THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 22 MARCH 1976

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006015061
• 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 22, 1976

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A013200010026-2
The President's Daily Brief
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March 22, 1976
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of ED. I 165 2
exemption category, 5B( I 1,(21.(3)
declassified o* on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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_ _ ?-
March 22, 1976
Table' of Contents
UK-Iceland: The Icelandic proposal conveyed to the
UK over the weekend offers a good chance for
settlement of the two nations' fishing dispute.
(Page 1)
Lebanon: Discussions continued over the weekend on
how to replace President Franjiyah and form a
new Lebanese government. Fighting in Beirut
threatens to grow more intense. (Page 2)
Notes: USSR; Thailand (Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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UK-ICELAND
The Icelandic proposal conveyed
to the UK over the weekend--through
the Norwegian Foreign Minister--offers
a good chance for settlement of the
two nations' fishing dispute.
The proposal would permit an average of 20
British trawlers--but no more than 25 at any
time--to fish inside the 200-mile limit and would
reduce the fishing area allowed to British vessels.
The offer contains no reference to catch limita-
tions. Iceland is prepared to conclude an agree-
ment along these lines for an initial period of
three to six months, an indication that Reykjavik
might later consider an extension.
The proposal is predicated on the British
withdrawing their warships. London has stated its
willingness to do this but has insisted that a min-
imum of 25 trawlers be allowed to continue fishing.
In this move toward ending the dispute, Ice-
land may have been influenced by concern that do-
mestic anti-NATO sentiment might get out of hand
if incidents at sea continue. It may also foresee
a possibility that the UN Law of the Sea Conference
in New York will recommend specific arbitration
methods for phasing out foreign fishing.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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MEDITERRANEAN
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LEBANON
Discussions continued over the
weekend in both Damascus and Beirut
on how to replace President Franjiyah
and form a new Lebanese government.
Fighting in Beirut threatens to grow
more intense.
Leftist Muslim forces yesterday forced Phalan-
gist militiamen from Beirut's gutted Holiday Inn,
the last major Phalangist holdout in the hotel dis-
trict. Phalangists have told US embassy officials
they plan to bring heavier weapons into the area.
The sea-front area--where the US embassy is located--
reportedly came under Phalangist artillery fire this
morning.
Fighting also continued in the mountains east
of Beirut. It is centered in the Christian village
of Al Kahhalah and the Druze village of Alayh.
According to unconfirmed press reports, Syrian
forces--disguised as elements of the Palestine
Liberation Army and equipped with artillery--arrived
Saturday at Marj Uyun village in southern Lebanon.
Eighteen of their 50 trucks reportedly continued
east toward Sidon on the coast. If the report is
true, these would be the first Syrian troops this
close to the Israeli-Lebanese border.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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NOTES
The last Soviet naval aircraft in West
Africa--two AN-12s--have returned to the USSR.
The Soviets have kept naval aircraft in Guinea
continuously since early January, largely to support
reconnaissance aircraft and warshius in the area.
The Soviets have three warships--a guided mis-
sile cruiser, a destroyer, and a landing ship--and
two tankers at Conakry and an intelligence ship in
the Gulf of Guinea. At least one of the two attack
submarines that have visited Conakry in the past
month may still be in the area.
Thai military combat units in Bangkok remain
on full alert in the wake of clashes yesterday
between left- and right-wing student groups over
the timing for the withdrawal of US forces. The
government, however, has decided the situation does
not warrant the declaration of a state of emergency.
At a press conference Saturday, Prime Minister
Khukrit did not appear to rule out the possibility
that a new government due to be formed after the
April election will reverse the decision against
allowing a residual military presence to stay in
Thailand. Student groups have already indicated
that they would renew their protests if a new gov-
ernment should modify Khukrit's action.
Broadcasts from Peking and Hanoi have reported
the Thai decision without comment.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Top Secret
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