THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 24 MARCH 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993209
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 24, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
The President's Daily Brief
24 March 1972
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
24 March 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
There is a lull in the fighting at Long Tieng.
(Page 1)
Despite Brezhnev's recent speech, Sino-Soviet rela-
tions show no improvement. (Page 2)
Chilean President Allende's tacit approval of ille-
gal land seizures by peasants could lead to a show-
down with aroused landowners. (Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
LONG TIENG AREA
F*
Idi -i-C-
Government-held location 1
f - ,in
).-- . ' 1. Communist-held location ;
?.' A Highpoint
;: 0 5 . I
( Miles __.t.
-777- -77 ?
'4 1 ''
lean Na
LONG MAT
Phou Se
fruong Pot
"DE.Sr?
JA RES
am Thong
Enemy shelling
attack
ivEnemy held
positions, 23 Mar
4. /).?
0 0 09,_
ong Tieng
Tha Tam -
Bleu*
WM=
Khang Khip
A
Unoccupied,
Pha Do
\. ?
ha Khoo
I Ban
So
Phone
Sa?
Trail
52
552719 3-72 CIA
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
After nearly a week of intense fighting, the
North Vietnamese are pausing, probably to regroup
and resupply before launching more attacks on Long
Tieng. A key position guarding the road from Sam
Thong was shelled yesterday, but no ground assault
followed. North Vietnamese units remain in two
positions at the center of Skyline Ridge, govern-
ment forces hold five positions, and both sides
have abandoned two battle sites at the western end
of the ridge. There appears to be little change
in the situation of Vang Pao's two task forces oper-
ating east of the Plaine des Jarres.
Despite the lull, there is no evidence
that any enemy units have withdrawn from
the area of Long Tieng.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14: CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR-CHINA
The timing of a Chinese announcement on 21 March
that the most recent round of talks with the So-
viets on navigation of border rivers had failed
suggests that Peking intended it as an indirect
rebuff to Brezhnev's disingenuous offer to improve
bilateral relations on a broad front.
Brezhnev spoke on 20 March. On the same day the
Soviets announced the return to Peking of Leonid
Ilichev, their chief negotiator on delineating the
Sino-USSR frontier. Ilichev's arrival presumably
was timed to underscore Brezhnev's indication that
Moscow was prepared to discuss further a series of
proposals?tabled by Moscow over the past year--
regarding non-aggression, non-use of force, and
territorial settlements. Brezhnev stressed that
it was up to Peking to respond. The Soviets no
doubt were interested in how the Chinese would
reply as an aid to assessing the consequences of
President Nixon's visit to Peking.
The failure of the border river navigation talks is
directly related to the Zack of progress in Ilichev's
ne otiations on the delineation o the rontier.
25X1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CHILE
In response to a demand by the Supreme Court,
President Allende has sent Interior Minister Del
Canto to southern Chile to investigate an eruption
of violence in the countryside. Leftists are fo-
menting illegal seizures of farms by landless peas-
ants, while established landowners are using force
to preserve or regain their holdings. Still other
seizures stem from efforts to settle old grudges.
The dispatch of Del Canto does not seem
likely to calm matters down, primarily
because Allende condones the seizures by
the leftists. He views their actions,
even if excessive, as part of the desir-
able process of grass-roots social change.
The opposition Nationalist Party, for its
part, fears that its supporters among the
aroused landholders are heading for a
showdown with the government that could
? be self-defeating, but feels unable to
control them.
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
Lebanon-Fedyeen-Israel: The fedayeen and the
Lebanese Army have established a fragile modus vi-
vendi in southern Lebanon. The guerrillas, who are
gradually returning to the area, continue to observe
the army's ban on fedayeen bases in villages, and
no new clashes have occurred. Villagers have asked
for army protection, but allow the guerrillas to
purchase supplies. Israel continues to maintain
observation posts within Lebanon, and Lebanese Army
commanders, despite their strong personal objections
to this violation of national sovereignty, have or-
dered their troops not to interfere with the Israe-
lis.
Malta-UK: As the deadline for British with-
drawal draws near, Prime Minister Mintoff has aban-
doned or muted many of his earlier demands on the
NATO allies. He now contends there are only two
major obstacles to concluding an agreement with the
British: receipt of assurances that US economic
aid will materialize soon after the accord is
reached, and delivery of a written commitment, no
matter how veiled, that the US Sixth Fleet will not
visit Malta. Mintoff has told the British he is
prepared to go to London tomorrow to sign the docu-
ment. The British, however, intend to reply that
"even with the best of goodwill" they could not be
ready before the middle of next week, because the
cabinet must first approve the draft treaty.
Ceylon: Many Ceylonese and foreign observers
believe that the threat of a new wave of insurgent
terrorism has eased until perhaps next month, and
that rebel leaders will wait until they think they
can catch the authorities with their guard lowered.
The government believes it can cope with an uprising,
provided it receives promised Western arms and the
rebels do not receive foreign aid. The government's
popular support has seriously eroded, however, and
it may no longer be able to rely on the loyalty of
individual members of the police and armed forces.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010500220001-6