401. National Security Study Memorandum 225, Washington, May 27, 1975.1 2
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
May 27, 1975
National Security Study Memorandum 225
TO: The Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of State
The
Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Review of U.S. Policy Toward Thailand
The President has directed an assessment of U S. policy toward Thailand. The study should examine U.S. interests in Thailand, the U.S. objectives that flow from these interests over the next three to five years, and U.S. policy options designed to support these interests and objectives.
The study’s consideration of factors bearing on U.S. interests and objectives should include, but should not necessarily be limited to, the following:
- — The current trends in basic Thai foreign policy, particularly as those trends affect the balance of power in Southeast Asia and the U.S. presence in Thailand.
- — The strength of significant factions within the Thai Government and their probable relative influence over Thai foreign policy,
- — Thailand’s perception of the North Vietnamese and Chinese threats in the mid-term, and Thailand’s probable approach to these threats.
- — Thailand’s perception of its insurgency, and its probable efforts to cope with this problem.
- — Thailand’s attitude towards American and other foreign investment, and its interests in trade with the United States.
- — The probable strategy toward Thailand of the Peoples Republic of China, North Vietnam and Cambodia.
The study’s examination of policy issues should include, but should not necessarily be limited to, the following: [Page 2]
- — The U.S. security commitment to Thailand.
- — The U.S. force presence in Thailand, as it relates to regional security.
- — U.S. security assistance to Thailand.
- — Thailand’s relations with other Southeast Asian states, and its position on Southeast Asian regional issues.
- — Thailand’s relations with North Vietnam, the Peoples Republic of China and the Soviet Union, and the U.S. attitude toward these relations.
- - U.S.-Thai economic relations.
- — The U.S. position towards Thai internal political developments.
The study should be prepared by the NSC Inter-Departmental Group for East Asia, and should be submitted no later than June 30, 1975 for consideration by the Senior Review Group.
[Brent Scowcroft signed for]
Henry A. Kissinger
cc: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff