THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 30 MAY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993327
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 30, 1972

Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A016700270001-9
The President's Daily Brief
30 May 1972
18
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010700270001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A010700270001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
30 May 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Soviet media treatment of the President's television
address shows that Moscow considers a number of top-
ics to be sensitive. (Page 1)
Fighting has been heavy around Kontum, and there may
be more fresh enemy troops moving into South Vie-nam
across the DMZ.
(Page 2) -
The military situation in Laos is reviewed on Page 3.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR
Despite favorable coverage of the strategic arms
limitation agreement in yesterday's Pravda, the So-
viet press has yet to publish many of the points
included in President Nixon's television address.
Among the topics the Soviets appear to consider sen-
sitive are the President's challenge to compete in
producing better lives for the Soviet and American
people; his warning that there would be only losers
in an unchecked arms race; and his references to
reductions of the US armed forces, to the right of
each nation to choose its own political system, and
to US determination to defend its liberty. Foreign
policy considerations may have weighed in the omis-
sion of other passages, such as the President's dis-
cussion of the responsibilities of great powers vis-
a-vis smaller nations.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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108
Demilitarized Zone
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178
110
MR 2
South
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SOUTH VIETNAM
190
MILES
16-
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553156.5-72
" . .
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
Fighting has remained heavy around Kontum City.
Government forces began counterattacking on Sunday,
and late reports indicate the South Vietnamese have
cleared some enemy pockets. Communist units, how-
ever, still hold territory in the northern and east-
ern parts of the city. The airfield remains closed,
but supplies are being airdropped and brought in by
helicopter.
South of Kontum, government forces so far have
been unable to reopen Route 14 through the Kontum
Pass. The recent shifts of major elements of the
North Vietnamese 320th Division and an artillery
unit toward the pass indicate the enemy is deter-
mined to try to keep Kontum City isolated.
There are signs that more fresh troops from the
North Vietnamese 325th Division have moved across
the DMZ.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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LAOS: Bo!ovens Plateau Area
553153 5-72 CIA
O 10 ill 14-
20 30 MileO
0. 10 20 30 Kilometers
;107 A=
1
? Government-held location
? Communist-held location
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Communist forces have dispersed government
units attempting to retake Khong Sedone, a provin-
cial capital 30 miles north of Pakse, and may be
planning to increase pressure near Pakse itself.
Intercepts indicate that the North Vietnamese have
been reconnoitering government defenses between
Pakse and the forward government position at the
iunction of Routes 23 and 231.
five enemy infantry battalions plus
some artillery and armor units are to attack the
junction.
Communist attacks west of the Bolovens
Plateau are most likely intended to tie
down government units and to forestall
any government campaign to recapture the
Plateau during the rainy season. We con-
tinue to believe that an all-out enemy
attack on Pakse is unlikely at this time.
In north Laos, yang Pao's irregulars have made
some progress in their effort to recapture the hills
?southwest of the Plaine des Jarres. Advance units
of one irregular task force have moved to within
three miles of Phou Pha Sai, a strategic high point
overlooking the southern Plaine. Another force has
moved eastward from Sam Thong to occupy several
other high points. Elements of several North Viet-
namese regiments remain in this general area, how-
ever
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010700270001-9