THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 2 DECEMBER 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976491
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: December 2, 1968

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006600110001-2
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The President's Daily Brief
2 December 1968
23
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...A-I,' I
?THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
2 DECEMBER 1968
1. South Vietnam ,
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2. South Vietnam
3. Arab Terrorists
4.. Israel-Jordan
5, Japan
Intercepts indicate that several
Communist units which have been inac-
tive for the past two months are get-
ting ready for action in northern I
Corps. There are also scattered signs
of Communist combat preparations far-
ther south, notably in the provinces
on the Cambodian border northwest of
Saigon. There has been no indication
so far that the Communists plan a
drive on Saigon itself.
With the announcement of two mer-
gers last week, Palestinian terrorist
groups edged a bit closer to the unity
that has eluded them since 1948. The
terrorists also say they have worked
out a modus vivendi with the Jordanian
Government.
Unity is still along way off, but
every step in that direction adds to
the terrorists' effectiveness, both as
a military threat to Israel and'as a
militant voice among their fellow Arabs.
Since the reported agreement be-
tween the Jordanian Government and the
terrorists, Tel Aviv has made it clear
that it holds Jordan responsible for
recent terrorist incidents. Yesterday's
Israeli raid, which blew up bridges on
Jordan's only rail line and on .a key
road, drives the point home.
Sato shuffled his cabinet Friday.
His goal was to heal his party's divi-
sions in anticipation of the upcoming
debates on Okinawa and the security
treaty with the US.
What emerged was a grouping which
gives representation to the factions
disappointed in the recent election for
party president, moves Sato's most prom-
inent potential successors to important
positions, and gives key party posts to
his two chief lieutenants.
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Top Secret
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Top Secret
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EYES ONLY
.) Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
.) North Vietnamese Reflections of US
Political Attitudes
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2 December 1968
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
2 December 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
Hanoi Charges US Attacks on North Vietnam: Hanoi
has on separate occasions over the weekend accused
the US of conducting air attacks and reconnaissance
flights over North Vietnam as well as violating the
Demilitarized Zone. Referring to recent US pilot res-
cue missions in southern North Vietnam and to allied
patrols in the Demilitarized Zone, Nhan Dan on 1 De-
cember described the actions as "serious acts of war"
and as a sign that the US had not yet given up its
"aggressive designs" against North Vietnam despite
the bombing halt.
* * *
Soviets Emphasize Economic Aid to North Vietnam:
Commenting on the aid agreements recently negotiated
in Moscow between Soviet officials and North Vietnam's
Le?Thanh Nghi, both Pravda and Izvestia emphasized the
economic nature of the Soviet assistance, while vir-
tually excluding references to military aid. The two
commentaries, according to Ambassador Thompson, are in
line with the Soviets' intention of depicting North
Vietnam as a country interested primarily in getting
on with postwar economic reconstruction, with the So-
viet Union as its chief supporter.
* * *
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Military Movements: There have been numerous
indications of movement of regular army units and
probable infiltration groups in North Vietnam in re-
cent High Command and Rear Services messages.
* * *
Commentary on the Bombing Halt:
the 31 March bombing halt generated a
good deal of debate at the man-in-the-street level.
Older people were prone to see it as an
American gesture for peace, while the younger genera-
tion felt it marked a victory over the US.
North Vietnamese women who had
relatives in the war were the real "doves." They
thoroughly tired of the whole business.
lost
were
* * *
Hanoi Speeds Up Rice Harvest: Further informa-
tion has been received on Hanoi's efforts to get the
most out of its fall rice harvest. On 23 November,
the Ministry of Agriculture ordered the mobilization
of all available personnel to complete the harvest
prior to the bad weather expected by late November.
In addition, the ministry cautioned agriculture offi-
cials to ensure the quick replanting of rice and
other agricultural products.
There seems to be little prospect of North Viet-
nam becoming self-sufficient in rice production for
some time.
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II. NORTH VIETNAMESE REFLECTIONS OF US POLITICAL
ATTITUDES ON THE WAR
day.
There is nothing of significance to report to-
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Top Secret
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