THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 12 MAY 1972

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993295
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: May 12, 1972

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010700110001-6
The President's Daily Brief
12 May 1972
33
Top Secret
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
12 May 1972
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
On Page 1 we comment on yesterday's statements by
the Soviet and Chinese governments on US actions
in Vietnam)
In South Vietnam, the Communists are continuing in-
tense artillery and ground attacks at An Loc.
(Page 3)
Vang Pao's forces in northern Laos are moving to
take advantage of the recent withdrawal of Commu-
nist units from the hills southwest of the Plaine
des Jarres. (Page 5)
Egypt
(Page 6)
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SOVIET UNION- CHINA VIETNAM
Yesterday's Soviet Government statement on US
actions in Vietnam does not commit Moscow to any
particular course of action and can be construed as
a play for time. It depicts the US.move more as an
international crime than as a direct challenge.to-
the USSR. It does not specifically criticize Pres-
ident-Nixon. It makes no reference to the summit
meeting, implying that no decision to cancel it has
yet been taken. Its reiteration of support to North
Vietnam is minimal.
In insisting that only negotiations can solve
the Vietnamese problem, the Soviet statement repeats
none of the specifics of the DRV's terms. Instead,
it calls merely for the US to return to the nego-
tiating table in Paris. Premier Kosvqin met with
Xuan Thuy yesterday
The stance in Moscow and around the world seems
to be a business-as-usual approach/
(continued)
1
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The Soviet ship Grisha Akopyan, hit during an
air raid at Cam Pha early this week, has been aban-
doned and towed out of the harbor. According to an
intercept, one crewman has died of wounds.
The statement the Chinese Government issued yes-
terday. regarding Vietnam is generally consistent
with Peking's restrained and moderate reaction so
far to the new phase of the war. Although it con-
demned the latest US military measures as a "grave
step," the statement does not characterize them as
a threat, challenge, or provocation to China. The
statement also does not attack President Nixon per-
sonally.
Nothing in the statement commits Peking to a
course of action with respect to the mining of North
Vietnamese ports
Indeed, in speaking of US naval and air actions, Pe-
king limits itself to saying that they are a provoca-
tion "against the people of Vietnam and the people
of the whole world.". This statement closely paral-
lels the "Commentator" article which appeared earlier
in yesterday's edition of People's Daily..
Peking media have been rerunning commentary
originating in North Vietnam and North Korea on the
President's actions. These articles are consider-
ably stronger than those written by the Chinese them-
selves, but in reproducing them the Chinese have.
carefully edited out all unfavorable personal refer-
ences to President Nixon and to the Nixon Doctrine.
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108 110
Demilitarized Zone
'OLFAN0'NAM
MR 1
THAILAND
LAOS
,
OLLAI:40 flN
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PLEIKU
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Gulf of
Thailand
104
553047 5-72
AN
XUYEN
MR 4
116
R3
Capital Special Zone
MR2
South
China
Sea
SOUTH VIETNAM
190
16-
14?
12-
10-
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SOUTH VIETNAM
South Vietnamese forces defending An Loc are
still holding out today against intense enemy ar-
tillery and ground attacks all around the town's
perimeter. The Communists launched new tank as-
saults this morning, and unconfirmed press reports
state that some tanks have entered the northern
part of An Loc.
Northwest of Saigon in Hau Nghia Province, gov-
ernment territorial forces and units from the South
Vietnamese 25th Division have recaptured three out-
posts that the Communists had overrun on 10 May.
Fightina continues southwest of Trang Bang District
town
(continued)
3
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The North Vietnamese continue to shell govern-
ment positions north and west of Hue, but there have
been no major new ground attacks.
Quang Ngai Province, at the southern end of
MR 1, may be a new major enemy target. Government
forces have been stretched thin there following the
transfer of troops north to help defend Hue.
There is still a considerable reservoir
of support for the enemy among the vil-
lagers of this province, and many of them
are likely to help the North Vietnamese
against the government.
President Thieu has promulgated some stiff con-
trol measures to strengthen the national resistance
to the Communist offensive. Following his procla-
mation of martial law on Wednesday, Thieu's govern-
ment has announced that private homes can be searched
at any time and private property requisitioned to
meet urgent military needs. High schools and univer-
sities are to remain closed for the time being, and
the nighttime curfew has been extended throughout
the country.
Thieu still wants additional emergency decree
4
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
LAOS
yang Pao's forces encountered no opposition
when they reoccupied Sam Thong, the former refugee
center which has been in Communist hands since mid-
March. A company of North Vietnamese, however, on
9 May attacked and halted a government task force
attempting to move from Pha Dong to Phou Pha Sai, a
strategic highpoint overlooking the southern Plaine
des Jarres. Another North Vietnamese force has
pushed a small irregular contingent from Ban Na,
which had been reoccupied without opposition earlier
this week.
The North Vietnamese also appear to be prepar-
ing to counter government forces in the Tha Tam
Bleung area, northeast of Sam Thong. Several enemy
trucks were sighted moving toward this area on 9
May, and intercepts disclose that the Communists
are keeping the irregulars under close surveillance.
This year, as in the past, Vang Pao is
attempting to recapture during the rainy
season as much of the territory between
the Plaine des Jarres and Lono Tieno as
is possible.
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EGYPT-USSR
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Cuba:
NOTES
Honduras:
7
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Top Secret
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A010700110001-6