THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 7 MARCH 1973

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005993763
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: March 7, 1973

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/06/14 : CIA-RDP79T00936A011500010058-6
The President's Daily Brief
7 March 1973
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption category 513(1).(2).(3)
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASTNGTON, D.C. 20505
7 March 1973
EYES ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT
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LATE ITEM
Fedayeen-Israel: Vehicles containing explo-
sives were found during the night outside three
separate buildings housing Israeli businesses in
New York City.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
7 March 1973
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Sudanese President Numayri is building a case for
treating the eight terrorists as separate from the
"Arab cause." (Page 1)
More troops have entered the infiltration pipeline
in North Vietnam. (Page 2)
Chinese construction crews continue to extend two
road spurs in northwest Laos. (Page 3)
In the Philippines, President Marcos has expressed
increased alarm over Muslim insurgency in the south
and has requested emergency deliveries of US mili-
tary equipment. (Page 4)
Egypt's President Sadat has imposed stricter censor-
ship and dismissed more writers in a renewal of his
campaign against those he believes are out of step
with his policies. (Page 5)
Prime Minister Papadopoulos is determined to take
strong measures in Greece, including reimposition of
martial law, unless order is quickly re-established
in the universities. (Page 5)
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
SUDAN-FEDAYELN
In his hard-hitting speech to the National As-
sembly yesterday, President Numayri not only charged
Fatah--the largest and most heavily funded of the
fedayeen_organizations-with,responsibility for the
recent assassinations but went on to denounce it
for actually working against the Sudanese Govern-
ment. He said Fatah had contacts with anti-regime
forces in and out of the country, that it was try-
ing to embarrass Sudan by staging the Khartoum op-
eration, and that it was attempting to stir up
trouble between Sudan and Eritrea. At the same
time, he pointed out that Sudan's support for the
Palestinian cause is well known.
By connecting the assassinations to more
general anti-regime activity, Numayri ap-
parently is building a case for treating
the eight terrorists as separate from the
"Arab cause." Regarded in this light,
Numayri can maintain that they are subject
to severe punishment free from outside
pressure.
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VIETNAM
More troops have entered the infiltration pipe-
line in North Vietnam. An intercepted North Vietnam-
ese message disclosed that two infiltration groups
totaling more than 1,100 combat troops will move
through the Vinh area on 10 and 11 March. Both
groups are earmarked for the two northern provinces
of South Vietnam, and they should arrive by early
April.
2 other groups--.
may have
area unde-
Vietnamese
have started
moved south toward the same
tected. North
troops are now estimated to
.south since
feet.
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the cease-fire went into ef- 25X1
Since early September 1972, approximately
85,000 North Vietnamese troops have
started south--about the same number that
departed during the 1971-72 dry season.
The Communists suffered heavy casualties
in South Vietnam last year, and current
infiltration is intended to rebuild
forces in the northern and southern por-
tions of the country. The flow of fresh
troops to the central part of South Viet-
nam has not been heavy, and it appears
that the Communists are not fully replac-
ing losses in this area.
Continued infiltration since the cease-
fire indicates Hanoi's intention to main-
tain a relatively large force in South
Vietnam thereby enabling it to retain
the option for military or political ac-
tion.
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0 Government-held location
? Communist-held location
? Chinese-built road
Road
Trail
Lai Chau
ien
Bien
Phu
if k
f
-4,00
THAILANC!
554201 3-73 CIA
"t:??-7
, ? ,Muong
o
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LAOS
Chinese crews in northwest Laos have extended
a motorable road, begun late last year from Nam Tha
near the China border, some 45 miles to the south-
west. Aerial photography also shows preliminary
clearing extending on toward an existing road lead-
ing north from Ban Houei Sai, a government-held town
on the Mekong River bordering Thailand.
At their present pace, Chinese crews could
easily connect the two roads before the
onset of the rainy season in mid-May.
When the Chinese built a road to Pak Beng,
some 20 miles north of the Thai border,
in mid-1972, Thai leaders expressed con-
siderable concern. If the new construc-
tion continues toward Ban Houei Sai, Bang-
kok's anxiety over Peking's intentions
? will be further aroused.
Photography revealed that the
Chinese are stil_ working on a road leading from
Muong Sing--also near the China border--toward
Burma. Preliminary clearing extends to within 11
miles of the Burma border on the Mekong.
No government units are in this area, and
a motorable road could be completed before
the rains begin.
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PHILIPPINES
President Marcos on Monday requested emergency
deliveries of US military equipment--particularly
helicopters--to overcome what he calls a deterio-
rating military situation in the south. Marcos
claims that Muslim actions are "taking on the na-
ture of a definite secessionist movement," and he
raised the specter of another Bangladesh.
A government military campaign recently
launched against Muslim strongholds ap-
parently found the insurgents better for-
tified and armed than ex.ected.1
Government spokesmen are publicly blaming "for-
eign interests" for contributing to rebel strength.
Within diplomatic channels, Marcos is being more
explicit, charging Malaysia with providing arms and
training.
Public charges of foreign involvement
may be intended to rally popular nation-
alist sentiment and boost support for
Marcos' regime. These charges, on the
other hand, could have serious consequences
for the continued development of the As-
sociation of Southeast Asian Nations and
for regional unity in general.
By expressing greater alarm about the
long-standing Muslim problem, Marcos ap-
parently believes he improves his chances
of persuading the US to increase its mil-
itary aid program. Marcos' request for
US military aid may also be designed to
obtain tangible evidence of Washington's
support for his administration.
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NOTES
Egypt: President Sadat has imposed stricter
censorship and dismissed 65 more writers in a re-
newal of his campaign against those he believes are
out of step with his policies. Journalists and edi-
tors are particulary suspect to Sadat because many
are leftist-oriented. In addition to internal ef-
fects, Sadat believes that domestic criticism and
the appearance of disunity hamper his diplomatic
efforts to deal with the Israeli dispute.
Greece: Prime Minister Papadopoulos is furi-
ous over the continuing student unrest. He is de-
termined to take' strong measures, including reim-
posing martial law, unless order is quickly re-es-
tablished in the universities. Papadopoulos and
other Greek leaders are worried that the dissidence
will spill over into other segments of society.
Some students have returned to classes, but a vocal
minority in Athens University continues to protest.
South Vietnam: Activity among potential "third-
force" aspirants is picking up. Big Minh, one of
the more prominent such figures, has publicly sig-
naled his availability, although in private he indi-
cated he was more interested in a government posi-
tion than a role in the National Council of Recon-
ciliation and Concord. Some An Quang Buddhists and
South Vietnamese exiles are interested in serving
on the NCNRC, however. Both the Communists and the
Thieu government are continuing their attempts to
influence potential "neutralists." The Viet Cong,
for instance, are urging their exile contacts in
Paris to return to South Vietnam so as not to be
overshadowed by third-force elements they do not con-
trol, such as Minh and former emperor Bao Dai.
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Top Secret
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