Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume IX, Vietnam, October 1972–January 1973

218. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in South Vietnam and the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Gayler)¹

Washington, December 23, 1972, 0042Z.

231566. CINCUSARPAC please pass to 7th PSYOP Grp. State/Defense/CIA/USIA message. Subj: Intensification of Psychological Pressure Operations (PPOG Message).² Ref: Saigon 17715.³

1. Decisions have been made at high level that further vigorous measures must be taken in psychological field to stimulate motivation for DRV leaders to return to conference table to conclude a peace agreement.

2. Listed below are measures contemplated and current status of each.

A. Resume leaflet and mini-radio air drops north of 20 degrees north: operational authority to be issued by SecDef. Thematic guidance was provided in State 230726.⁴

B. Initiate high altitude balloon program for air dropping mini-radios in Red River Delta area: views of Vientiane and Bangkok Missions being sought by septel. Preliminary funding and procurement actions to be undertaken by Washington agencies.

C. Increase dissemination of mini-radios to NVN population as well as NVA throughout Indochina: delivery capability and procurement requirements to be developed by PPOG.

D. Print and drop additional substantial quantities of inflation leaflets with revised text to correspond to new situation. Pending development of new text by Mission, however, further order for these leaflets in old text should be placed in order to maintain pace of dissemination. Mission and CINCPAC should jointly work out order and air drop arrangements. USIA will arrange appropriate priorities for printing by RSC Manila. Highest priority drop area is Red River Delta.

E. Review and update existing leaflet inventory: continuing mission of Saigon PSYOP task force.

F. Develop new leaflets and radio scripts to exploit new themes; action requirement for Saigon PSYOP task force.

G. Increase drone capability for more precise leaflet targeting in high risk areas such as Red River Delta.PPOG to investigate availability of additional resources.

3. PPOG has also been directed to seek to devise further means to render psychological effort more effective.

4. Comments and recommendations of addressees regarding plans to further intensify psychological pressures would be welcomed.

Johnson

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 162, Vietnam Country Files, Vietnam, Dec 1972. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by J. Bengle (EA) and Colonel L. Doyle (JCS); cleared in EA, EA/VN, EA/LC, CIA, USIA, DOD/ISA, and S/S–O; and approved by Sullivan. Repeated to the U.S. Delegation in Paris, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, COMUSMACV, and CINCUSARPAC.
2. The Psychological Pressure Operations Group was an interagency committee established in May 1972 to coordinate psychological operations mainly in North Vietnam but also in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
3. Not found.
4. Not found.