Office of the Historian

270. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1

Washington, October 16, 1971.

SUBJECT

  • Sir Robert Thompson Reports on Southeast Asia

Sir Robert Thompson has forwarded a report on his recent trip through Southeast Asia.2 A summary follows.

Cambodia. The FANK’s recent clearing of Route Six to Kompong Thom was a great success.

  • —During the coming year, the FANK should expand the security of Route Six and also concentrate on clearing the major route from Phnom Penh south to the coast.
  • —It is essential that the Khmer maintain political cohesion and face up to economic problems. Provided that they operate within the limits of their capabilities and do not over-reach themselves, all should go well next year.3

South Vietnam. Although the uncontested election was unfortunate, the voter turnout was genuinely massive and President Thieu clearly has overwhelming popular as well as military support.

  • —There is nothing to worry about in the pacification program. Additional pressure should be exerted on the enemy’s village guerrilla squads, and steps to achieve this are now underway.
  • —NVA capabilities will not be any greater next year than in 1971, and will probably be less.
  • —You can safely accelerate U.S. withdrawals to the point where the U.S. force level will total about 50,000 by next June 30, and will consist primarily of tactical air, helicopter support, and servicing elements for military assistance. President Thieu, Thompson reports, was not alarmed by this view.

Comment. Sir Robert has promised to send a more detailed report on his talk with President Thieu. He also plans to visit the area again next February.

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 92, Vietnam Subject Files, Sir Robert Thompson (71). Secret; Eyes Only. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads, “The President has seen.” Negroponte forwarded it to Kissinger under an October 12 covering memorandum indicating the NSC staff had prepared it and recommending that he send it to Nixon. Haig signed it for Kissinger.↩
  2. Thompson sent the report in message 38625 from Saigon, October 8. Karamessines forwarded it to Kissinger under a covering memorandum of the same date. (Ibid.)↩
  3. Kissinger sent Nixon an interim report on Thompson’s visit to Cambodia in an October 4 memorandum. He noted that Thompson had warned Sirik Matak that since the enemy was not relenting, Cambodia should follow a conservative strategy that would not expose the FANK to serious reverses or casualties. Nixon wrote next to this, “K—Right, very important.” According to Kissinger’s summary, Thompson also recommended that Cambodia allow the ARVN to contend with the enemy divisions in the rubber plantation near Route 7, while the FANK focused on Phnom Penh and the main line of communication; continue its steady progress in pacification; and expand to a 250,000 man force. (Ibid.)↩