319. National Security Study Memorandum 951
TO
- The Secretary of State
- The Secretary of Defense
- The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT
- U.S. Policy Objectives in Indo-China
The President has directed that a study be prepared on an urgent basis of U.S. interests and the short-term U.S. policy alternatives in Indo-China, with particular emphasis on the implications of the Cambodian situation.
This study should be done on the assumption that there is no progress toward a settlement in Indo-China through an international conference or other diplomatic initiatives. It should include discussion of, but not be limited to, the following subjects:
- —Our interests and objectives in the current situation; e.g., the degree to which we consider important the maintenance of a non-Communist Cambodian Government.
- —The steps which the U.S. might take directly or in support of other countries to further those interests and objectives.
- —The issues and options for U.S. policies if the Cambodian Government falls.
- —The effect of various U.S. actions on efforts toward reaching a political settlement in Indo-China.
The President has directed that this study be prepared by an ad hoc group chaired by a representative of the Secretary of State and including representatives of the addressees of the memorandum and of the NSC staff. It should be undertaken on a priority basis to enable it to be considered concurrently with NSSM 94 and submitted by June 15, 1970.2
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSM 43–103. Top Secret; Nodis; Sensitive. A copy was sent to Wheeler.↩
- The response to NSSM 95 was prepared on June 24. (Ibid.) It was not considered concurrently with the response to NSSM 94; see Document 336.↩