Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–10, Documents on American Republics, 1969–1972

578. National Security Study Memorandum 18¹ ²

Washington, February 7, 1969

TO:

• The Secretary of State
• The Secretary of Defense
• The Director of Central Intelligence
• The Administrator, Agency for International Development

SUBJECT:

• Review of U.S. Policy Toward Peru

The President has directed that a review be undertaken of U.S. policy toward Peru. The review is to examine:

1. The present situation and short-term outlook in Peru, with particular focus on the International Petroleum Company expropriation issue.

2. The options available to the U.S. Government and the probable consequences of each, in dealing with the likely developments in Peru over the next three months.

The review should be undertaken by the National Security Council Interdepartmental group for Latin America, and should be submitted to the NSC Review Group by February 28, 1969.

Henry A. Kissinger

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, NSSMs, NSSMs 1–42. Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the JCS. The study of the NSC IG Study for Latin America, “U.S. Relations With Peru,” March 7, 1969, is published as Document 581.
2. President Nixon requested a review of U.S. policy towards Peru, with emphasis given to the options available concerning the current situation and the IPC expropriation.