THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 9 NOVEMBER 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976453
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: November 9, 1968

fop
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
The President's Daily Brief
Top Secret 9 November 1968
23
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9 1
THE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY 'BRIEF
9 NOVEMBER1.968
1. West Germany
2. Czechoslovakia
3.. Warsaw .Pact, -
NATO
We think there is a fair chance,
not quite 50-50, that West Germany, will
make an upward revaluation of the
? Deutsche mark this weekend. The issue
has heated up again in the last few
days because of a speech by a senior
official stating the government now
sees revaluation "as the only feasible
alternative" to restrictive economic
measures. This speech has triggered ..a
rush to turn dollars in for marks at
the German central bank.
Dubcek may soon-be-forced to. move
against the-demonstrators-or face an-
-other confrontation with the Russians.
Encouraged by. the success-of their
flag burnings and marches,,students are
teaming up With workers ?throughout the
country planning a series of "Ivan-go
home" days.
..MoscOw's official media have so
far ignored the demonstrations, but:
there is no question About how.: the Sp-.
viets View-the disturbances. If trouble
continues, the Soviets-may-well put all
their muscle behind the Czechoslovak.
conservatives in.a final attempt --to
break up the_present_leadership..
50X1
As the Soviets reduce their troops
in Czechoslovakia, some NATO members--
the British and Canadians in particular--
see a corresponding reduction in the
threat. They are beginning to cavil
over efforts to strengthen NATO defenses.
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001,;9,1
.'Poland
5. Israel-Egypt
6. Jordan
7. Panama
8. Cuba
The party,congress-opens.Monday.
We still predict Gomulka-will'keep.his
title as first secretary, but.the con-
gress.will.show.his opponents have con-
trol of the basic power apparatus. The
embassy reports unusually 'tight.securi-
ty measures have-been.clamped on Warsaw.
Israeli forces along the Suez Canal
apparently are being moved back out of
Egyptian artillery range. This rede-
ployment will give the Israelis more
room to use their tanks should the Egyp-
tians try crossing the canal where Is-
raeli troops still patrol in small num-
bers.
Husayn has made no further moves
against the terrorists and with luck
the delicate truce should continue.
Some of Arias' exiled backers, now
in Costa Rica, are talking about start-
ing ran armed uprising. These men could
run some nuisance raids along the bor-
der, but it is most unlikely they could
spark a popular uprising against the
junta.
Meanwhile, the two Guard colonels
who rule the junta are making some
changes--mostly the appointment of
friends and relatives to key posts.
The Cubans are making their own
transition preparations. Yesterday ob-
servation posts along rthe coast were
told to be especially vigilant against
invaders "because Richard Nixon has
been elected President."
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
p0X1
9. South Korea
10. South Vietnam
Communist gunners fired four re?
coilless rifle rounds into downtown
Can Tho last night. Five Vietnamese
were wounded.
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
. _
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Top Secret
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EYES ONLY
1.) Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
2.) North Vietnamese Reflections of U S
Political Attitudes
Top Secret
16
9 November 1968
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9 1
Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
9 November 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
Appeal to South Vietnamese Troops: 'Hanoi is
.doing its utmost.to sow discord in South Vietnam
.and to fan fears that the US is moving toward an
.accommodation with the Communists. An.appeal to
South Vietnamese. troops. over Liberation. Radio on
5 November picked up the theme of an impending
.US "sellout" in which ,the Saigon government would
either go alongas a "puppet" or be swept aside.
The bombing halt is treated as a. move "forced" on
the US in "defiance" of Saigon's attitude. This
means, said the broadcast, that the US has told the
:17hieu-Ky.clique" that "its role on the Saigon po-
litical stage is going to end." It calls on South_
Vietnamese forces to "arise," desert, or otherwise
support.formation of a new -"peace cabinet."
An .article in the 7 November Nhan Dan uses
Hanoi's most vicious language to denigrate the .
South Vietnamese Government, but it never comes 'to
grips with the problems raised by Saigon's absence
in Paris,,, Somewhat unconvincingly, the article
argues that the."Saigon administration's scheme
not to take part in the.conference in Paris" only
-reveals its "servile" nature.
* * *
Economic Conditions: The 5 November issue .of
the party journal Nhan Dan claims that during the
four years of bombings,.the economy had "satisfied
an important part of the needs of combat, production,
and the people's livelihood." Key branches of cen-
trally run industry, are said to have been "maintained"
and local industry is said to have been developed
"in several provinces." 'For the present, the article
emphasized that "special attention" is needed for im-
proving management over.labor, materials, and capital.
Every link in the production process, it is said,
must be directed toward increasing labor output,.im-
proving:the quality of products,'saving-raw materials,
and Cutting costs.
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
The article tends to confirm that the economy
has not been able to meet all its needs during the
years of bombings, and that management--particularly
over labor--has been one of the biggest headaches
for Hanoi.
* * *
Shipping Report for October: Cargo deliveries
to North Vietnam by foreign-flag ships in October
totaled about 163,800 tons, up some 29,000 tons from
September and 24,000 tons over the average for the
third quarter. There was some easing of congestion
in Haiphong harbor, in part because of reduced levels
of shipping over the previous few months. Improved
weather conditions and the abatement of floods which
had disrupted unloading of cargoes in September also
permitted more efficient operation of the port.
Soviet Celebration in Hanoi: Hanoi's observ-
ance of the anniversary of the Soviet revolution
on 7 November was similar to its treatment of the
Chinese National Day celebration a month earlier.
The North Vietnamese politburo turnout was about
the same on the two occasions; Premier Pham Van
Dong spoke at both receptions and his remarks were
similar.
This is the latest illustration of Hanoi try-
ing, in public at least, to balance its relations
with Moscow and Peking.
50X1
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9 1
Hanoi Promotes Long-term Savings: Hanoi is
seeking to promote long-term individual savings
with appeals to patriotism and promises of prizes
in order to soak up excess purchasing power and
to boost local economic development. The monetary
income of the people, especially of peasants, has
been outrunning the supply of consumer goods, ac-
cording to an official of the State Bank writing
in the 17 September issue of the party, daily Nhan
Dan. He states that long-term savings "mobilized"
in any province or city will be left at the dis-
posal of local officials for making long-term
loans to help economic development. This is ap-
parently a promise to local cadres who are expected
to push the savings program, that the central gov-
ernment will not pre-empt whatever funds are accu-
mulated.
The regulations governing the savings accounts
state that no withdrawals will be permitted for
five years. There will, however, be annual draw-
ings for cash prizes and a lump sum payment of two
percent interest at the end of the five-year period.
Those who leave their accounts intact after five
years will be granted privileges in the purchase
of "valuable" consumer goods.
II. NORTH VIETNAMESE REFLECTIONS OF US POLITICAL
ATTITUDES ON THE WAR
US Elections: Hanoi Radio in a domestic service
broadcast yesterday had this to say about the elec-
tion results:
--Mr. Nixon won by the smallest margin in US his-
tory--14,600 votes.
--In Congress, the Democratic Party won the majori-
ty of seats and thereby "seized control of both houses."
--"The Nixon clique will not be able to avoid an
impasse and failure when it assumes power. Meanwhile,
the masses of the US people, including the Negroes,
will further pursue their struggle for democracy, for
the right to live in freedom, and for equality and
-3-
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
against the injustices of the present US social
system."
This confused account is mild by Hanoi's usual
standards. The commentary contained no references
to the president-elect's views on Vietnam, Commu-
nist demands fora settlement, or personal attacks
on Mr. Nixon.
50X1
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/07/24 : CIA-RDP79T00936A006500240001-9