THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 12 MAY 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005976769
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 12, 1969

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007100090001-9
The President's Daily Brief
12 May 1969
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007100090001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007100090001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
I. MAJOR PROBLEMS
EUROPE
The question of whether to revalue the West German mark
has had strong political overtones in Bonn. The Cabinet, at
its meeting Friday to discuss the monetary situation, split
along party lines with all Social Democrats favoring reval-
uation and the Christian Democrats opposed to such a move.
An economics sub-cabinet group was set up to work out alter-
native measures to revaluation but Economics Minister Schil-
ler, a Social Democrat, apparently has refused to preside
over the group.
The monetary crisis is particularly touchy at this time
because all major leaders in Bonn have their eyes focused on
the national elections next September. The Christian Demo-
crats believe that if the government refuses to revalue it
will increase their chances for victory--a recent poll showed
87 percent opposed to revaluation.
SOVIET AFFAIRS
reported that the
Soviet central committee will convene today for the first
time since December. The postponement of President Podgorny's-
departure or North Korea from today until Wednesday lends
weight to the reports.
there will be two items on
the agenda: the forthcoming international conference of
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007100090001-9
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Communist parties and the ways to improve the application of
science and technology to the economy. Consideration of the
documents related to the conference by the central committee
prior to the "finaln.preparatory meeting scheduled for 23 May
would be in line with the directive issued by the last prepar-
atory session in March.
MIDDLE EAST
There is nothing significant to report.
VIETNAM
There is nothing significant to report.
II, OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
NIGERIA
Federal leader Gowon has reshuffled his Military com-
mand in an effort to. get his forces back on the offensive.
There has been no significant opposition to the changes be-
cause they seem directed at the most corrupt and incompetent
of the high-level officers, and because Gowon paid due regard
to tribal sensitivities by reassigning the officers to less
important positions.
In spite of this move, it will be some
time before the new commanders can launch a successful offen-
sive. The federal forces have been bogged down in the north
by serious supply problems and they have been losing ground
steadily on the southern front.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007100090001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007100090001-9
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A007100090001-9