IN YOUR MEETING WITH PRESIDENT POMPIDOU ON NEXT THURSDAY, YOU HAVE AN APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE HIM WITH SOME OF THE RATIONALE FOR THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE OPERATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: January 5, 2010
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: March 9, 1971
• Content Type: CABLE

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/01/05: LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7
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SECRET /HODS
TO AMBASSADOR WATSON. .EMBASSY, PARIS
FROM HENRY A. KISSINGER, THE WHITE HOUSE
REF: PARIS 1085
with President Pompidou on ftext Thursday, you/have
an appropri"o opportunity to provide him with some of the rationale for
the South Vietnamese operation in Laos and; update him on the status of
the operation. Recognizing that he to opposed to the Operation, you may
want to draw on the following :
1. As Proms This% indicated when he announced the operation:
North Vietnamese troops in Laotian territory.
b. The North Vietnamese have occupied Lira border aerrea in Laos for a
awmber of years and used it to launch attacks against South Vietnam
c. Attacking them is an act of legitimate and necessary self-dsrfense.
(TU. is fully coeaaaist t with Intern tonl law.)
d. The operation to limited in time as well as in space and the South
Vietnamese hare, pledged to withdraw completely from Laotian territory
when the operation is completed.
a. This to not an expansion of the war but rather an effort to eawd it
a. It is designs to disrupt the supply and infiltration network of 7MORI/CDF
CO5105139
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/01/05: LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/01/05: LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7
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SZCRET / NODiS
Z. The operation to intended to reduce North Vietnamese capability to
an off ive sad to strengthen South Vice's ability to defend
itseeii as U. S. forces are withdrawn from nth Vietnam under the
Vietal izstion program. The operation should reduce enemy offenoive
potential both in this dry season and the next. It will insure the continuance
of Amoricsn troop withdrawals.
3. The operation is not an enlargement of the war. The Ho Chi Minh Trail
has been the scene of combat since 1965.
4. Both the U. S. and South Vietnam continue to seek an end to the war through
negotiations.
5. Roports on the operation thus far indicate that:
d in definite disruption of North Vietnamese logistic
Most of
y reduced the southward flow of war materials.
I arteries in the area are now under ARVN control.
b. The heavy fig reflects the importance the North Vietnamese attach
to this area. Although some momentary setbacks s aa-y occur in the f
psrewver nce of their go ces a the professional skill
s far has demonstrated the .ace ilenc, of south Vietneunes
of their forces. AILYN units which have been bit hard have fought back and
inflicted much heavier lossesson the enemy. The following examples
are indicative of the intensity of the battle and the success of South Vietnamese
forces:
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 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/01/05: LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7
SECRET NODIS
-- There have been over 7.000 NVN KIA as opposed to 455 SVN KIA
and 81 us KIA.
- - 95 enemy tanks have been dest
Nearly 2500 individual and 850 crew served weapons have been captured
or destroyed.
c. Alter deatxmction of enemy supplies in the immediate area is an
ancillary benefit and forces are just beginning to exploit caches, results
thus far have not been insignificant. Some example* of enemy losses are:
Nearly 3 =IIUon pounds of vice.
Nearly 150, 000 gallons of fuel.
Some 700 thousand pounds of a Lion.
Nearly 200 Vehicles.
In addition nearly 1500 bunkers and structures have been reported
destroyed and the POL pipeline has been, cut in a Der Of places.
A. As a result of operations in Cambodia and Laos, the enemy has been
usable to mount significant offensive activity in South Vietnam during this
period. Clearly a serious threat to the security of Military Region I in
South Vietnam is being bbeeteed.
On now subject, with reference to WH 10148 of March 1, my plans have
changed slightly. I expect to be out of town during period from March 27
through April 4. Therefore, I would welcome visit by Juillet any time this
numM up to the 2bth or in April aver the 4th. In this ,rogard. I would
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/01/05: LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/01/05: LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7
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SECRT /NODIS
a r ci*t. k*Aw wbbt mods he plans to travel a wbatherr his
trip planes have ben disclosed through normal State channels.
Warm regards,
A13TEI:sfp: 3-9-71
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/01/05: LOC-HAK-12-4-24-7