THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 5 SEPTEMBER 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976341
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: September 5, 1968

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006400040001-2
The President's Daily Brief
5 September 1968
23
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006400040001-2
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THE .PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
.5 SEPTEMBER 1968
1. Czechoslovakia The Soviets are continuing the
Soviet Union slow process of reducing their visible
presence. Soviet troops apparently
have vacated radio and television sta-
tions in Prague but still occupy sev-
eral newspaper offices. They are said
to be planning to complete their with-
drawal from the center of Prague today,
but large concentrations of armor and
troops were seen in downtown areas yes-
terday.
2. Israel
Pravda warned yesterday that So-
viet forces had to remain ?in the coun-
try, citing "counterrevolutionary" ac-
tivity as the reason.
In other Eastern European capitals,
uncertainty over Soviet intentions is
keeping tensions high. There is still
no good evidence, however, that the
Soviets are planning further military
moves.
Daily firefights continue along
the cease-fire line with Jordan. Last
week there were incidents on the pre-
viously quiet Syrian frontier. In ad-
dition, terrorist bombs exploded yes-
terday in Tel Aviv. This was the first
major incident in Tel Aviv, although
bombings occurred last month in Jerusa-
lem.
Israel probably ?is considering an-
other major reprisal strike against
some Arab state. Algeria's release of
the hijacked Israeli plane has removed
one restraint. The United Nations Se-
curity Council is now considering Is-
rael's complaint against Egypt, however,
and this may hold the Israelis back for
the moment.
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3, Philippines
4. Soviet Union
5. Soviet Union
6. Ethiopia
Marcos has now approved the main-
tenance of the Philippine Contingent
in Vietnam at a strength of 1,500 men.
In:the absence of a congressional aPpro7
priation, money will be supplied from
regular defense department funds
Marcos intends to-resubmit the appropri-
ation bill whericongress convenes again,
probably in November.
The Soviets on Sunday successfully
completed the eighth test of their
largest space capsule--the Soyuz. This
may be the final one before scheduling
another manned flight.
there was no
evidence of any attempt to rendezvous
and dock withanother spacecraft.
TheSoyuz spacecraft has not been
manned since its third flight in April
1967, when Cosmonaut Komarov was killed
on its re-entry.
The country has made its first
military purchase from the Soviet Union.
The air force will probably be getting
?two large Soviet helicopters
For some time the Soviets
have been pushing their helicopters,
with which they can compete favorably,
in the Free World.
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? .
Top Secret
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Top Secret
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EYES ONLY
1.) Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
.) North Vietnamese Reflections of U S
Political Attitudes
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16
5 September 1968
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006400040001-2
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
5 September 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
/
* * *
.Report on Truck Traffic Through Laos: Truck
traffic moving south through Mu Gia Pass was 80 percent
higher during the first eight months of 1968 than for
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the same time frame in 1967. The following table shows
comparisons:
.Average Number of
.Trucks per Day
1967
1968
January
22
25
February
34
41
March
, 16
37
:Api.il
30
52
May
16
17
June
3
19
July
0
15
:August
0
11*
?For the period 1-27 August
Another notable feature is that this year, for
the first time, traffic has continued during the mon-
soon season. The North Vietnamese have made exten-
sive road improvements during the dry season.
* * *
Flood Plan: The North Vietnamese are conducting a
post mortem on the recent floods.
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II. NORTH VIETNAMESE REFLECTIONS OF US POLITICAL
ATTITUDES ON THE WAR
There is nothing of significance to report today.
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Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006400040001-2