THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 10 MARCH 1976

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006015051
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 10, 1976

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
The President's Daily Brief
March 10, 1976
2
_Tot_stere_t_ 25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category, 5B( 1 ),1 21(3 )
declassified onlY on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
March 10, 1976
Table of Contents
Lebanon: Emergency sessions of the cabinet and par-
liament were called yesterday to discuss ways
to end the occupation by Muslim army deserters
of two military installations close to the Is-
raeli border. (Page 1)
USSR: Moscow is playing down your decision to
avoid the word "detente" and is focusing in-
stead on statements supporting "relaxed inter-
national tension." (Page 2)
Southern Africa:
25X1
25X1
(Page 3) 25X1
USSR-Algeria-Morocco: Moscow reportedly continues
to support self-determination for Western Sa-
hara but wants Algeria to find a peaceful set-
tlement to the dispute. (Page 5)
Notes: USSR; Somalia-FTAI; Mexico (Pages 6 and 7)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016707/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
LEBANON
The cabinet and parliament were
called into emergency sessions yester-
day to discuss ways to end the occupa-
tion by Muslim army deserters of two
military installations close to the Is-
raeli border.
Christian and Muslim leaders are united in
their concern that the deserters may spark an inci-
dent with Israel, but seem hopelessly divided over
how to deal with the mutiny. If it continues for
any length of time, it could trigger similar up-
risings by Christian soldiers and ultimately draw
Syrian-controlled Palestinian troops into direct
clashes with Christian forces.
Damascus is worried that the mutineers' action
will encourage further defections, but is still re-
luctant to face the problem. Both Syria and the
Palestinians see certain advantages in the muti-
neers' challenge to Christian control of the Leba-
nese army, but have been unable to control the
leader of the revolt. Ultimately, the Syrians hope
to reorganize the Lebanese army in a way that will
diminish Christian control.
Syrian Foreign Minister Khaddam returned to
Beirut yesterday, but he will have little chance
to resume negotiations on the formation of a new
cabinet until the issue of the mutineers is re-
solved.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
USSR
Moscow is playing down your decision
to avoid the word "detente" and is focus-
ing instead on administration statements
that support "relaxed international ten-
sion."
Moscow's initial reaction to your statement on
"detente" was in a broadcast to North America on
March 2 in which the commentator mused that the "un-
familiar" word "detente" had been abused and finally
"turned inside out."
Most recently, Soviet commentators have noted
that "some" Americans hold that "detente" is an ambig-
uous term and were moving to strike it from the po-
litical dictionary. You and Secretary Kissinger
were not linked with this development, but were
praised for testifying to the "immutable" course
of improving US-Soviet relations.
Soviet listeners were informed that you were
avoiding the term "detente" when Moscow yesterday
broadcast an account of Secretary Kissinger's in-
terview with US News and World Report.
The Soviets noted the Secretary's assurances
that no policy change is involved, and his remark
that the administration sees no sensible alternative
to building more stable relations with the USSR.
They also reported his stress on the need for a new
SALT agreement (a theme the Soviets themselves are
emphasizing) and his assessment that US policy to-
ward the USSR since 1969 has been successful.
Soviet commentaries do contain some somber
overtones. For example, Moscow quoted Secretary
Kissinger's statement that the US is dealing with
an "irreconcilable ideology" and that the Soviet
Union will not abandon support for national libera-
tion movements in the name of friendly relations.
An earlier Soviet commentary also referred to
"certain US circles" which were bent on replacing
"detente" with "power politics."
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
NAMIBIA
(SOUTH-WEST AFRICA)
.Mocamedes
ANGOLA
Zambezi
-RHODESIA
.Bulawayo
N-lakgatlikgadi
BOTSWANA
NIOZ DIODE
Gaborone
?Pretoria
Johannesburg ?
7aputu
/1L?
baba ie
'do
SWAZILAND
South
Atlantic
Ocean
?
Bloemfontein
SOUTH
AFRICA
Maseru
LESOTHO
Cape Town'
!Port Elizabeth r
Indian 0? .an
559432 3-76
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized -dO'piAl7PT?o-v-ed for Release ?2016767/19 CI-A--RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
SOUTHERN AFRICA
(continued)
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitizd-CO'pyWpWo7ed--io7 Release 2616/07/1-9 -6TA:-R-DP79T00936A013200010016-3
Zaire and Zambia
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized EOPy-AiVrOV?edlo-r.:keie-a-;-e-2-01-670771-9-: -CiA:RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
USSR-ALGERIA-MOROCCO
Moscow
continues to support self-determination
for Western Sahara but wants Algeria to
find a peaceful settlement to the dis-
pute.
In line with this advice, Moscow has handled
cautiously the proclamation of the "Saharan Demo-
cratic Arab Republic" by the Algerian-backed Poli-
sario guerrillas. The Soviets have publicly noted
the declaration, but their media have also reported
Moroccan opposition to the move. I
/Perhaps in pique, Algeria summoned
home its ambassador to the USSR before the Soviet
party congress. In addition, its delegate to the
congress returned to Algiers to consult Boumediene
before conferring with Soviet leaders.
Moroccan Prime Minister Osman, on the other
hand, has told US officials that he was pleased by
his discussions with Kosygin last month in Moscow.
Kosygin evidently told Osman that Boumediene is out
on a limb and that a way should be found to take
him off it without embarrassment.
Moscow would probably like to continue to
avoid choosing sides in the conflict. The USSR
might support the Algerian position more strongly,
however, if--despite Soviet desires--the Western
Sahara situation deteriorates into a shooting war.
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
WEST N
SA RA
Mauritania
negal
Gambia
Guinea
BissaU
Conakry
uine
Sler
Leone
Llbe
Ivory
Coast
Algiers
Algeria
Mali
Atlantic Ocean
Upper
olta
Benin
Togo
anai
4fe
Tu
sla
Niger
Gulf of Guinea
0 590 lope mites
O 560 1000 Kilometers
a
Sea
Libya
Cameroon
Gabon
Chad
,
Egypt
Sudan
CA
Central African
Republic
Congo
zzaville
Zaire Rwanda
Kinshasa
Angola
U anda
?B rundi
Kenya
Mogadiscia
Coe t.ivy is.
Tanzania Dar no Salaam
LIndian Ocean
Comoro Is.
South-West
Africa
(Namibia)
Walvis Bay *
(s. AL) iWiodhoek
ri
Mc ambigua IVIalagasy
Rep imcPort Louis
Mauritil
??)
Swaziland
Qs
South Africa
tho
agate
55943Y 3-76
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
7-'/-1 T1 t-7"7 T, TIT1 TOTTNT7 Tt-T"' !NJ\ T T -X 7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
NOTES
The Soviet naval group in the Indian Ocean--
composed of a destroyer, a landing ship, a support
ship, and an oiler?is moving south from its an-
chorage near Coetivy Island.
The contingent may be planning a port call at
Port Louis in Mauritius, which will celebrate its
independence day on Friday.
On the other side of Africa, a Soviet F-class
torpedo attack submarine--probably from the Medi-
terranean--has entered the port at Conakry. This
is the second time this year that a Soviet subma-
rine has visited Conakry; a J-class submarine was
there briefly at the end of February. A Soviet
Kresta-class cruiser and a landing ship are now
there, too, and a destroyer and a merchant oiler
are in the Gulf of Guinea.
Somali President Siad reiterated his commit-
ment to self-determination for the French Territory
of the Afars and the Issas in the course of his
speech earlier this month at the 25th Soviet party
congress in Moscow.
We believe that Siad's goal is the complete
and immediate withdrawal of French forces and the
replacement of the present head of the territorial
council, who is Paris' choice for future leadership,
by a pro-Somali official. The incorporation of the
territory into Somalia also is a near-term objective
of Siad's.
Siad most likely used his trip to the congress
to solicit Moscow's support for his policies in the
Horn of Africa and to convince the Soviets of his
need for military hardware. In the past, Moscow
reportedly has cautioned Siad to do nothing rash,
but rather to rely on political pressure and sub-
version to achieve his ends.
(continued)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
TED STATES
MEXICO P
Northern opium poppy
growing area
300
MILE S
GULF OF MEXICO
PACIFIC OCEAN
oo.
t^-
1is.4 4
559423 3-76
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
nn fl 'T'T T 77 T 1 T1 I"' T 1,7k T?D nx-ry
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Mexican
seizure of illicit drugs.
7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010016-3