COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FOR CAMBODIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-448-3-18-2
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 19, 2011
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: July 22, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/06/13 : LOC-HAK-448-3-18-2
MEMORANDUM ~ c
NATIONAL SECURITY C
/SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. HENR~~ `KZSSIP~tGE
FROM: R. T. Kennedy & John ~oldridge
SUBJECT: Communications Equipment for Cambo~x
Out-of-Countr Caxnxxiunications
C;1NC:YA(_;/MAC:V proposed a tropo--scatter system to link Phnom Penh,
Saigon, Bangkok and Clark Field (Philippines) relay..
~~~~
25X1
that;
propose .
Ambassador Johnson reviewed the proposal and concluded that
neither State have. need for the additional communications
is not clear -- according to Ambassador Johnson review.
He concludes that the only essential requirement which the system
will serve is secure voice for tactical air control comrxiunications
between the centers in Phnom Penh and Saigon ?- the volume of
the tra#?ic and need fax secure voice (as contrasted with teletype)
Ambassador Johnson is expected to recommend to Adxx~.iral Mooxer
--. The present control center (in downtown Ph~.om Penh where
electrical interference is high) be moved to a mare suli.table
location.
-- Provide voice codes for use by Fhnom Penh and Saigon centers.
-- .Data on traffic volume and need for secure voice be compiled as
basis for reevaluation o? the proposal. (He requested -- see below. )
-- Steps be taken to provide Embassy Phnom Penh telephone circuit
with secure voice equipxxient.
Ambassador Johnson sent a cable yesterday asking for additional
information traffic volume on which to base his reccammendation to you.
"""-' r'-"-'""-' "' / SENST TI VE
~~.~ ~ ~ ~/.~/moo
N C T L ~~~ .~~ "t-~ ~-~j ~~
July. ~z, 19'0
ARMY, State, OSD
reviews completed.
ON-FILE NSC
RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
' No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/06/13 : LOC-HAK-448-3-18-2
 No Objection
to Declassification in Part 2012/06/13 : LOC-HAK-448-3-18-2
TS]P SECRET/SENSITIVE
From the foregoing it is clear that the principal justification for the
trapo-scatter system is tactical aix control. The traffic now may be
comparatively light (we just don't know). But with increasing Thai and
SVN aix support and U. S. "interdiction" efforts, the traffic may increase
substantially. Moxeaver MACV is convinced that no "voice codes" will
be secuxe for long.
-- It would provide rapid and secure voice camxx~.unications between
the .D i r.e c.t, Aix Support Center, in Phnom Penh, and the Tactical
Air ,Control Center in Saigon (and latex Bangkok).
-- It vsrauld provide secure telephonic camxnunications between Phnom
Penh and Washington/Saigon.
-- It would provide a support fax SSO communications of a hi her
quality and ca acit ca abilit
-The decision, therefore, rests primarily on the need fox better
tactical aix control. Ambassador Johnson has requested an estimate of
the volume of this traffic (a reply is expected today). We would guess
that any reply will be a highly qualified one' -- there are just. too many
variables fox' a firxin projection of future .traffic of this kind.
The advantages of this system would be:
-- It would provide roam for expansion if necessary.
The disadvantages would be a larger number of personnel in Phnom.
Penh. -- at least ten contract ox other U. S. civilian personnel -- increased
U. S, visibility at Phnom Penh Airport -- four large vans and an antenna
tower, requiring security protection. There is at present no secuxe commu-
nication between the airport and the Embassy in Phnom. Penh -- this could
be provided.
We recommend that we wait until the reply to Ambassador Johnson's
query to the field is received today. ,Then, unless the predicted traffic
volume for tactical air control is at ~. 1ow level, we recommend imxx~.ediate
approval of the project. .
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/06/13 : LOC-HAK-448-3-18-2
__....
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/06/13 : LOC-HAK-448-3-18-2
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
The FY 70 Caxn.bodia MAP included 8$3 tactical radios -- 131 of
these have been delivered to Cambodia. The remainder are available
in Vietnam and are being pxovided to Cambodian units and personnel
as they are trained in use of the equipment,
- - ,Additional radios are being ,included in the FY 71 MAP as
they are requested, by MACV and Phnom Penh.
Inter-Regional and Inter-Province CoxYZmunications
-w High frequency radio nets -w Intra Pravi.nce -- are being emplgr ed
naw using 44 USAID furnished radio sets (TR 35).
-- Phnom Penh to Military Region. high frequency nets are being set
up navy using radios furnished fraxn U. S. Army stocks (funding from
F'Y 7Q MAC' Cambodia).
- 14 KWM-2A set's have been made available from U. S. stocks in
Vietnam and Thailand. .
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/06/13 : LOC-HAK-448-3-18-2