The President’s Daily Brief, 9 June 1966

The President’s Daily Brief

1. South Vietnam

Tam Chau met with Ambassador Lodge at the embassy this morning. Chau merely concentrated on the standard line of the Buddhist Institute that the US should "encourage" Thieu and Ky to resign.

In commenting on the growing frustration within the Buddhist camp, one member of Chau's retinue told the ambassador that the Institute felt "cornered." Lodge warns that the time may be approaching when the Institute will turn to a coup attempt in desperation.

Ky told Ambassador Lodge today that he "firmly" intends to go ahead with the elections and that he hopes to promulgate the election laws by 19 June. He also said that he would definitely be going to the Seoul Conference next week, but claimed he would stay there only one day. The US ambassadors in Seoul and Tokyo both feel that Ky's attendance would do the conference no good.

Saigon has been completely quiet.

2. Communist China

The struggle in the leadership seems to be intensifying. More heads are likely to roll soon, possibly including key figures in the military as well as the government and the party.

Chinese newspapers are now stressing that the regime's most dangerous enemies are domestic ones.

The Chinese Army journal, which has been in the forefront of the struggle, now claims that men "in very high positions" are linked to "antipartyanti-party [sic] elements" already exposed in the party, the government, and the army. This article elaborates on a major editorial in a similar vein that appeared in over the weekend.

We continue to suspect that party Secretary General Teng Hsiao-ping is calling the shots.

3. Nigeria

The military leaders in Lagos responded to continuing northern resistance today with another uncompromising statement of intention to run the country in their own way. They threatened to impose martial law in any areas where violence breaks out again. All army personnel have been alerted and those on leave recalled.

This bold front is unlikely to intimidate northern leaders who are determined to resist centralized control from Lagos. It remains to be seen whether the military government will risk a mutiny by northerners in the army by using regular troops against northern rioters.

4. Congo

5. Dominican Republic

For the past few days, the local press has been carrying many complaints from around the country that elements of the military and police have been taking arbitrary and sometimes violent action against Bosch supporters. The US Embassy believes some such political reprisals are in fact taking place on the lower levels, but is unable yet to judge their extent.

Both defense and police chiefs have denied the stories and have reiterated orders forbidding their subordinates from engaging in any type of political activity. Bosch, who tends to exaggerate reports of reprisals against his followers, may well clamor that Balaguer's victory has opened the way to a settling of scores by reactionary forces.

6. Panama

The country has been quiet so far today, although the funerals in Colon could still spark some trouble. Some 3,000 students were congregating for the funerals at 4:30 this afternoon.

7. Haiti