THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 22 MAY 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976160
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: May 22, 1968

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The President's Daily Brief
---Top---Serzs_L2 2 May 1968
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THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
22 MAY 1968
1. Frande
In the face of growing protests
throughout the country, De Gaulle is
sticking to his guns. He apparently
does not plan, at least for now, to
replace those cabinet ministers who
are being roundly criticized for their
handling of student and labor unrest.
Gaullist leaders in the National
Assembly are confident that the Pompi-
dou cabinet will survive the censure
motion being voted on today or tomor-
row.
There is speculation that De Gaulle
may be thinking of putting his money
where his mouth is by calling a popu-
lar referendum. He would certainly
think twice about this, however, given
the demonstrated depth of opposition
to his economic and social policies.
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government, confronted with the unfore-
seen events of recent weeks, is punchy
and no longer acting as a government.
All depends on De Gaulle. He can save
the situation, but some believe that
he is better at handling the generals'
revolt, acting against American hege-
mony, and preaching nationalism in Bu-
charest than he is at proposing a new
social contract to the nation's workers.
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2, Panama
3. Haiti
4, Argentina
5. South Korea
Some circles in the National Guard
are bitter over the probable victory of
Arias.
The situation is still murky, but
it appears that government forces have
the insurgents on the run. Port-au-
Prince remains calm.
Tightened security was probably
the main purpose behind President Pak's
cabinet reshuffle yesterday. The key
change was the return of an able army
career man to the post of home minister,
which controls the police. The commu-
nications and transportation ministries,
both security related, were given to
other able men.
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6. Soviet Union
7. Brazil -
Soviet Union
8. Communist China
9. Algeria
The Soviets are also chafing over
another, and less grim, naval embar-
rassment--Brazil's retention of their
space support ship, the Kegostrovo It
is now more than two weeks since it was
picked up. A Soviet apology for "inad-
vertent" violation of Brazil's terri-
torial waters has cut no ice with the
navy
Peking is arranging abroad for
record amounts of chemical fertilizer.
This apparently stems from worry over
food prospects this year. Communist
China's own fertilizer production has
been severely disrupted by the Cul-
tural Revolution, and the abnormally
good crop year of 1967 is not likely
to be repeated.
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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
Top Secret
16
- 22 May 1968
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the Presidents Eyes Only
22 May 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
More North Vietnamese Missions to Western
:Europe: The government in Helsinki has agreed to
17.-&-C7IVe a North Vietnamese representative of ambas-
sadorial rank around the end of this month. This
mission is part of a new effort by Hanoi to make its
position known in non-Communist countries.
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We also hear that a North Vietnamese trade mis-
sion has been visiting the Netherlands and Belgium.
* * *
Hanoi on Chinese Support: As if to underscore
that Chinese support for the war is continuing de-
spite Peking's annoyance with the Paris talks, Hanoi
broadcast an English language item on 21 May noting
that "the 700 million Chinese people" are pledged to
provide "powerful backing" to Vietnam. The broad-
cast attributed these words of praise to Chinese
Vice Premier Li Hsien-nien, who reportedly used them
when receiving an otherwise obscure North Vietnamese
hydraulics survey delegation.
* * *
North Vietnamese Propaganda: In a long but un-
noteworthy propaganda commentary on 21 May, the North
Vietnamese army daily again argues that US charges
of Communist aggression are "absurd" and that the US
is trying to "evade" the "pressing problem" of halt-
ing the bombings. The paper says that Vietnam is
one country and therefore there can be no question
of Vietnamese aggression. In other sections, it re-
jects Ambassador Harriman's suggestion of similari-
ties in the US and North Vietnamese positions, and
says that only the US can restore the status of the
Demilitarized Zone.
* * *
Hanoi on South Vietnam Shakeup: In a broadcast
in Vietnamese to South Vietnam on 20 May, Hanoi
radio cited Western reports of President Thieu's re-
cent cabinet reshuffle as evidence of new political
instability in Saigon. The broadcast says that
Prime Minister Loc's "fall" from power shows that
the US has been unable to bring about a stable and
effective administration in Saigon. Hanoi usually
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is quick to pick up and make use of political prob-
lems in South Vietnam, and we are likely to see more
of this theme in the coming months.
* * *
Communist Political Developments: The Commu-
nists continue to publicize their new National Al-
liance among international audiences, and in South
Vietnam they claim to be building up grass roots
organizations which will reinforce their plans for
a coalition government under the Alliance.
At a press conference on 17 May, the Front
representative in Prague emphasized the appeal the
Alliance had among Vietnamese living abroad.
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Back in South Vietnam, the Communists say they
are building the kind of local grass roots structure
which will strengthen their claims of territorial con-
trol, particularly in rural areas. On 18 May, Hanoi
announced that "people's liberation committees" had
been set up in 170 "newly liberated villages" in four
delta provinces. The committees reportedly are taking
over self-defense duties and civilian administration.
* * *
II. NORTH VIETNAMESE REFLECTIONS OF US POLITICAL
ATTITUDES ON THE WAR
Nothing of significance to report.
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Top Secret
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