THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 20 APRIL 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993256
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 20, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010600170001-1
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The President's Daily Brief
20 April 1972
47
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010600170001-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010600170001-1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
20 April 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
The North Vietnamese are continuing to harass US
ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. In South Vietnam there
has been little change on the three major battle-
fronts, but the Communists are making gains at local
levels in many parts of the country.(
(Page 1)
The Council for Economic Mutual Assistance is con-
sidering opening an office in Brussels to increase
cooperation with the European Communities. (Page 4)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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108 110
Demilitarized Zone
Tri
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THUA THIC
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ay Rien ?
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---FAct 3
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SOUTH VIETNAM
110
16-
14--
12-
10-
18 MILES 1110
552887 4-72
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
The North Vietnamese are continuing to harass
US naval vessels off the coast of North Vietnam.
Yesterday two MIG-17s and several motor torpedo
boats attacked four US ships east of Dong Hoi. One
of the MIGs bombed the destroyer Higbee, heavily
.damaging the ship and causing four casualties. One
of the other US ships downed a MIG with a surface,-
to-air missile and also apparently sank two of, the
motor torpedo boats.
In South Vietnam there has been little change
in the situation on any of the three major battle-
fronts, but Communist gains at the local level in
many parts of the country are becoming more appar-
ent. Small Communist regular units and local forces
throughout the country have been moving on vulner-
able targets in populated areas, such as government
outposts, refugee centers, and district towns. In
Quang Ngai Province, although the provincial capital
remains quiet, enemy units have made considerable
inroads in at least two nearby districts. In neigh-
boring Binh Dinh Province they have captured two
district capitals in the past few days. The Commu-
nists have had similar successes in various other
regions, including many parts of the Mekong Delta.
Their efforts have been abetted in many cases by
a lack of aggressiveness op the part of Saigon's
provincial and militia forces.
Extending Communist influence at the local
level and undermining Saigon's control in
the countryside seem to be a major part of
enemy plans. In many areas the Communists
are following up their military efforts
with attempts to establish civil admin-
istrations in newly seized territory. The
North Vietnamese units that are assisting
Viet Cong cadre apparently are under or-
ders to treat the local populace well.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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USSR
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
JAPAN-CHINA
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CEMA-EC
/the Council for
Economic Mutual Assistance has under consideration
the establishment of an office in Brussels to cooper-
ate more closely with the European Communities.
r The opening
of a CEMA office in Brussels would be a
logical step following Brezhnev's public
overture on 20 March for relations be-
tween CEMA and the Communities. In addi-
tion, the channeling of Eastern European
ties to the Common Market through CEMA
would help the Soviets to keep their part-
ners under control.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010600170001-1