THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 27 JULY 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976901
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: July 27, 1969

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007300240001-0
The President's Daily Brief
27 July 1969
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01- r 15. tLo
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007300240001-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007300240001-0
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
I. MAJOR PROBLEMS
VIETNAM
Thieu continues to tone down his election proposals of
11 July for the benefit of domestic audiences. In the
latest instance on 26 July, Thieu, speaking to a mass meet-
ing of civil servants whom the President described as "con-
fused and uncertain" over the war and peace issues, claimed
that his proposals were a "tactic" to regain US and inter-
national favor, and that he and President Nixon had agreed
at Midway that these would be the maximum concessions to get
the Communists to negotiate seriously. Acknowledging some
military criticism of his proposals, Thieu said he would
never agree to let the Communist Party operate in South Viet-
nam and that he would even resign or restore power to the
armed forces if the country rejected his peace initiatives.
Thieu's remarks to Ambassador Bunker on 26 July, as
well as some recent conversations with Vietnamese officials,
show that he has not yet decided on the composition of his
new cabinet. He hopes to bring in some talented and well-
known politicians in order to refute Viet Cong claims that
Saigon does not represent a broad popular spectrum.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007300240001-0
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SOVIET AFFAIRS
There are signs that some kind of military exercise--
probably Soviet, but possibly Warsaw Pact--may take place
shortly in East Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. Since
19 July, a large number of Soviet military transports have
been noted flying to and from these countries. Soviet tac-
tical aircraft have also been active in East Germany.
Whether ground forces are or will be involved is not known.
Reports from a meeting of the Czechoslovak party pre-
sidium on 23 July indicate the Czechoslovak leaders are
seriously concerned about the possibility of disturbances cen-
tering on the 20 August anniversary of the Soviet occupation
of the country. The presidium discussed provocations in
both the political and economic spheres, calling on police
and army to take energetic measures against those who violate
"law and economic life." The phrasing suggests a direct
warning to the underground press, which prepares and dis-
tributes "anti-state" leaflets, and Prague workers who en-
gage in slowdowns and strikes.
II. OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
LAOS
Souvanna is due back in Vientiane the afternoon of
28 July after transiting Bangkok.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007300240001-0
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CUBA - SOVIET UNION
Until the 26th of July holiday, Fidel Castro and other
top leaders virtually ignored the presence of the seven-ship
naval squadron that arrived a week ago. On the holiday it-
self, Fidel and a few other leaders were treated to a four-
hour cruise on a Soviet destroyer. Afterward, Soviet sailors
joined in cutting sugar cane as a display of solidarity with
their hosts.
FRANCE-BIAFRA
French backing of Biafra--which included clandestine
arms supply even before De Gaulle's public announcement of
support in 1968--will continue at about the same level, ac-
cording to Foreign Minister Schumann. In recently expressed
private views, Schumann showed himself emotionally committed
to the Biafran cause and disappointed that the US has not
given more help. He does not go so far, however, as to favor
recognition.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007300240001-0
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Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007300240001-0