Office of the Historian

210. National Security Study Memorandum 1121 2

Washington, January 7, 1971

TO:

  • The Secretary of State
  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The Director of Central Intelligence
  • The Director, Office of Science and Technology
  • The Director, United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency

SUBJECT:

  • U.S. Post-Vietnam Policy on Use of Riot Control Agents and Herbicides in War

The President has directed a study of the full range of United States policy options with regard to the use of riot control agents and chemical herbicides in war after Vietnam. In this study, riot control agents and chemical herbicides should be dealt with separately.

The study should address the advantages and disadvantages of U.S. policy options, taking into account:

  • — the military utility of and possible circumstances under which these agents might be employed in future conflict situations other than Vietnam;
  • — the environmental aspects relevant to use in the situations described;
  • — international policy considerations;
  • — Congressional and public relations aspects.

The position which the United States would take concerning its understanding as to the Geneva Protocol of 1925 under each policy option should be discussed.

[Page 2]

The President has directed that an Ad Hoc Group, chaired by a representative of Department of State and comprising representatives of the addressees and the NSC staff, conduct this study. The fact and nature of this review should be very closely held, and distribution should be restricted on an absolute “need to know” basis.

The study should be forwarded to the NSC Senior Review Group by February 1, 1971.

Henry A. Kissinger
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs (104–206). Secret; Eyes Only. A copy was sent to Moorer. In an April 23, 1971, memorandum, Kissinger notified recipients of NSSM 112 that the due date for the NSSM study had been extended to October 15, 1971. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 27–10 VIET)↩
  2. The President directed a study of policy options with regard to the use of riot control agents and chemical herbicides in post-Vietnam warfare, the environmental effect of that use, and of any relevant international or Congressional considerations related to those topics.↩