THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 26 FEBRUARY 1973

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993755
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: February 26, 1973

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011500010050-4
The President's Daily Brief
26 February 1973
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 51E1),(2),(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
26 February 1973
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
We now have evidence that some North Vietnamese
troops entered the infiltration pipeline after the
cease-fire on 28 January. Substantial quantities
of supplies also continue to move southward.
(Page 1)
The Laotian Communists evidently are cutting down
their military action to help get talks started on
carrying out the cease-fire. (Page 2)
On Page 3 we discuss a somewhat fragmented account
of an indirect contact between the Cambodian Govern-
ment and Sihanouk's in-country "Interior Minister."
Iran reports a record seizure of opium from a truck
near the Afghanistan border. (Page 4)
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logistic
a vity
Se a
SavaruL et
Sarav.
9211
Thateng
554182 2-73 CIA
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VIETNAM
We now have evidence that some North Viet-
namese troops entered the infiltration pipeline
after the cease-fire on 28 January. North Viet-
namese messages indicate that five infiltration
groups--about 1,600 men in all--passed through
a way station near the Ban Karai Pass between
10 and 14 February. It takes about ten days to
travel from Vinh to this area.
Including these five, a total of 16 new in-
filtration groups are moving southward in southern
Laos. Nearly all are infantry troops. There are
indications that five additional groups have passed
through the system undetected.
We estimate that some 23,000 troops have
left North Vietnam for infiltration into
the South since 1 January. Of the total,
approximately. 13,000 are earmarked for
the southern portion of South Vietnam,
while 10,000 are headed for the central
and northern parts of the country. The
many groups which appear to be traveling
by truck should reach their destinations
in the next few weeks.
The Communists also are sending substantial
quantities of supplies southward to facilities near
the Ban Karai Pass, apparently for shipment into
southern Laos. According to a field translation
of a message of 23 February, some 1,100 trucks
moved about 4,300 tons of food, ordnance, and other
cargo through this area between 1-and 22 February.
Later intercepts indicate that heavy logistic ac-
tivity continued in this area on the 23rd and 24th.
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LAOS
GULF
OF
'TONKIN
Savannakhe
5541.81 2-73 CIA
6Government controlled ?
0 Communist controlled
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Recent messages indicate that the Communists
want to get talks in Vientiane started on imple-
menting the cease-fire. According to a message of
25 February, Hanoi has ordered its units in the
Plaine des Jarres area to stop initiating attacks
against government forces. Similar messages have
been relayed to North Vietnamese units operating
in the central panhandle.
Meanwhile, Communist negotiator Phoun Sipraseuth
says that he expects the military subcommittee to
produce a "protocol of implementation of the cease-
fire" no later than 28 February. Pathet Lao spokes-
man Soth Phetrasy adds that at the first session,
scheduled for today, the Communists will table four
items: application of the cease-fire, withdrawal
of foreign forces, POWs, and supervision and control
of the cease-fire. The government, for its part,
has drawn up a list of proposed cease-fire violation
checkpoints. The bulk of them are in the north and
several are along the Chinese-constructed road net-
work. According to a Canadian ICC official, even
if the Communist timetable of 28 February is met,
ICC teams could not move into the field until 8
March at the earliest.
The level.ofmilitary activity-began to taper
off, during the weekend, but both sides Continued to
maneuver to expand their holdings. On the Bolovens
Plateau',, the Communists rebuffed an initial-govern-
ment effort to push back into the Paksong area.
Farther north-, government forces moving along Route
13 north, of Thakhek were dispersed following a sharp
ground attack and are now retreating toward the town.
Government forces near the Plaine des Jarres were
pushed back from several high-ground positions they
have been trying to establish overlooking Xieng
Khouangville and also lost several small outposts
near Bouam Long.
In a radio broadcast yesterday, the Pathet Lao
outlined the territory they consider to have con-
trolled at the time of the cease-fire. The Commu-
nists laid claim to the entire "Bolovens Region,"
specifically including government-occupied Thateng
as well as Saravane, Paksong, and Lao Ngam. In the
central panhandle Muong Phalane was the only place
of significance mentioned. In the north-, the broad-
cast noted' that prior to the cessation of hostilities
Pathet Lao forces controlled the "Plaine des Jarres -
Xieng.Khouang Region," Muong Soui, and the far north-
western post of Nam Yu., but also claimed the Sala
Phou Khounrcrossroads and Muong Mounge near the
Burmese border--both still in government hands.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
The Cambodian Government
made contact with Hou Youn, Sihanouk's in-country
"Minister of Interior."
a go-between for First
Minister Hang Thun Hak, says he has met Hou Youn
twice.
Hou Youn maintained he is opposed to a Communist
system for Cambodia and anxious to stop the fighting
provided the government demonstrates its sincerity
by naming trustworthy negotiators. Hou Youn left
the impression, however, that pro-Hanoi and other
pro-Sihanouk elements of the insurgency do not
share his interest in negotiations and support a
prolonged conflict.
Hou Youn indicated
he is more favorably, disposed toward the US and the
Soviet Union than toward China. He said any nego-
tiations would have to be arranged under the auspices
of'Washington, Peking, and Moscow and be held in a
neutral country.
The account underscores the insurgents'
factionalism, which is certain to impede
any quick settlement of the Cambodian
problem.
If,President Lon Nol allows Hak to keep
this channel open, subsequent contacts
may shed more light on who really leads
the insurgency and where the loyalties
of these leaders lie.
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NOTES
Iran: Earlier this month Iranian authOrities-
confiscated,someA.2,7.tons of opium, the lar est'
single haul., taken anywhere in the world.
In vigorously, moving to halt the illicit
opium traffic the Shah has provided his anti-nar-
cotic forces with such tools as troop-carrying heli-
copter gunships, off-road motorcycles, and night
vision equipment. Substantial cash awards provide
further incentive for tight enforcement.
Israel - Arab States: The current inclination
of Arab governments in the aftermath of Wednesday's
downing of a Libyan airliner appears to be primarily
toward political action. Despite continued Arab
talk of retaliation, no serious anti-Israeli actions
have been launched,,and'there is no evidence to sup-
port press reports that Libyan fighters have been
ordered to search for and destroy Israeli airliners
over the Mediterranean. The general furor over the
shootdown, remains high, however, and isolated anti-
Israeli incidents could occur.
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Top Secret
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