THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 5 JANUARY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993062
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: January 5, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
?
The President's Daily. Brief
5 January 1972
50
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE:PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
5 January 1972.
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
New Delhi may soon upgrade its representation in
Hanoi to an embassy as a gesture of displeasure
over US support for Pakistan. (Page 1)
According to Ambassador Swank, Sink Matak's rela-
tions with Cambodian Prime Minister Lon Nol have
improved. (Page 2)
In Laos, the North Vietnamese have resumed their
attacks on Long Tieng. (Page 3)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
.00
INDIA
An announcement raising the Indian consulate-
general in Hanoi to an embassy will be made "within
a few days,"
two years ago
[New Delhi had decided in prin-
ciple to raise the level of its representa-
tion in North Vietnam to counter big power,
particularly Chinese, influence there and
to encourage Hanoi to follow an independent
course in international relations. It was
decided at that time to move only when the
"situation was ripe."
Several recent? reports have indicated that
Prime Minister Gandhi has been seeking ways
to show her displeasure over US support
for Pakistan. Mrs. Gandhi may also hope
that this step would prompt socialist coun-
tries to recognize Bangladesh.
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
Ambassador Swank reports that Sink Matak's
relations with Lon Nol have improved considerably,
and that the two leaders seem to have reached a
modus vivendi for the time being. Matak told the
ambassador on Monday that both he and the army gen-
eral staff were delighted with Lon Nol's pleased
reaction to the President's most recent letter and
to his apparent receptiveness to US suggestions
for administrative reforms in the army. Matak
stated tha-Lhe believes the prime minister is now
reconciled to a military force level of 220,000
men.
Although Matakwas still somewhat skeptical.
regarding thei good bill of
health recently given Lon Nol, he said that-th?
important.thing is for him to get adequate rest
and leave details to others.
Matak claimed that the politicaLatmosphere
is showing signs of stabilizing as meMory of the
redent military reverses on Route 6 recedes He
made.no mention of any cabinet changes-in'the near
future, other than the anticipated resignation of
Finance Minister Sok Chhong on the valid grounds
of ill health._
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
LAOS: PLAINE DES JARRES AREA
4
0 Miles
?le Government-held location
?Communist-held location
i.k IA Highpoint
7"-
.41
itP1?)41.1
\ ("7,, /;,-/??>
( ;-?- A
:/-
'1,
,?i-----, Jr
, ?
.4_[. A ,-T
iti ' id i,
----)..:,,i( ' It *
'Sela-Phou Khoun
41:5 ryiiles)?
4 7 ,7--
?
10
/ek
71
7
Nong
Pet
u ng Soul
/
hang Khay,
(
'N'")-N,L77?
'77
r
552383 1-72 CIA
vp,ejenet,./
Pha
-11#(
1.1'4 iNa
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
Laos: After a hiatus of two days, the North
Vietnamese have resumed their attacks on Long Tieng
and its immediate defenses. Last night they again
shelled the base with the 130-mm. field guns, and
at the same time overran an outpost three miles
north of Sam Thong. Radio direction finding indi-
cates that several North Vietnamese battalions have
filtered through the defense line between Phou Long
Mat and Pha Dong. Elements of the 174th Regiment
remain in position around Ban Na. To the west,
Pathet Lao and dissident Neutralist forces on 3 Jan-
uary overran a government outpost some ten miles
east of Sala Phou Khoun at the junction of Routes
7 and 13. There is, however, no evidence that main
force North Vietnamese units have moved westward
along Route 7.
Ecuador: With the campaign for general elec-
tions in June officially opening on Friday, a num-
ber of military plotters have indicated that they
might move against the Velasco government soon. The
expected early return from exile of Assad Bucaram,
a widely popular potential candidate, mi ht stir
rightists to move.I
The divergence and disunity among the plotters may
enable President Velasco to finish his term, how-
ever, and he might even call off the elections and
continue to rule with dictatorial powers as he has
since June 1970.
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010300030001-9