POSSIBLE HANOI FEELERS FOR TALKS WITH CAMBODIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-14-1-18-5
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 8, 2009
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: May 21, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

Istptp npnt. review completed? X
No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/08: LOC-HAK-14-1-18-5
/INFORMATION
SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY May 21, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. KISSINGER
FROM: W. R. SMYSER
SUBJECT: Possible Hanoi Feelers for Talks With Cambodia
There have been some recent suggestions that the Communists may be
interested in negotiating with the Cambodian Government. 25X1
In addition, Grornyko during a recent conversation with Schumann said
that the Soviets were "studying" the Cambodian question and wanted to
discuss it further with the French.
We also heard that there are many rumors in Phnom Penh over North
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Vietnamese efforts to establish contact with Cambodian officials.
SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY
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No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/08: LOC-HAK-14-1-18-5
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SECR T/S N T VE/EYES ONLY
One can conjecture three possible Hanoi motives:
? To reduce pressure against them once the dry season ends
(a tactic that they also usually try in Laos around this time of year).
? To sow confusion among Cambodians during the recent
political hiatus.
? To take Cambodia out of the war in a military sense, thus
essentially returning to the Sihanouk situation.
It is idle to speculate too much at this point, but we will want to keep
it in mind.
The question of course arises whether the North Vietnamese would be
prepared for a similar arrangement in South Vietnam. U they are, they
might be prepared to go for some sort of military settlement which
would remove the American factor from the war without resolving the
political issue.
I think it is premature to count on this, but I shall send you a separate
paper reflecting on it a little further.
SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY
No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/08: LOC-HAK-14-1-18-5
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No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/08: LOC-HAK-14-1-18-5
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No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/08: LOC-HAK-14-1-18-5
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No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/08: LOC-HAK-14-1-18-5
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