THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 3 APRIL 1973

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993787
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: April 3, 1973

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
The President's Daily Brief
3 April 1973
L5
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Exempt from general
declassification scheduk of E.O. 11652
exemption category 513(1),(2),(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
t-LPI-C It-It HI-Vt.11_,C.INI I
T. . CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
TEP s7s:fr
April 3, 1973
h):3 ctl:*7 TT 7
A
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
25X1
2
EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19: CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
3 April 1973
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Cambodian President Lon Nol's controversial brother,
General Lon Non, is reported to have resigned from
the government. (Page 1)
Phnom Penh's reserves of gas and diesel fuel are
almost exhausted. (Page 2)
The latest Pathet Lao proposals have lessened Vien-
tiane's hopes for the early formation of a new gov-
ernment. (Page 3)
Chinese road construction crews in northwestern Laos
evidently have reached the Burmese border. (Page 4)
Venezuela and chile reportedly intend to propose
softening the policy of sanctions against Cuba in
the course of.the OAS General Assembly that starts
tomorrow. (Page 5)
Juan Peron intends to concentrate on strengthening
Argentina's ties with Western Europe. (Page 6)
Malaysi
(Page 7)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19: CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
? President Lon Nol's controversial brother, Brig-
adier General Lon Non, has told associ-
ates that he has resigned from the government and
that the resignation was accepted
The general claimed that he had
acted as a public gesture of reconciliation to help
unify the country.
The resignation, if confirmed, would help
reduce the government's inefficiency by
lessening Lon Non's ability to interfere
with day-to-day operations from his poet
in the Interior Ministry. He will remain
a major source of contention, however, by
virtue of his continuing high influence
with his brother.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CAMBODIA
Phnom Penh's reserves of some petroleum prod-
ucts are almost exhausted, according to the US Em-
bassy. Unless stringent rationing measures are
enforced and the Mekong River corridor is reopened
to supply convoys, the city could be out of gas and
diesel fuel by the week's end.
The most recent regular supply convoy reached
/Phnom Penh from South Vietnam on March 20.
The Khmer insurgents now control about 20 miles
of the river north of the government base at Neak
Luong. Major elements of three--and possibly four--
insurgent regiments, or up to 4,000 men, are known
to be in the area. During the past ten days the
government has assigned two infantry brigades and,
several battalions of paratroops from Phnom Penh's
general reserves--some 5,000 men in all--to clear
the area.
The government troops have shown little
taste for combat, however, and have made
no progress so far. Army Chief of Staff
Fernandez is reluctant to reinforce them
from his dwindling reserve because this
might lead to territorial losses else-
where.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19: CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
After studying the proposals submitted by the
Pathet Lao last week, Vientiane is now less opti-
mistic about prospects for the early formation of
a new government. Government negotiator Pheng.
Phongsavan claims that differences on the composi-
tion of a, coalition cabinet could be easily re-
solved. The Communists insist, however, that new
political arrangements must await agreement on mil-
itary matters.
The two sides remain far apart on three
important military issues:
--The Pathet Lao reportedly refuse to
grant supervisory power to the Lao Joint
Commission and the International Control
Commission.
--They are pressing for a formal demarca-
tion of zones of control, which Lao Prime
Minister Souvanna has said would Lead to
de facto partition.
--The Pathet Lao want to demilitarize
Vientiane and Luang Prabang, a move un-
acceptable to the Lao Army and civilian
rightists.
This is the first time the Communists
have specifically addressed themselves
to these issues, which were left vague
in the peace agreement. Their initial
tough stance suggests that negotiations
will be protracted.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
? Government-held location
? Communist-held location
?Chinese-built road 0 Miles 20
Road
--- Trail
7,1
Chinese Road Network in Northwest Laos
NOR'H\1
Lai Chau
Dien
Bien
Phu
an-Hou
THAILAND
554279 4-73 CIA
Jib
;.e-?
?
',Muting
ti) ? ?,e
%(' C7 .7.1?1 ? Y
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19: CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
CHINA-LAOS
Chinese
road construction crews in extreme northwestern
Laos have reached the Mekong River, which forms
the Lao-Burmese border. An old logging road has
been cleared and repaired and is motorable to
within eight miles of the river.
The Chinese are also working on Route 3,
which goes southwest from the Pathet Lao
administrative center at Nam Tha toward
Ban Houei Sai, a government-held Mekong
town on the Thai border. Construction
on Route 3 has not advanced since mid-
March and terminates 23 miles from a
serviceable spur that would link it to
Ban Houei Sai.
Still another road leading toward the
Thai border ends at Pak Beng.
4
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LATIN AMERICA
During the OAS General Assembly that begins in
Washington tomorrow, Venezuela and Chile reportedly
intend to propose changes in the policy of sanctions
against Cuba.
Any such Venezuelan move will carry con-
siderable impact. For in 1964 and 1967
Caracas took the lead in developing the
sanctions, charging that Cuba was sponsor-
ing subversion in its territory. Since
the two-thirds majority needed to rescind
the sanctions probably is unattainable now,
the revisionists are counting on using a
broadly worded resolution to gain a simple
majority that might carry moral impact.
In addition, both Panama and Peru are expected
to propose reorganization schemes that will reduce
US influence in the OAS. They will probably urge
that separate economic and political bodies be cre-
ated, and that OAS headquarters be moved to a Latin
American city. They also want to reduce the predom-
inant power of the US in the Inter-American Develop-
ment Bank.
None of these specific organizational pro-
posals can get majority support at this
time. The Assembly will provide a forum,
however, for articulating grievances
against the US.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
ARGENTINA
Juan Peron, who apparently will guide the for-
eign policy of the newly elected government, is al-
ready concentrating on establishing closer relations
with Western Europe.
Both Peron and President-elect Campora received
red carpet treatment in Italy, where they met last
week to discuss strategy for the Peronist government
that is to be inaugurated on May 25. The two men
met separately with President Leone and Prime Minis-
ter Andreotti, and Campora later met with Spanish
leaders in Madrid, where Peron has lived in exile.
On returning to Argentina, Campora told the
press that Peron had decided not to attend the in?
-
auguration but instead would serve as Argentina's
"super-ambassador to Europe." 'According to Campora,
the 77-year-old former dictator will contact Euro-
pean commercial and financial leaders and arrange
for Campora to meet with Pompidou and Brandt.
If Peron restricts himself to foreign af-
fairs and works primarily from his base
in Spain, the chance of open opposition
by the military will be reduced.
Meanwhile, the armed forces are trying to
steal a march on the Peronists by estab-
lishing diplomatic relations with Cuba
before Campora's inauguration, but Castro
probably prefers to wait and deal with
Campora.
6
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19: CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
NOTES
Malaysia-Philippines-Indonesia:
USSR-US: Premier Kosygin)
discussed several aspects of Soviet economic rela-
tions with the US. Kosygin said that inflation, the
instability of the dollar, and the one-sided nature
of current US-Soviet trade are vexing the Soviets.
It was clear that the Soviets would like massive
long-term credits on easy payment terms; Kosygin
suggested, for example, the USSR might borrow from
the large dollar pool in Western Europe to buy more
US equipment. He said this equipment could then be
used to produce Soviet goods for sale both in Europe
and the US. Kosygin also appeared to be calling for
longer payment terms for grain purchases.
Peru: President Velasco has officially resumed
his responsibilities and will preside over a cabinet
session today at Lima's central military hospital.
The regime has invited the press to attend
Ethiopia:
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
(continued)
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
21
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Pakistan-Bangladesh: The division of, debt re-
sponsibility between Pakistan and Bangladesh remains
unresolved following the aid consortium's separate
meetings with the two parties during the past ten
days. Bangladesh still refuses to accept Any:por-
tion of Pakistan's external debt, while Islamabad
continues to insist that after June 30 Dacca should
assume the debts of former East' Pakistan, The con-
sortium has informed both sides that it will make
no new pledges of aid, except for humanitarian as-
sistance, until the dispute is resolved.
8
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00-936A01-1600010001-7
Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/19 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011600010001-7