THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 14 JULY 1975

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006014848
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: July 14, 1975

Declassified in 'Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A01275-0010028-6
The President's Daily Brief
July 14, 1975
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012700010028-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012700010028-6
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of ED. 11652
exemption category 51311)4'2).(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
?.,
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
July 14, 1975
Table of Contents
112EIti9Ll: The Revolutionary Council has called on
Prime Minister Goncalves to fill the cabinet
vacancies left by Socialists as soon as possi-
ble with individuals who will "place national
interest above party interest." (Page 1)
Egypt-USSR: Egypt is denying the Soviet navy access
to certain ports and anchorages. (Page 2)
Notes: China; CSCE; Israel-Fedayeen (Pace 5)
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
PORTUGAL
The Revolutionary Council has called
on Prime Minister Goncalves to fill the
cabinet vacancies left by the Socialists
as soon as possible with individuals who
will "place national interest above party
interest." Replacements for the justice
minister and the five Socialist secre-
taries of state are likely to be from the
military. The post held by Socialist
Party leader Soares--that of minister
without portfolio--reportedly will be
abolished.
Prime Minister Goncalves appears to be holding
onto his own position despite an effort to remove
him at the meeting of the Revolutionary Council last
Wednesday. President Costa Gomes, who reportedly
refused to let the motion against the Prime Minis-
ter come to a vote, appears determined to keep Gon-
calves in office, at least for now, in order to main-
tain a facade of Council unity.
Foreign Minister Antunes says the Council ac-
tually is badly divided. The US embassy has learned
from a reliable source that Antunes--voderate leader
of the military group that is seeking to replace
Goncalves--is in close contact with Soares and may
be planning coordinated moves in the near future.
The Socialists do not appear to have decided
how to follow up their withdrawal from the govern-
ment. Soares has promised to hold a press confer-
ence this week to announce the party's decisions.
The Socialists' course of action will depend
in part on whether the center-left Popular Democrats
follow them out of the government. President Costa
Gomes is due to respond on Wednesday to the condi-
tions presented by the Popular Democrats for stay-
ing in the government.
The Communists are calling the Socialist pull-
out a divisive act intended to "set up a new coali-
tion of right-wing forces." One party allied with
the Communists is calling for the dissolution of the
constituent assembly.
1
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o
0 0
Greeipe76
c7 (7
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BOUNDARY REPRESENTATION IS
NOT NECESSARILY AUTHORITATIVE
TIGRIS
Turkey
Mediterranean Sea
Lebanon
BEIRU
Iraq
Sollum
Mersa
atruh
Tel Aviv-Ya
Isra
Libya
Port Said
Saudi Arabia
Aswan High Dam
Sudan
o 50 100 15.0 200 MILES
I , r
0 50 100 150 200 KILOMETERS
558194 7-75
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EGYPT-USSR
Egypt is denying the Soviet navy
access to certain ports and anchorages--
probably to exert pressure on Moscow
for a new arms agreement and a resched-
uling of its debt. So far the Soviets
have suffered no significant adverse
effects from the Egyptian policy of
denial. Some of the support services
which the Soviet navy has received from
Egypt can be obtained elsewhere in the
Mediterranean area. The extensive re-
pair facilities still available to the
Soviets in Alexandria, however, could
not be replaced.
The change in Egyptian policy was first
naled when the Egyptians sent a mine-
sweeper to the Gulf of Sollum
Si g-
Soviet ships at
Sollum now anchor just outside the 12-nautical-
mile territorial limit.
Restrictions have not yet been applied exten-
sively, if at all, to Alexandria, the most impor-
tant port in the Mediterranean for the support of
Soviet naval units.
The Egyptians may be curtailing access
of Soviet warships to the port
(continued)
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Soviet surface combatants visited Alexandria
in the past less frequently than submarines or sup-
port ships. 25X1
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the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron recently
was twice denied permission to enter the port, and
Egyptians are now requiring diplomatic
clearance for Soviet warships desiring to enter
Alexandria.
? Effect of Restrictions
The restrictions imposed by the Egyptians thus
far have had no appreciable effect on Soviet naval
operations or capabilities in the Mediterranean.
Egyptian Objectives
The Egyptians must hope that their harassment
of the Soviets will serve as a counterpressure on
Moscow in retaliation for the Soviets' refusal to
sign a new arms agreement or to reschedule the
Egyptian debts. The imposition of naval restric-
tions followed almost immediately news of the So-
viet-Libyan arms deal and reports that the Soviets
might gain access to naval facilities in Libya.
Nevertheless, the Egyptian move may have been
planned well in advance.
Soviet Reaction
The Soviets have not reacted publicly to the
Egyptian restrictions.
(continued)
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The Soviets are still shying away from a re-
sponse that might lead to a rupture of relations.
For the present, they have no satisfactory alterna-
tive to the repair facilities in Alexandria, which
they built for the Egyptians. Over the longer term
they probably hope to regain a position of influ-
ence in Cairo.
The Soviets probably would prefer to continue
to rely on Egypt for the primary support of their
Mediterranean Squadron rather than gamble on Libya
and the unpredictable President Qadhafi. Moscow
would, nevertheless, like to continue the develop-
ment of relations with Libya--as well as with Syria
and Yugoslavia--in the event relations with Cairo
continue to deteriorate.
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NOTES
The conferees at Geneva may agree today on
July 30 as the opening date for a CSCE summit in
Helsinki.
The NATO caucus decided over the weekend to
accept Malta's demand for a special declaration on
"lessening tensions and reducing the armed forces"
in the Mediterranean region. The NATO states hope
this will pave the way for the Warsaw Pact and the
neutrals to accept the same language. The Turks,
influenced by strong demarches from several NATO
governments, are now unlikely to hold up the summit
meeting. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials re-
cently have muted their calls for Turkish Cypriot
representation in Helsinki
Israeli aircraft yesterday attacked a fedayeen
base near the coastal city of Sidon in southern
Lebanon.
The base, which has been the target of previ-
ous attacks, is in or near Ein el-Hilweh, the largest
Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Preliminary
press reports indicate that four were killed and
over 20 wounded. An Israeli jet was shot down; one
of its two pilots was reportedly captured; the other
killed. This is the second raid on guerrilla bases
in Lebanon since a terrorist bombing in Jerusalem
killed 14 people on July 4.
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Top Secret
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