THE PRESIDENT'S INTELLIGENCE CHECKLIST 5 JULY 1961

!!! EMS Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 THE PRESIDENT'S INTELLIGENCE CHECKLIST 5 JULY 1961 Declassified - Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 T 1-11-11-11.717-1 r_7TT1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 2. Laotian situation a) Likelihood of military action by Qasim believed much diminished with British military strength in Kuwait now superior to Iraqi forces in border area; b) Baghdad has cancelled all military leaves until further notice but on 3 July units at Basra were instructed "not to undertake any operation which would incite Kuwait"; 5 50X1 50X1 OX1 d) Top Arab League official is work- in hard on mediation effort. 50X1 50X1 The contending factions in Laos con- tinue to mark time pending the open- 50X1 ing of talks on a coalition government. On a brief stopover in Bangkok before returning to Vientiane on 4 July, Phoumi declared out-of-the-blue that the Zurich meeting had agreed that Souvanna and Souphannouvong both unsuitable as premier because they had been "too much involved." 50X1 50X1 For The President Onlv?Tnn Sprrpt Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 E.1 L-1L L- E.. L L-2 P? PA F=-A Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 3. Hammarskjold alarmed over planned Congo coup. 4. Chinese Communists put Out feeler on private talks with US 50X1 50X1, Mobutu and Bomboko, with French encouragement, are considering a military coup against flvi the Ileo government. The attempt wc:= allegedly take place in the next week if Kasavubu's support can be assured. The Secretary General believes that such a coup would play into Soviet hands by enhancing Gizenga's support among the neutralist African states and would destro ho es for a moderate Congo solution. 50X1 50X1 50X1- An intimation of Peiping's desire for a series of informal, private conver- sations with US officials came ata recent meeting between US and Chinese Ambassadors in Warsaw. The Chinese, 50X1 taking an unusually affable tack, urged an extension of such contacts, but took pains to hold the Peiping line on Laos, Taiwan and the UN. In recent months, Peiping has made sim- ilar approaches through other channels, always insisting, however, that Wash- ington must take the first step toward improved relations. 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 NOTES A. ?The USSR launched two test ICBM's within a 16-hour period on 4 July, 50X1 50X1 C. Ah-impending influx of Soviet aircraft technicians into Mali has been reported. Their assignment would include setting up a central' maintenance base for Soviet-built aircraft supplied to Ghana,-Guinea, and Mali. D. UN observer on the spot reports extensive armed exchanges,along India-Pakistan cease-fire line during June. E. There is as yet no significant indication of puolic reaction to the South Korean coup within .a coup. Pak is moving fast in attempt to nail down No. 1 place in regime. F. Speeches yesterday by Khrushchev in Moscow and Party. Secretary Suslov-in Ulan Bator developed no new lines, according to avail- able excerpt's. 50X1 For The President Only?Top Secret Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2015/05/04 : CIA-RDP79T00936A000100140001-0 50X1 50X1