THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 31 MAY 1976

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006015123
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 31, 1976

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The President's Daily Brief
May 3 I , 1976
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of ED. 11652
exemption category 513(1),(2),(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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_ . -
May 31, 1976
Table of Contents
Lebanon: Fighting increased over the weekend and
is threatening the limited progress that presi-
dent-elect Sarkis has been making in arranging
talks among the warring factions. (Page 1)
Portugal: The presidential campaign is likely to
be primarily a personality contest between Prime
Minister Azevedo and Army Chief of Staff Eanes.
(Page 1)
Notes: Thailand; UK-Iceland; Ethiopia-China
(Page 3 and 4)
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LEBANON: Fighting in-
creased in Beirut and
in northern Lebanon
over the weekend, and
is threatening the Zim-
ited progress that pres-
ident-elect Sarkis has
been making in arranging
"roundtable" talks among
leaders of the warring
factions.
PORTUGAL: Four candi-
dates of national stat-
ure met the filing dead-
line on Friday for Por-
tugaZ's presidential
election on June 27. A
fifth candidate, repre-
senting the interests of
the many Portuguese who
have returned from the
coZonies, joined the
other contenders at the
last moment. The cam-
paign still is likely
to be primarily a per-
sonality contest between
Prime Minister Azevedo
and Army Chief of Staff
Eanes.
Rebel Muslim army units in the
north have mounted heavy attacks
on two Christian villages close
to the Syrian border. Christian
forces have countered with an
attack on a Sunni Muslim village
south of Tripoli. Christian ex-
tremists and fedayeen also have
been fighting near Beirut.
The increased fighting does not
appear to have resulted directly
from the recent attack on Chris-
tian leader Raymond Edde or the
murder of the sister of leftist
leader Kamal Jumblatt. There are
widespread fears in Beirut, how-
ever, that a wave of political
assassinations may be imminent.
President-elect Sarkis is continu-
ing to consult with leaders of
all the major factions, but appar-
ently he has been unable to reach
an agreement on any important issue.
His meeting with Jumblatt reportedly
will be held this week.
Eanes is the early favorite be-
cause of the endorsements he has
garnered from the three major
political parties--the Socialists,
the centrist Popular Democrats,
and the conservative Social Dem-
ocratic Center--as well as from
two groups on the far left. He
is also counting on support from
a major portion of the military.
Prime Minister Azevedo is widely
credited with defeating Communist-
backed bids for power last year.
Although he is not supported by
any party organization, Azevedo
hopes to capitalize on Eanes'
--continued
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seeming inability to establish
rapport with crowds and on his
own reputation in rural areas.
In statements earlier this week,
Azevedo took a harder position
than his opponent against admitt-
ing Communists into his Government.
Eanes said this week that, while
the Communists could not enter
the government now, they might be
able to do so later on.
Azevedo is apparently trying to
identify himself with the US and
the NATO alliance. Eanes is giv-
ing less than whole-hearted sup-
port to NATO, insisting that Por-
tugal will remain a loyal ally but
expressing his belief that both
military blocs should disappear.
Of the minor candidates, former
security chief Otelo de Carvalho
is expected to appeal primarily
to the far left, which represents
no more than 5 percent of the
voters.
The Communist Party candidate,
Octavio Pato is not in the race
to win but to serve as a bargaining
chip with which the Communists hope
to gain a position in the new govern-
ment.
If no candidate receives an abso-
lute majority, a runoff must be
held within three weeks.
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Thailand
UK Foreign Secretary
Crosland and Icelandic
Foreign Minister Agusts-
son will meet in Oslo
today to begin negotia-
tions designed to end
the "Cod War."
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The talks were made possible when
London accepted the Icelandic pre-
condition that British frigates
leave Icelandic waters. As an-
other gesture of good will, London
reportedly has ordered British
trawlers to cease fishing while
the talks are taking place.
The two sides reportedly will nego-
tiate a six-month interim agreement
that will permit 24 British traw-
lers to operate within Iceland's
unilaterally-proclaimed 200-mile
zone and to fish within 20-30
miles of the Icelandic coast. The
British and Icelanders differ on
other issues that may not be re-
solved or even discussed during
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the talks in Oslo, and it is un-
clear what will happen when the
interim agreement expires on Decem-
ber 1. 25X1 25X1
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SOVIET
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Top Secret
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