aid. Prime Minister Palme is
sufficiently concerned about political backlash, how-
ever, that he has asked Castro to postpone his trip
to Sweden until after the national election there in
September.
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SPAIN
This is likely to be a turbulent
week in Spain. Leftists have called a
general strike in the Basque region, and
a politically sensitive court-martial
opens in Madrid today.
The general strike in the four Basque provinces
has been called by various clandestine labor organi-
zations, including the Communist-dominated workers'
commissions, to protest the deaths of four workers
killed by police during the demonstrations last
week. Organizers of the strike predicted yesterday
that it will be the biggest since the Civil War and
that economic activity in many parts of the indus-
trialized north will be at a standstill all week.
The strikes may provoke more violence. Small
extremist groups have infiltrated some Basque labor
groups. These extremists were probably the main
instigators of the violence last week.
Interior Minister Fraga, who toured the Basque
region yesterday, warned that the government will
not tolerate "anarchistic attempts" to derail its
reform program.
In Madrid, ten officers go on trial today.
They were arrested last summer for membership in a
clandestine group called the Democratic Military
Union. The group, which is reported to have be-
tween 300 and 400 members and some 1,000 sympa-
thizers, advocates political reforms and reorgan-
ization of the armed forces.
A harsh verdict against the ten could further
politicize younger officers who favor some degree
of democratization in Spain, while a lenient sen-
tence would outrage hard-line Francoist officers.
The government has tried to discourage report-
ing about the court-martial, claiming that it is
strictly a military matter. Oppositionists have
vowed to publicize the affair and, over the week-
end, the clandestine Communist radio has been
broadcasting declarations of solidarity with the
ten officers.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Morocco
WESTERN
SA ARA
3 Mauritania
Algeria
Upper
olta
Togo
anal
Liberia,
-
Cameroon
0
Gulf of Guinea
Central African
? Republic
Ethiopia
Kenya
zzaville
Zaire Rwanda
Kinshasa
Burundi
Tanzania
Somalia
. .
*Mogadiscio
Oar es Salaam
Atlantic Ocean
Angola
Coetivy Is.
Corners Is..
South-West
Africa
Walvis Bay 3 *
(S. AL) IWindhoek
0 500 top() Miles
0 500 10.00 Kilometers
554414 3-76
Botswana
Malagasy Mauritius
Mozambique Republic Meusia ?
(Fr.)
Swaziland
Lesotho
South Afrz
Maputo
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NOTES
The Soviets are replacing some of their naval
ships off West Africa, but are not reducing the
size of the force.
The Soviet naval force in the area has stabi-
lized at a level higher than that maintained prior
to the war in Angola, and the operating area has
been extended to include the Gulf of Guinea as well
as the waters off Conakry. When the rotation is
complete, the Soviets will have a cruiser, a de-
stroyer, a landing ship, and an oiler operating in
West African waters.
Off the east coast, the Soviets have four ships
at anchor near Coetivy Island in the Indian Ocean--a
destroyer, a landing ship, an oiler, and a support
ship.
Japanese-Australian relations seem likely to
improve following a relatively abrasive period
caused by the economic recession and the policies
of the former WhitZam government.
Although Tokyo is still somewhat cautious,
the recent visit by Australian Deputy Prime Minis-
ter Anthony clearly indicated to Japanese leaders
that the Fraser government wishes to encourage a
Japanese economic role in Australia, particularly
in the development of natural resources. Trade
problems will remain but should diminish in inten-
sity. Japan is Australia's largest trading partner.
(continued)
4
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Cuban Prime Minister Castro and Yugoslav Pres-
ident Tito met at Tito's Adriatic island retreat
over the weekend. The Yugoslav leader, in his pub-
lic toast at a dinner honoring Castro on Saturday
night, lauded "the army and the people of Angola"
for defeating "imperialist and racist forces."
Tito said Angola must be able to determine its
domestic policies and to pursue "an independent and
nonaligned foreign policy." Contrary to some West-
ern press reports, he made only a parenthetical
reference to Cuba's "rich contribution" to the Peo-
ple's Republic of Angola. Castro is expected to
move on to Bulgaria today en route home from the
Soviet party congress. Tito leaves Yugoslavia on
Wednesday for a tour of Mexico, Panama, and Ven-
ezuela.
5
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Top Secret
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