INFORMATION ITEMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-553-8-34-2
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 28, 2012
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: October 19, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

? MEMORANDUM
No Objection to Declassification in Part2012/12/28: LOC-HAK-553-8-34-2
October 19, 1971
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TILE PRESIDEIIT 11AS SEEN..
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT :
THE PRESIDENT
)
HENRY A. KISSINGER
Information Items
Cambodia: With the National Assembly now transformed into a
constituent assembly, the government is in a position to rule
by decree indefinitely. It may be some time before a new
constitution is adopted and another legislature is convened.
Lon Nol and Sirik Matak probably decided against extending
the term of the Assembly or dismissing it entirely for the
following reasons:
to eliminate the need for obtaining approval of govern
ment.programs from a legislature dominated by civilian
opposition elements and,
--~ to soften the adverse reactions that might have been
generated by the outright dismissal of the Assembly,
whose term expired on October 18.
The government is apparently confident that its action will not
provoke a political reaction of serious proportions. However,
this development is only the latest in a series of moves designed
to increase the power of Lon Nol and Sirik Matak, and at least
potential dangers will persist as long as the political transi-
tion from collective leadership to a strong single executive
continues.
Indochina Military Activity: Except for two clashes in Military
Region 3, ground combat activity was generally light and sporadic
throughout South Vietnam. In Military Region 3, ARVN forces,
DOS Reviews
completed
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Kosygin in Rowdy Ottawa: The Embassy reports that Soviet
Premier Kosygin has been confronted by violent demonstrators,
bomb threats, and one assailant who knocked the Russian leader
off his feet, during his first twenty-four hours in the Canadian
captial. The demonstrators are thought to be Canadian Jews
protesting the plight of Soviet Jews and assorted national
minority groups.including Hungarians, Ukranians, and Lithuanians.
Demonstrations have probably exceeded even the negative antici-
pation of the government, and press reports find security
arrangements either lax or inefficient. Some Canadians are
fearful of worse when Kosygin travels to places where security
elements are more inexperienced, and antagonistic crowds more
numerous. Late press reports-also indicate that Rabbi Kahane,
former head of the Jewish Defense League, was detained by
immigration officials at Montreal International Airport last
night.
The Embassy further reports that Premier Kosygin and Prime
Minister Trudeau discussed international rather than bilateral
questions yesterday. Kosygin raised the issue of India-Pakistan
and with unusual animation emphasized the seriousness of the
,problem, stcLUag that Pakistan had created the problem and
now should solve it. The Premier seemed to come alive only
on this issue even to the point of waving his arms, but offered
no solution other than demanding that Pakistan create the
conditions to relax the situation.
?t _
Indo-Pak Tensions: You may have noted increased press attention
here over the weekend on the military situation in South Asia
with coverage of charges of massing troops and war preparedness
in both India and Pakistan. This results from two causes:
(a) while we have been aware of the increased military prepared-
fiess on both sides for some time, the press is just beginning
O to catch up with those reports; and (b) there was special interest
his weekend in a report that President Yahya had publicly
mentioned the possibility of troop pullback and the Indian
Defense Minister had rejected that proposal.
t the same time, while war by accident remains a real possi-
bil:ity, all levels of Indian officialdom, including Mrs. Gandhi,
continue to insist publicly and privately that India will not
;initiate hostilities. There are still several ideas to be
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supported by U.S. helicopter gunships and ARVN artillery, killed
28 of the enemy in a clash three miles southwest of Fire Sup-
port Base Pace near the Cambodian border. Seven ARVN soldiers
were killed and 23 were wounded. Elsewhere a Regional Force
company eight miles southwest of Xuan Loc was attacked by mor-
tar and antitank rocket fire which was followed by a sapper
attack. The defenders, who again were supported by ARVN
artillery, killed ten of the enemy. Friendly losses were nine
Regional Force and two civilians killed and seven Regional
Force and six civilians wounded.
In Cambodia action was light with only a few friendly sweep
operations producing several small unit contacts. In Laos
combat is at a low level, but both friendly and enemy forces
are preparing for increased activity. Several groups of ir-
regulars launched a new operation yesterday designed to sweep
along both banks of the Mekong River south of Pakse.
South Vietnam Political Situation:/
`X` real attitude is mirrored in the actions of his wife, who is
,brave front. Some of his associates, however, believe Ky's
In particular, Vice President Ky's effort to forge a broad
coalition of opposition groups appears to be on the verge of
collapse. Personality conflicts between the leaders of dif-
ference groups have surfaced since the election. Some of the
more moderate opposition figures have quit Ky's organization
because they object to the activities of radical students,
who still are trying to foment trouble. Moreover, some groups
that originally associated themselves with Ky now have joined
the rival organization set up by An Quang Buddhists.
Ky himself reportedly has not taken an active role in leading
the organization since the election. In contrast to the mood
of gloom among his staff, the vice president is putting up a
/ said to be despondent and frustrated.
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SECRET
October 18, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT -- Evening Report
Kos gin Will Visit Cuba - The Canadian Embassy has
informed us that Premier Kosygin will go to Cuba upon
completing his stay in Canada. Kosygin gave this
information to Prime Minister Trudeau.
There had been an unconfirmed report that Party
First Secretary Brezhnev planned to visit Cuba in
December. A Brezhnev visit seems much less likely
now that Kosygin is going.
Kosygin was last in Cuba in 1967, after the Glass-
boro summit meeting.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/12/28: LOC-HAK-553-8-34-2