THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 8 OCTOBER 1969

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005977027
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: October 8, 1969

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The President's Daily Brief
8 October 1969
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The format of THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF has been
changed. One major objective of the new format is to make' more
readily apparent the distinction between the essential facts of a
situation and CIA's best analytic judgment as to the implications of
these facts. To this end, regular typeface will be used to present the
facts, and italics for our analytic comment. Italics will also be used to
sketch in essential background information, to point up the intelli-
gence problems associated with certain developments, and on occa-
sion for the Director of Central Intelligence's personal observations
on particularly sensitive matters.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
8 October 1969
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Moscow's willingness to discuss the border problem
may take some of the sting out of the propaganda
blast that accompanied Radio Peking's announcement.
(Page 1)
The Soviet Government, through its mouthpiece,
Pravda, has accused the US of "bad faith" in the
Middle East negotiations. (Page 2)
The NATO allies have some serious reservations about
the US - Soviet draft treaty on seabeds arms control.
(Page 3)
India
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(Page 4)
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COMMUNIST CHINA - USSR
According to a UPI report from Moscow, Vas lily
Kuznetsov, First Deputy Foreign Minister, will go
to Peking on 20 October to discuss the border prob-
lem. By responding promptly to Communist China's
radio broadcast announcing the talks, and by naming
a top-level diplomat as negotiator, the USSR may
minimize the impact of the propaganda that accom-
panied the Chinese announcement.
Radio Peking's statement attempted to place the
onus for the present border situation on Moscow and
stressed China's constant quest for a peaceful set-
tlement of the dispute. Peking's concern over the
situation, however, was highlighted by further al-
lusions to "nuclear war threats" by Moscow and a
disavowal of any Chinese intent to launch a nuclear
attack.
Peking renewed its contention that the present
boundary is based on "unequal treaties" imposed on
China, but stressed that it "had never demanded"
the return of territory lost to Russia--the least
provocative presentation of China's basic position
to date. The statement then urged that, in the
absence of a final settlement, the "status quo of
the border" be maintained and such steps as troop
withdrawals be taken to avert further armed con-
flict.
The Chinese announcement is the latest
step in a process begun last month at the
meeting between Kosygin and Chou En-Zai.
the two men
reacnea a tentatsve agreement on border
discussions. Since then Peking and Mos-
cow have continued a dialogue on the bor-
der situation, although Peking initially
failed to reciprocate Moscow's stand-down
on propaganda after the Kosygin-Chou talks.
More recently the Chinese softened their
attacks against the USSR during their Na-
tional Day ceremonies on 1 October, and
there has been a sharp drop in Peking's
domestic anti-Soviet propaganda.
The proposed border talks will not resolve
the fundamental political differences be-
tween the two states. Nevertheless, given
the tactical flexibility suggested by the
Chinese statement, the talks will prob-
ably result in steps to reduce the level
of tension now existing on the frontier.
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USSR - MIDDLE EAST
The Soviet press has accused the US of "bad
faith" in the Middle East peace negotiations. On 2
October a Pravda editorial signed "Observer"--an
in-
dication of high-level authorship or approval--
charged that the US. had agreed to give Israel more
arms at the same time it was carrying on negotiations
with the USSR for a Middle East settlement. The edi-
torial also blamed the US for Israel's refusal to im-
plement UN resolutions on withdrawal and its rejec-
tion of efforts to arrange a settlement.
The charge of US bad faith has been picked up ,
by other Soviet. media. In addition to radio and tele-
vision commentaries, both Pravda and Izvestiya have
warned that Prime Minister Meir's visit to the US.
has made a peaceful settlement more difficult than
ever, accusing the US of "duplicity" and "sabotage."
These.articles are clearly intended to keep
up pressure on the US and Israel for con-
cessions. There is also a chance, although
it is still too early to be certain, that
they reflect a new and more gloomy Soviet
appraisal of the prospects for a diplomatic
settlement.
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NATO
At the North Atlantic Council meeting on Monday
the allies expressed substantial reservations about
the US-Soviet draft treaty on seabeds arms control.
They did not object to the US offering the document
at Geneva, but some members were displeased with the
short time afforded them for study. None would en-
dorse the substance of the proposal in its entirety.
The allies reserved the right to discuss the treaty
further at the NAC and the UN.
The attitudes evident at the NAC meeting
indicate the allies will be pressing for
a fuller voice' in future arms control talks.
Those who are also members of the disarma-
ment conference probably will raise sub-
stantive objections at Geneva.
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NOTES
West Germany:
India - North Vietnam:
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Top Secret
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