THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 31 OCTOBER 1968

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1961-1969
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976437
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: September 16, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2015
• Publication Date: October 31, 1968

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The President's Daily Brief
Top 31 October 1968
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TBE PRESIDENT'S
DAILY BRIEF
31 OCTOBER 1968
1. Israel-Egypt
2, Warsaw 'Pact
3. Soviet Union
Eban is now expected in New York
on Saturday, but we still do not be-
lieve he will be bringing any signifi-
cant new proposals with him.
UN officials, meanwhile, say they
think the Israelis are preparing for "a
real go" in the southern Suez Canal
area. The Israelis deny they intend to
start anything, but they make it clear
they are ready for 'a major retaliation
against any further Egyptian "provoca-
tion."
Defense ministers from all the
.Warsaw Pact states, including.Czecho-
.sloyakia and Rumania, met in:MoscoW:on-
TUesday and Wednesday. - We do not know
:what they discussed, .but their press
release says 'they 'achieved an "identi-
ty.of views." Whatever the substance
of the talks, the Soviets doubtless re-
gard this .show Of unity as apolitical
plus.
We do not at, the moment have any
good sign .of a link between the mili
tary caucus and a meeting of the 'Soviet
party Central Committee .which .was also
in progress in Moscow yesterday. .The,
party people were .said to be talking
mainly about' Soviet agricultural policy
and, while this may be true, there was
bound to be discussion of the Czechoslo-
vak problem. .as well,
The helicopter carrier Moskva is
scheduled to return to the Black Sea
from the Mediterranean by 6 November.
This is part of 'a general rotation
which will bring the size of the Soviet
Mediterranean fleet back down to the
level of recent months.
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4. Mexico
5. Colombia
Looking back on the recent student
unrest, our embassy in Mexico City makes
the following observations:
--Essentially, the Mexican social
and political structure withstood the
student onslaught very well. The gov-
ernment will, however, have trouble
bringing the next generation back into
the fold with its traditional--and here-
tofore highly successful--blend of con-
trol and flexibility.
--The government may now ride closer
herd on the intellectuals, and particu-
larly on the leftists who have long used
the universities as sanctuaries, On the
other hand, the disturbances may also pro-
duce some needed reforms in the univer-
sities.
--The political center of gravity
has shifted to the right in the wake of
the unrest. The governing party's basic
structure remains intact, however, and
we may soon see some counterbalancing
move to placate the Mexican establish-
ment's left wing.
Students and police fought it out
around the university in Bogota yester-
day. Police arrested 23, and 27 police-
men were wounded. Rumor has it that the
students plan more trouble in Bogota,
and disturbances may break out in other
cities as well.
The Ford Foundation was one of the
prime targets of yesterday's demonstra-
tors, and any further unrest could also
have a heavy anti-American flavor.
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6. Peru
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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
2.) North Vietnamese Reflections of U S
Political Attitudes
Top Secret
16
31 October 1968
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
31 October 1968
14 NOTES ON THE SITUATION
* * *
.Observations on,Life in Hanoi: A recent Western
traveler-to Hanoi reports more signs of friction be!- -
tween the Chinese and Soviets in the city. He claims
that in mid-October the Chinese set up ,a roadblock
near the Doumer bridge, in an apparent effort to block
the Soviets' access to Gia Lam airport. , North Vietnam-
ese guards came along, however, and had a fist fight
.with the Chinese. Later in the day?the roadblock was
gone. A few days later roadblocks appeared at the en-
trance and exit to the street where the Soviet Embassy
is located. The source also said that the Czech press
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secretary was recently reprimanded by the foreign min-
istry for filing stories about Soviet-Chinese encoun-
ters, and the North Vietnamese - Chinese fracas at the
bridge.
By-way of miscellaneous' information, the source
.said that thelocal militia are still.being.trained in
_street fighting although not very effectively, The
bulk of the rail traffic moves at night,-although the
rail yards seem to operate normally both day, and night,
Some yards that were bombed out are said to have been
back.in operation for several. months. .
* * *
* * *
-2-
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Japanese Film to Show US Prisoners: The Japan-
ese Communist Party is sponsoring production of a
film documentary on North Vietnm, to include inter-
views with US prisoners of war
The project, reportedly authorized by
Hanoi in late October, is to be directed by a leftist
Japanese film director who has left for Hanoi. He
plans to remain in North Vietnam for about four months,
according to the source.
The documentary may include footage from Commu-
nist-controlled regions of South Vietnam.
* * *
Tightened Rice Ration in Hanoi:
as of mid-September the rice ration con-
sisted of 40 percent rice and 60 percent wheat, as
compared to a 50-50 mixture earlier in the year. There
have been other isolated reports to this effect, but
there is no firm indication that this change in pro-
portion is widespread.
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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
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