THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 18 JULY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993417
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: July 18, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
The President's Daily Brief
18 July 1972
Top Secret 25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RD-R79T06936A010900180001-7
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 5B(I1,(4.13)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
18 July 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
25X1
Egypt. 25X1
(Page 1)
The heavy fighting around Quang Tri City has tempo-
rarily subsided. There is some evidence, however,
that the North Vietnamese are bringing in new forces
on the government's western flank in order to attack
or block government forces in the rear. (Page 2)
The North Vietnamese may have begun minesweeping
near smaller port areas south of Vinh. (Page 3)
In Laos, the Communists appear to be pulling addi-
tional troops away from the Plaine des Jarres.
(Page 4)
The Soviets have given Chile $260 million in long-
term credits for the purchase of machinery and other
capital equipment. (Page 5)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
EGYPT-USSR
1
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
108 '
NORTH
VIETNA
THUA THIE
GUANO NAM
MR 1
THAILAND
OUANG IN
OUANG
NGAI
?KONTUM
BINH-\\?
DINH
ong Son
ass
CAM BOD A
PI-IU
BON
PHU
YEN
DARLAC
KHAN,
HOA
Mekong
QUANG
DUC
?
TAY
NINH
PHUOG
MNH LONG
LONG
TUYEN
OUC
NINH
"THUAN
LAM BONG
MNH
DUONG
CHAU
DOC
KMN
KMN TUONG
PHONG
AN
GUANO
El N
GMNG
HAU
NGHI
BMN
HOA
LONG
KHANH
VMH
LONG
Gulf of
Thailand
104
553351. 7-72
?
CHUONG
TM EN
$111b.MR 4
AN
XUYEN
106
-A-
PHUOC
TUY
R3
BMH
THUAN
Capital Special Zone
ANH
110
MR 2
South
China
SOUTH VIETNAM
118 MILES
,70
16-
14-
12-
110
?
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
VIETNAM
The heavy fighting around Quang Tri City has
temporarily subsided, but both sides appear to be
preparing for a sustained contest throughout the
area. Only small clashes northeast and south of
the city have been reported since the weekend, pre-
sumably because government forces currently are try-
ing to consolidate their positions and push deeper
into the province rather than merely effect a rapid
recapture of the city itself. The Communists are
relying primarily on intensive artillery and mortar
fire to slow the government drive, directing almost
1,000 rounds at government positions on Sunday.' -
There is some evidence that the North Vietnam-
ese are bringing in new forces on the government's
western flank in order to attack or block government
forces in the rear. Following their recent infil-
tration, the 95th Regiment of the 325th Division and
the 165th Regiment of the 312th have bypassed the
city and moved to the central part of Quang Tri Prov-
ince. In this same area there are also elements of
two other divisions--the recently identified North
Vietnamese 320B and the 308th. A number of inter-
cepts have stated that the Communists plan to strike
the South Vietnamese from the rear. One message
ordering forces within Quang Tri City to hold out
for at least a month implied that these troops were
to tie down the South Vietnamese until forces on
the outside could attack.
The Communists may also be planning actions
farther south to try to disrupt the government coun-
teroffensive. A regiment of the 324B Division has
recently been detected moving closer to Hue, where
it may add to the pressure on government defenses
along the western approach to the city.
The preliminary phase of a new government oper-
ation into northern Binh Dinh Province--designed to
recapture the three districts lost earlier in the
offensive--is meeting only light resistance so far.
Government troops reportedly have occupied sections
of the Bong Son Pass and have freed large numbers
of refugees. The bulk of the enemy action against
government forces has consisted of local force at-
tacks of limited duration. This suggests that Viet
Cong units in the area currently are charged with
holding off the operation until main force units
farther north can be refitted and resupplied.
2
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NORTH VIETNAM
Since the activation of mines in North Vietnam-
ese waters in early May, no minesweeping operations
have been observed in the deep water ports of Hai-
phong, Cam Pha, and Hon Gay. Beginning ten days
ago, however, US naval units on three occasions have
reported underwater explosions at smaller port areas
some 75 miles south of Vinh, particularly near Hon
La Island, and the explosions seem likely to have
resulted from minesweeping.
An intercept in mid-June offered the first
indication that the enemy might intend to
clear the mines. At that time Hanoi's
General Directorate of Marine Products
(responsible for administering the fish-
ing fleet) advised subordinate units oper-
ating between Vinh and the DMZ of a meet-
ing to be held on 27 June to discuss de-
struction of the mines, among other sub-
jects.
3
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
LAOS: Plaine des Jarres Area
AREA OF
MAIN MAP
Vientt ne
Vale Phou
Khotin
uong
Soul
Ban 44/- NV --N,
. R
VA th Re
Ttia 7am
\ Ble n hang-Kho
Sam T on
\ hou Ph,p4ii
? -,
Long Tien hoP a Dong
-,
k \ f
-Ban So
0 , 20 Mi es
L
' 10 20 Kilometers
553352 7-72 CIA
? Government-held location
? Communist-held location j
25X1
to
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
The North Vietnamese apparently are pulling ad--
ditional troops away from the Plaine des Jarres.
Communications intelligence indicates that major ele-
ments of the 335th Regiment have moved from the hills
on the northern periphery of the Plaine to the Ban
Ban area.
The Communists may be shifting their forces
to afford better protection to their rear
storage areas near Ban Ban from forays by
Vang Pao's irregulars. The regiment could,
however, be returning to North Vietnam.
Its communications patterns are similar to
those it used when it withdrew from the
Luang Prabang area to North Vietnam a year
ago. The North Vietnamese may plan to use
the regiment as part of a reserve combat
force to replace units currently moving
toward South Vietnam.
If the 335th withdraws, the North Vietnam-
ese will have only four infantry regiments
to defend the Plaine des Jarres area, one
less than they used in last year's rainy
season, The Communists are now strongly
resisting"Vang Pao's efforts to expand
government-controlled territory around
Long Tieng, but the withdrawal of the
335th would indicate that they have not
set a high priority on holding the Plaine
throughout the rainy season.
The departure,of the 335th, especially
during the current rainy season when the
government normally makes territorial
gains, could also mean that the Communists
are hoping to arrange a stand-down in mil-
itary, operations in the north in the com-
ing months.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR-CHILE
Moscow has given Santiago $260 million in long-
term credits for the purchase of machinery and other
capital equipment. At the same time, the USSR and
the other East European countries have provided
$40-50 million to finance current trade.
Announcement of the new credits follows
by only a month the receipt of a $65-mil-
lion credit from China. The new assist-
ance represents substantial Soviet support
for the Allende government.
Moscow's previous assistance to Chile was
limited to a $50-million short-term hard
currency credit and two long-term credits
totaling $97 million for project assist-
ance and machinery exports. Although
the long-term credits were provided in
1967 and 1971, the Chileans have just be-
gun to draw on them.
5
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Chinese-built road ? Road
---Trail
0 Miles 20
Chinese Roadbuilding in Northwest Laos
THAILAND.
553350 7-72 CIA
Mtiong 54?_y.L.
go-
(
u.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
25X1
2bAl
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTE
Laos: The Chinese are making improvements to
Route 46 between Muong Houn and Pak Beng. Photog-
raphy of 8 July shows that they are building bridges
and are widening and realigning the road. They
have also built three antiaircraft weapons sites on
the hills outside of Pak Beng, the road's terminus
on the Mekong River. We have no evidence that the
Chinese are preparing at this time to extend road
construction eastward from Route 46 into the Nam
Ou River Valley, although they did some survey work
there during the past dry season. No appreciable
progress was noted on the other major road construc-
tion project near the Sino-Laotian border between
Muong Sing and Nam Tha.
6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
_
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010900180001-7