THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 8 FEBRUARY 1971

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005992467
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: February 8, 1971

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The President's Daily Brief
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8 February 1971
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
8 February 1971
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
In northern Laos, the Communists have seized three
outposts guarding the eastern approaches to Long
Tieng, and are continuing their buildup in the area.
(Page 1)
For the second time in recent days, the Moscow press
has commented on specific SALT issues in dispute,
this time criticizing the US attitude on an initial
ABM-only agreement. (Page 2)
On Page 3 we assess the meeting of the Polish central
committee held this past weekend.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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LAOS/PLAINE DES JAR RES.
Communist mortar
attacks
ng Prabang
Sala
Phou Khou
?
ong
Soul
Khang Khay
Nong
7 et
Ban
en Khouangvilla
NORTH
VIETNAM
enem9v
'
N
THAILAND
550935 2-71 CIA
THAILAND
? Government-held location
? Communist-held location
SIACIUTE MILES
(sane
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
Communist units yesterday overran three govern-
ment irregular outposts guarding the eastern approaches
to the base at Long Tieng. The commander of one of
these positions--a mobile group headquarters about
nine miles northeast of Long Tieng--was killed. A
fourth position in the area is surrounded while some
others northwest and northeast of Ban Na have also
been attacked. Both Ban Na and Sam Thong have been
the target of rocket attacks in the last two days.
While the precise timing of any Communist
drives southwest of the Plaine des Jarres
is not yet clear, the continued buildup of
forces in the area indicates that the Com-
munists 'lan to ollow u
tacks.
ments o
ea-I-men
316th Division reflect continuing Combat
Preparations. In addition.
t at-
eZe-
o t e NVA
elements
regiments of the 312th Division are
general area of Ban Na.
The Communists have continued to harass a number
of government positions northeast of Luang Prabang
with mortar fire, but, have caused: little recent dam-
age or casualties. Government artillery fire, which
can be heard in the royal capital, is keeping local
residents on edge and producing a rash of rumors
about Communist intentions.
of two
in the
Vientiane
has already been put on a semialert status, largely
as a precaution against possible sapper attacks.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
USSR-SALT
An Izvestiya article on Saturday used Western
press reporting on Ambassador Smith's remarks last
week beford a congressional committee as a peg to
criticize the US attitude toward an initial ABM-only
agreement. Izvestiya claimed that Smith's audience
was "puzzled by his extremely negative approach to
such a practical step." The article charged that
Smith was trying to prejudice the views of those
American legislators and scientists who favor an
ABM-only agreement. Izvestiya labeled this a "rather,
peculiar situation."
As discussed in The President's Daily Brief,
of 4 February, earlier last week an article
in Pravda on forward-based systems broke
the USSR's public silence on contentious
SALT issues. The articles show anew de-
termination to increase pressures for con-
cessions from the US, and are likely to
be followed by further propaganda attacks
leading up to the renewal of talks on 15
March.
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
POLAND
Gierek used the long-delayed party central committee
session held over the weekend to explain and assign
blame for past errors and to chart a generaZ course
for the immediate future. The cliquey surrounding
Gomulka and his already ousted politburo associates,
economic czar Boleslaw Jaszczuk and ideologist Zenon
Kliszko, were tagged with responsibility for condi-
tions that Zed up to the December upheaval. Jaszczuk
and KZiszko were stripped of their central committee
membership, and the hospitalized Gomulka suspended.
Two others were dropped from the politburo, with no
replacements announced. Further changes may hem
the offing.
In a brief sketch of the months ahead in his closing
speech, Gierek advocated strengthening the features
that have characterized his seven weeks of rule,
including greater popular participation in govern-
ment at all levels, a continuing direct dialogue
with the workers, a rejuvenation of the trade unions,
and a greater role for parliament. However, he ap-
peared determined to make clear that the leading
role of the party is not be be challenged.
In sum, the plenum has given the Polish people a
general promise that the party will consider new
political and economic measures but little hope of
any more immediate relief. Gierek is trying to
convince them that a new start has been made with-
out opening doors that could lead to an erosion of
party control over the country.
The next step will come with the party congress--
to be advanced from next year when previously sched-
uled, although no date is yet set. Gierek will use
that session to install more of his own men in the
central committee and possibly to gain endorsement
for more fundamental policy moves.
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NOTE
North Vietnam: Reports are circulating in
Hanoi that Truong Chinh, the second-ranking member-
of the party hierarchy, is either seriously ill or
dead. Chinh, who only recently returned from his
second trip in two and a half years to East Germany
for medical treatment, has not been seen publicly
since 26 January and was conspicuously missing from
the round of official appearances normally made by
top leaders during the Tet holidays. While Hanoi's
leaders appear in agreement on the need to respond
to the demands of the broadened Indochina conflict,
Chinh's death or incapacitation would remove a figure
who has at times questioned the regime's heavy pri-
ority to the war effort in relation to domestic con-
siderations.
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Top Secret
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