THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 5 MAY 1970

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977438
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 5, 1970

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300040001-1
The President's Daily Brief
5 May 1970
27
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
5 May 1970
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In Cambodia, the Communists continue their efforts
to sever Phnom Penh's road links with the southern
and eastern provinces. (Page 1)
The current upsurge of enemy activity in South Viet-
nam could last at least through this week. (Page 3)
Both Moscow and Peking issued official statements
yesterday on current US activity in Indochina.
(Page 4)
The military situation in Laos is noted on Page 5.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Cambodia: Current Situation
THAILAND
ttambang
Kratie
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Kompong(Sorri
(Sihanoukyille):,.
Kompo
Cham Ferry
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PossiI,le new loca
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275th Regiment
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VC move rent
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MILES
98431 5-70 CIA
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
By their latest moves the Communists have put
themselves in a position to cut Phnom Penh's overland
access to the southern and eastern provinces. An
estimated 500 to 800 Communist troops who captured
the important Mekong River ferry landing at Neak
Luong, some 30 miles southeast of the capital, have
now crossed to the west bank of the river.. Cambodian
troops evidently gave way without offering much re-
sistance. A two-battalion government blocking force
is located at the village of Koki Thom on Route 1,
and an additional two battalions are moving to drive
the Communists back across the river.
There are press reports, meanwhile, that the
Communists may be preparing to attack another key
Mekong crossing, this one 'near the city of Kompong
Cham, 50 miles northeast of Phnom Penh. There is
no reliable evidence of any major buildup in the
area, but a government post ten miles south of Kom-
pong Cham was attacked several days ago. This is
the most westerly Communist penetration in this area
to date. Farther up the river, intercepted Cambo-
dian Army messages state that several truckloads of
Communist troops have left the town of Chhlong and
headed west for the town of Krauchmar, which is de-
fended by a battalion of raw. recruits.
Southwest of Phnom Penh, an army outpost has
been lost near Route 4, the main road connecting
Phnom Penh with the principal port at Kompong Som
(Sihanoukville). If Route 4 is cut, the government
would be faced with a critical logistic problem.
Yesterday, communications intellidence tenta-
tively located the headquarters element of the Viet
Cong 275th Regiment some 25 miles east of the town
of Kratie. If confirmed, this relocation would mark
the deepest penetration into Cambodia by a Communist
main force unit since Sihanouk's ouster. It is not.
clear whether such a move would be a prelude to an
attack on Kratie or an attempt to evade allied bor-
der operations.
(continued)
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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Allied Military Facilities Hit by Rocket and Mortar Fire, 3-4 May
Demilitarized Zone
?
Snout
? hook Area
Parrot's eak
Svay RI
911411 S 7n (-IA
(---,VC/NVA base area along
Cambodian border
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SOUTH VIETNAM - CAMBODIA
The second phase of the Communists? spring cam-
paign continued to gain momentum on 3-4 May. Allied
military facilities, including US airbases at Chu Lai,
Phan Rang, and Bien Hoa and the South Vietnamese
training center, at Chi Lang in the delta, were struck
by rocket and mortar fire. Casualties and damage were
generally light. Scattered South Vietnamese outposts
also were targets of enemy shellings and small-scale
ground attacks. The village of Que Son northwest of
Chu Lai and four other district towns in the delta
were hit by mortar rounds.
Enemy messages mention 7 and 8 May as dates
for increased activity in I Corps, and at
least two Long-inactive North Vietnamese
regiments there have shifted from secure
mountain bases toward target areas in the
populated lowlands. Numerous indications
that some enemy units are still completing
their combat preparations suggest that the
present upsurge of activity--which has not
been as intense as that of early April--
could last at least through this week.
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR - COMMUNIST CHINA - INDOCHINA
At his news conference in Moscow yesterday, Pre-
mier Kosygin claimed that a "new hotbed of war" had
been created in Southeast Asia and accused President
Nixon of "threats" against Hanoi and its allies. He,
denounced the US for "grossly violating" the agree-
ment that led to the bombing halt, condemned US,"in-
tervention" in Cambodia, and suggested that these ac-
tions could have repercussions outside of Southeast
Asia. Kosygin elaborated during the question and an-
swer period by implying that US activity could jeop-
ardize the strategic arms talks in Vienna. As. for
diplomatic Means of solving Indochina problems, Kosy-
gin said "this is not the time for meetings but for
actions."
Peking's official statement yesterday contained
a "stern warning" against US provocations and.reiter-
ated China's vague pledge to provide "powerful back-
ing" for the Indochinese people in their "struggle"
against the US.
Other than Moscow's reference to possible
wider implications of US actions, neither
statement goes beyond previous pledges of
support for Hanoi or criticism of US pol?
icy. In answer to a question on Soviet
military assistance, Kosygin replied merely
? that the USSR was already giving Hanoi "all-
around" aid. Moreover, he refused to be
drawn out on the question of the legitimacy
of Cambodia's present government. Despite
the bombast, the tenor of Peking's remarks
was mild by Chinese standards.
Now that Moscow and Peking have issued au-
thoritative statements, they probably will
wait to see how the situation develops be-
fore considering a more active role in In-
dochina.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/04/27 : CIA-RDP79T00936A008300040001-1
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Laos: Current Situation
BURMA
THAILAND
BoIng
u m I ncreasga
PIaineJ-,tsco`
Sami(-,..!lar're-------._
.hon'?t.'sf'