THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 31 AUGUST 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993494
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: August 31, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
The President's Daily Brief
31 August 1972
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 1652
exemption category 5I3( I
declassified only o pproval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
31 August 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Although fighting has eased somewhat in the northern
provinces of South Vietnam, the Communists appear to
be preparing to try to regain the initiative. (Page 1)
The Soviets are preparing to launch their largest
space booster in an attempt to send an unmanned space-
craft to the moon and back. (Page 2)
President Marcos is moving to prevent any precipitate
actions against US business interests threatened by
a recent Philippine Supreme Court ruling. (Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
Fighting has eased somewhat throughout the
northern provinces, but there are indications that
the Communists will soon try to regain the
initia-
tive. Several captured prisoners claim that units
of the recently infiltrated North Vietnamese' 312th
Division are to replace those'of the 325th Division
now fighting in Quang Tri City. /
Intercepts indicate that elements of the North
Vietnamese 304th and 308th divisions, arrayed against
South Vietnamese Airborne positions south of Quang
Tri City, are stockpiling ammunition and foodstuffs
and bringing in reinforcements. One message noted
that heavy artillery will be used to guarantee the
success of "the mission," while another stated that
Communist artillery units also are preparing to shell
South Vietnamese supply lines near the government's
primary defense line along the My Chanh River. Sub-
stantial amounts of 122-mm. and 130-mm. artillery
ammunition are moving south through the North Viet-
namese panhandle, most of which presumably is des?
tined for the northern battlefront. The increased
shellings may begin around 2 September, the North
Vietnamese National Day.
Intercepts and press reports from North Viet-
nam indicate that Hanoi is engaged in the third
military conscription drive of the year. The men
being drafted are likely to begin appearing in the
infiltration pipeline around the beginning of the
dry season this fall.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR
Indications are that a very large Soviet space
booster is nearing the final stages of checkout at
Tyuratam. Launch could occur within the next 24
hours. This vehicle--designated the TT-5--is larger
than the US Saturn V, although its payload capability
is smaller.
There have been two attempts
vehicle. The first, in July
in an explosion on the pad,
try, in June 1971
to launch the
1969, resulted
The second
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
PHILIPPINES US
President Marcos is moving to prevent any
precipitate actions against US business interests
threatened by a recent Philippine Supreme Court
ruling.
The court ruled that a 1946 constitu-
tional amendment allowing US interests
to own land applies only to public-
domain land and not to private land.'
Since 1946, US firms and individuals
have acquired some 37,000 acres of land,
over three-fourths of which had been
privately owned. The court also ruled
that the expiration of the amendment on
3 July 1974'will cancel all corporate
and land ownership rights now held by
US interests. Asa result 'of the de-
cision, in addition to the approximately
$50 million in landholdings immediately
affected, the future of a major portion
of the total US investment of $1 billion
is in jeopardy.
In recent public statements, Marcos has stressed
the need to maintain a favorable investment climate
and has also pointed to the constitutional provision
that property may not be confiscated without "just
compensation."
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Until the full ramifications of the court
case are known, Marcos evidently wants to
keep all options open. In particular, he
does not want the legislature "to pass im-
plementing ZegisZation that might prevent
separate executive deals with the US dur-
ing coming economic and trade negotiations.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011000280001-4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTE
Honduras: General Lopez, the armed forces
chief who has been plotting to return to power
ever since he stepped down in 1971, is about to
get yet another opportunity. A variety of dis-
turbances over the past week, involving students,
teachers, and workers, is testing President Cruz'
shaky government to the limit. If the disorder
is not soon contained, Lopez may find himself in
a position to take over with little resistance--
perhaps even with congratulations--from the popu-
lation as a whole.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Top Secret
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