250. Letter From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Nitze) to the Under Secretary of State (Katzenbach)1
Dear Nick:
Your letter of May 9, 1967 transmitting the Initial Report of the Joint State-Defense-CIA Study Group for Cambodia2 envisaged reconvening the Group “as necessary on an ad hoc basis whenever approval is being sought for specific actions not recommended in the Initial Report”. The Group met on an ad hoc basis several times after approval of the Initial Report to address specific proposals.
As reflected in the attached memorandum, the JCS now propose additional political and military actions designed to cope with the problem of increased use of Cambodia by VC/NVA forces as a sanctuary and source of supply. The JCS concept for pursuit of VC/NVA force into certain Communist base areas in Cambodia is the most sensitive of these proposals.
I recommend that the Joint State-Defense-CIA Study Group for Cambodia be convened to consider the JCS proposals.
I would appreciate your views.
Sincerely,
- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 72 A 1499, Cambodia 000.1, 1968 (092 Cambodia). Top Secret. Drafted by J.H. Mobley of ISA on September 26.↩
- For a summary of the report of the Study Group, see Document 205.↩
- Printed from a copy that indicates Nitze signed the original.↩
- Drafted by Mobley on September 26.↩
- Attached, but not printed.↩
- Both attached, but neither printed.↩
- Printed from a copy that indicates that Warnke signed the original.↩