THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 13 MAY 1976

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006015107
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 13, 1976

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The President's Daily Brief
May 13, 1976
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5B(1),(2),(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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May 13, 1976
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Table of Contents
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Lebanon: Efforts to establish a cease-fire failed again yester-
day. (Page 1)
France:
(Page 2) 25X1
Notes: Portugal; Cuba-Rhodesia-Mozambique; Thailand; Cyprus;
France-UK-Jordan (Pages 4 and 5)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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LEBANON: Efforts to
establish a cease-fire
in the mountains of
central Lebanon failed
again yesterday as
Christian forces bat-
tled for the fifth
straight day to recap-
ture leftist-held ter-
ritory. The leftists
have retaliated by
gradually escalating
the fighting in dis-
puted areas of Beirut.
The Christians have made no sig-
nificant advances in the moun-
tains and yesterday engaged in
only light artillery exchanges
with leftist militiamen. Although
they have little hope of overcom-
ing their adversaries, Christian
leaders apparently refuse to allow
Syrian-controlled Palestine Lib-
eration Army troops to enter their
territory to create a buffer zone.
a new cease-fire may
have been established late yester-
day in Tripoli, where Syrian regu-25X1
lar forces have been battling with
Iraqi-sponsored Lebanese and Pales-
tinian groups. Reinforcements
from Syria crossed into northern
Lebanon on Tuesday and may have 25X1
overwhelmed the pro-Iraqi fighters.
/The total number of Syr-
ian troops in Lebanon stands at
over 5,000 men.
On the political front, Interior
Minister Shamun added to escalat-
ing tensions in Beirut yesterday
by "speculating" that President
Franjiyah would not resign until
security is fully restored. Shamun
also issued an ominous warning of
Christian reprisals if his nephew,
who was kidnaped on April 30, is
not released unharmed.
--continued
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FRANCE:
Most Lebanese believe Shamun's
nephew has been murdered and are
afraid that the Christians may set
off a cycle of atrocities similar
to those of last December, which
plunged the country into full- 25X1
scale warfare.
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renc resi.en is
working to turn back serious chal-
lenges to his leadership at home.
His difficulties came to a head in
March when the Socialist-Communist
alliance--led by strong Socialist
gains--emerged victorious from lo-
cal elections. The left's strong
performance has raised the possi-
bility that it might gain a major-
ity in the legislative election
that must be held no later than
March 1978. All French political
activity
is now aimed
election.
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at influencing that 25X1
In addition, the President's per-
sonal popularity, according to
opinion polls, has fallen below
50 percent, and criticism of his
leadership capabilities has in-
creased. Much focuses on his han-
dling of the nation's economic
--continued
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difficulties--the worst since the
war--an issue the left is exploit-
ing.
Giscard has worked hard to turn
the economy around, and his efforts
finally appear to be having some
effect. Although inflation will
probably continue to run at about
10 percent and the trade deficit
seems destined to continue, unem-
ployment should be reduced substan-
tially, and output could be well
above the previous peak by the
time voters go to the polls in
1978.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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The Portuguese army
chief of staff, General
RamaZho Eanes, has
emerged as the clear
front-runner in the
presidential election
on June 27, following
Socialist Party leader
Mario Soares' endorse-
ment yesterday.
Cuba
Rhodesian
Mozambique.
Thailand
NOTES
Eanes is assured of the backing
of the three major democratic par-
ties as well as most of the mili-
tary, but he may yet face a stiff
challenge from left-leaning Prime
Minister Azevedo. Eanes still has
not declared himself a candidate,
but he is expected to make a for-
mal announcement by this weekend.
In announcing his endorsement of
Eanes, Soares said that the Social-
ists still intend to form a minor25X1
ity government.
--continued
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Cyprus
UN officials estimate that there
are some 7,800 Greek Cypriots left
in the north, about half the num-
ber there at the end of hostilities
in August 1974, and that the rate
of expulsion is about 300 a month.
There is no evidence of an accel-
eration in immigration from the
mainland, but
there
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are now some 20,000 mainlanders in
the north. The Turks have main-
tained that these people are either
seasonal migrant workers or Turk-
ish Cypriots who have returned
after fleeing the island prior to
1974.
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Top Secret
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