THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 27 OCTOBER 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006014938
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: October 27, 1975

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
The President's Daily Brief
October 27, 1975
5
------7"0-P?StEr-e425X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 1652
exemption category 58(1),(2),(32
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : ClAiRDO9T00936A012800010049-2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : Clikl:RDP76T00936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
October 27, 1975
Table of Contents
Syria-Israel: Syria has continued to take military
measures that could indicate it intends to
initiate some type of hostility shortly with
Israel. (Page 1)
Lebanon: The heavy fighting, which broke out in
Beirut on Friday night, continued over the
weekend and spread to normally quiet areas
near the city's foreign residential section.
(Page 3)
Portugal: The government appears to have emerged
from the events of the past few days with its
authority somewhat strengthened, in spite of
a series of terrorist bombings and a spate of
coup rumors. (Page 5)
Egypt-USSR: The USSR has issued its strongest
attack to date on Egyptian policies and the
second Sinai disengagement agreement on the
eve of President Sadat's arrival here. (Page 6)
Spain: The death watch over General Franco con-
tinues. (Page 8)
Notes: USSR-China; Indonesia - Portuguese Timor
(Page 9)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14: CIA-RDP79T-0-0936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SYRIA-ISRAEL
Syria has continued to take military
measures that could indicate it intends
25X1
to initiate some
with Israel.
type of hostility shortly
25X1
25X1
Syrian forces are on alert?
were placed on full
_
the ground forces
alert while the air and air
defense forces are on a somewhat lower
level of readiness. All Syrian military
personnel have been re-
25X1
called from leave.
Syria's 7th
25X1
Infantry Division has been reinforced near Qatana
with nearly a battalion
of artillery. In addition,
military vehicles of front-line
25X1
Syrian units have
been dispersed into revetments,
and Syrian soldiers
at the front are now wear-
25X1
ing steel helmets and carrying arms
25X1
Syria
25X1
has activated the forward command posts of at
25X1
least
two of its three infantry divisions at the
front,
and is moving artillery ammunition forward.
25X1
25X1
Syrian
commanders were ordered
to start
25X1
dispersing their units
and to begin construction
of fortifications,
trenches, and tank positions.
Syrian
troops have been placed
25X1
in a
higher state of readiness,
25X1
25X1
Syrian artil-
lery battalions had been supplied with illumina-
tion shells, which Syrian officers interpreted as
the beginning of preparations for night fighting.
(continued)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
25X1
25X1
Declassified inPart-- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14: CIA-R-DP79T-60936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Damascus could initiate military action
at any time. Syria's forces are deployed close to
the front and Israel would have little warning if
Damascus decided to resume fighting. This warning
time has been further reduced by the Syrians' recent
military realignments.
the Syrians are planning some offensive action on
or about October 30.
Meanwhile, Israel may have taken some limited
military precautions to meet any Syrian threat.
seeing
a larger than usual number of troops and reservists
returning to military units in northern Israel
yesterday. He reported, however, that activity
at Israeli military camps appeared normal.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
,
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LEBANON
The heavy fighting, which broke out
in Beirut on Friday night, continued over
the weekend and spread to normally quiet
areas near the city's foreign residential
section. A few stray bullets hit the US
embassy, and mortar fire damaged Austrian
embassy facilities reportedly wounding the
ambassador.
A cease-fire is said to have been agreed to by
the feuding left and right-wing factions following
an appeal after an emergency session of the Leba-
nese cabinet yesterday. The cease-fire seems to
be taking hold slowly, however, and is not likely
to last much longer than previous ones. The fight-
ing appears to be limited mostly to Beirut, with
other areas of the country remaining relatively
calm.
The Lebanese army remains out of the fray.
It continues to guard a few key government instal-
lations and to man roadblocks at major entrance
points into the city.
AmBssador Godley reports the increasingly
grim situation in the city is causing more appre-
hension in the foreign community. The British
already have recommended the voluntary evacuation
of nonessential personnel, and Ambassador Godley
is contemplating similar action today unless the
situation improves. He intends to expedite the
departure of US regional personnel whose offices
already are being relocated. The director of UN
activities in Beirut on Saturday ordered all UN
offices closed until further notice.
_Syrian officials, meanwhile, claim that ap-
proximately 200,000 Lebanese have fled to Syria
in recent days to escape the fighting. They also
say Damascus is sending food to Lebanon and has
sent fire fighting brigades to Beirut.
(continued)
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049 2
Declassified in Part 'l Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-R-DP79T00936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
There is still no information on the whereabouts
of the two kidnaped US officials and some confusion
about who is holding them. Yesterday, the deputy
head of the leftist Popular Socialist Party in Leb-
anon told our embassy they were being held by a
Lebanese--not Palestinian--organization. Earlier
reports indicated that the two men were in the
hands of the radical Popular Front for the Libera-
tion of Palestine.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
,
Declassified in Peril Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
PORTUGAL
The government appears to have emerged
from the events of the past few days with
its authority somewhat strengthened, in-
spite of a series of terrorist bombings
and a spate of coup rumors.
On his arrival Saturday in Porto, where he went
to shore up the regional military commander in the
face of leftist attacks, Prime Minister Azevedo said
that authority and discipline would be reinstated in
Portugal "at any price." Azevedo's words, as well
as his trip to Porto, signaled his strong support
for the northern commander's efforts to restore
military discipline there. Such efforts were under-
mined earlier this month by Army Chief of Staff
Fabiao when he acquiesced to the demands of rebel-
lious soldiers.
In a further positive move, the government on
Friday announced new commanders for the Republican
National Guard and the civil police.
The Prime Minister said his visit to Porto
was the first in a series to various parts of the
country, which presumably he will use to mobilize
popular support for his government. Although the
Communists urged their supporters not to attend
Azevedo's rally, his appearance in Porto drew
150,000 people. This number contrasts sharply with
the anti-government demonstration last week in Lis-
bon which drew only about 13,000.
The military alert announced on Friday ended
abruptly on Saturday with the explanation that the
country is now calm. Whatever the reason for the
alert--it may have been politically motivated--it
appears to have been skillfully used by the govern-
ment to at least temporarily seize the initiative
and marshal its forces.
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049 2
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP7-9T00936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EGYPT-USSR
The USSR has issued its strongest
attack to date on Egyptian policies and
the second Sinai disengagement agreement
on the eve of President Sadat's arrival
here.
In an article in Pravda on Saturday, which in-
dicated top level Kremlin endorsement, the Soviets
bitterly rebutted Sadat's allegations of less than
wholehearted Soviet diplomatic and military support.
The article seems to be designed to present Moscow's
case on assistance and to discredit Sadat's argu-
ments for dealing with the US. It particularly dis-
paraged Egyptian criticism of Soviet military aid,
and reminded the Egyptians that experience with the
West in the early 1950s should have demonstrated to
them that they cannot expect "imperialist states to
show concern for building up Egypt's military
strength."
Despite its scathing tone, the article did not
attack Sadat by name and kept the door open for bet-
ter Soviet-Egyptian ties. Pravda, however, clearly
put the onus for improving relations on Egypt, say-
ing that cooperation cannot develop if one party
follows policies that undermine it.
The article also contains Moscow's most author-
itative exposition of its opposition to the second
Sinai agreement. It particularly chastises the
provision for US observers in the Sinai, describing
it as being "fraught with far-reaching, dangerous
consequences." The article reiterated the utility
of the Geneva conference as the forum for the reso-
lution of the conflict, but did not reject further
partial steps toward a settlement under the Geneva
umbrella.)
(continued)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
Declassified in Part-- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14: CIA-179T-0-0936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
HThe
net impression left by
the Pravda article is that Moscow does not close
out any practical options for the next step in Mid-
dle East diplomacy as long as they include Soviet
participation.
7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA--RDP-79T00936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SPAIN
The death watch over General Franco
continues in Madrid. A medical bulletin
issued this morning said he is now suf-
fering from stomach bleeding and conges-
tive cardiac insufficiency.
The government appears to be holding off on
taking any action to declare Franco incapacitated
because his imminent death makes the action unnec-
essary. Plans for swearing in Prince Juan Carlos
are being made.
The immediate transition period is expected
to be calm. Various important illegal opposition
leaders have told our embassy that they are willing
to give the Prince a chance to move Spain toward
democracy. even
the Communist Party is voicing a similar opinion.
The Basques also are expected to adopt a wait-and-
see attitude, but the radical, dissident communist,
Patriotic, Anti-Fascist Revolutionary Front prob-
ably will initiate further terrorist activities.
8
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049 2
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA1RDP7-9T00936A012800010049-2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
The Soviets are continuing to take some fairly
sharp propaganda shots at the Chinese, but their
commentaries on the relationship
suggest stalemate rather than alarm.
A recent Pravda article accused the Chinese of
escalating their anti-Soviet campaign, but attributed
this hostility to Mao's frustration over the failure
of his domestic and foreign policies. Moscow's han-
dling of Secretary Kissinger's visit to Peking sug-
gests that the Soviets are not as concerned as they
once were about China's ability to use relations
with the US against the USSR. For the first time,
Soviet propaganda has contrasted China's opposition
to detente-related developments with the position
taken by the Secretary. Moscow especially noted
Sino-US differences in assessing the results of the
recently concluded European Security Conference.
The Indonesian military operation launched
in Portuguese Timor has bogged down.
Field commanders apparently underestimated
their logistical problems and the strength of
Fretilin forces operating near the border. Jakarta
remains determined, nevertheless, to escalate its
operations inside Portuguese Timor
Indonesia wants to establish
a number of small military enclaves in the Portu-
guese half of the island from which it can attack
Fretilin forces. Three such enclaves already have
been set up, and Jakarta hopes to establish two
more by the end of the week.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049 2
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - SanTtiied Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T-00936A012800010049-2
N
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012800010049-2