THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 5 MARCH 1974

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006007690
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 5, 1974

Declassified in Part-Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79f0' 0936-A012000010024-7
The President's Daily Brief
March 5, 1974
Top
4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5B(1),(2).(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
ar:-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
March 5, 1974
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
(Page 1)
Prime Minister Meir told President Katzir she will
keep trying to form a government until tomorrow,
when the extension of the mandate granted by Katzir
last week expires. (Page 3)
West German Minister Bahr is having tough sledding
in Moscow over the question of Bonn's attempt to
open a federal environmental office in West Berlin.
(Page 4)
Guatemalil
(Page 5)
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SYRIA-ISRAEL
There have been no Soviet political or military
activities indicating concern over a possible renewal
of Middle East hostilities.
Foreign Minister Gromyko is completin a four-
day visit in Egypt
When
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
25X1
,,??r2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
FOR 'THE PRESIDENT ONLY
he left Syria last Friday, Gromyko announced that
he would return after his Cairo visit to complete
his discussions. There has been no hint in Gromyko's
public 'statements of concern over an imminent Syrian
attack in the Golan Heights.
? Soviet military activities related to the Mid-
dle East appear normal.
Two So-
viet destroyers departed the Mediterranean for the
Black Sea over the weekend. There are now fewer
combatants in the Mediterranean Squadron than at
this time last year. Most Soviet ships are at an-
chorage or in port after having concluded a short
anti-submarine warfare exercise on March 1.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Meir told President Katzir yes-
terday that she would keep trying to form 'a govern-
ment until tomorrow when the extension of the man-
date granted by Katzir last week expires. Mrs. Meir
yielded to the entreaties of other Alignment leaders.
She will now insist that it is up to them to come
around to her way of thinking; she is, in all proba-
bility, quite prepared to step down should they re-
fuse.
If Mrs. Meir steps down., the possibility is quite
strong that new elections will have to be called..
Another possibility, although less likely, is that
a government of national unity with the right-wing
Likud will emerge.. Pressures for a unity govern-
ment appear to be growing within the Alignment,
primarilyfrOM.Defense Minister Dayan's Rafi,fac-
tion. A move toward a unity government could split
the party;. the_left-wing Mapam faction, for in-
stance, has threatened to bolt the Alignment rather
than acquiesce in a government of national unity..
? With the exception of Dayan, Alignment leaders
do not favor new elections. This option, however,
may become more attractive should the impasse con-
tinue. Prior to ahy election.Mrs. Meir would con-
tinue to head the present caretaker majority coali-
tion-whichincludes Dayan and the National Religious
Party. This would give the Alignment more time to
address the domestic political issues that divide
it, and to strengthen its position at the polls.
Moreover,.the government could continue the disen-
gagement negotiations with the Syrians confident
that its views on this subject are shared by a ma-
jority of the Knesset.
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
WEST GERMANY USSR
West German Minister Bahr, who is in Moscow try-
ing to arrange a visit by Chancellor Brandt, is not
making much progress over Berlin. Soviet leaders are
adamant that Bonn's attempt to open a federal environ-
mental office in West Berlin is a violation of the
1971 Quadripartite Agreement and that the office would
be a wedge for a greater federal presence in the city.
Bahr's initial talks with General Secretary Brezh-
nev and Deputy Foreign Minister Kuznetsov were frank,
?and neither side gave any ground. The Soviets are
hinting that a face-saving compromise might be arranged,
but the West Germans believe that no real progress can
be made Until Foreign Minister Gromyko returns from
his trip to the Middle East. Bahr intends to stay in
the USSR until then.
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012500010024-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
GUATEMALA
.Despite the government's release last night of
partial voting returns showing its candidate ahead
in last Sunday's presidential election?President
Arana told close advisers yesterday afternoon it
was -obvious that opposition candidate General Efrain
Rios Montt had really won Arana is faced with a
thorny dilemma: accepting a Ribs victory would be
anathema to conservative military and civilian offi-
cials,- and nullifying the elections or manipulating
the final vote count to name the government's man
the winner could spark serious violence or split the
army. Minor clashes between supporters of the top
two presidential rivals have already occurred in the
capital, and further wide discrepancies between the
official and oppositiOn versions of the vote tallies
could lead to more trouble.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP-79T00936A012000010024-7
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012000010024-7