406. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Deputy Secretary of State Ingersoll, and Director of Central Intelligence Colby, Washington, September 24, 1975.1 2

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

September 24, 1975

MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE

SUBJECT: Indochina Refugees in Thailand

The President has reviewed the plan for the relief and resettlement of Meo refugees in Thailand and has decided the following:

  • — Full USG support will be given to the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)/Royal Thai Government (RTG) refugee program.
  • — The American Ambassador to Thailand will take all necessary actions to insure that the Meo refugees receive an adequate share of the resources allotted to the UNHCR/RTG program.
  • — The Central Intelligence Agency is authorized to maintain on a standby basis the capability to provide limited support to the Meo refugees should the UNHCR/RTG program prove temporarily inadequate to meet the basic survival needs of the Meo refugees. This capability will only be exercised with the approval of the American Ambassador, Bangkok.
  • — The program will be known as the Meo Refugee Relief and Assistance Program and will be terminated no later than January 1, 1977.

[Brent Scowcroft signed for]
Henry A. Kissinger

cc: The Director, Office of Management and Budget
The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

  1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject File, 1974–1977, Box 16, Presidential Determinations, FY 1976 (1), August-October 1975. Secret; Nodis. Scowcroft signed the memorandum on behalf of Kissinger. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the Office for Management and Budget.
  2. Kissinger informed DOD, DOS, and CIA about the President’s decision regarding Meo refugees in Thailand.