REPORTS FROM PHNOM PENH BY POLITICO-MILITARY COUNSELOR LADD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-449-6-6-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: January 27, 2010
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: May 6, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/01/27: LOC-HAK-449-6-6-1
T /SENSITIVE /EYES ONLY INFORMATION
May 6, 1971
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MEMORANDUM I'OR: THE PRESIDENI
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GENERAL HAIL
SUBJECT: Reports from Phnom Penh by Politico-
Military Counselor Ladd
We have received a number of reports recently from Mr. Ladd, our
Politico-Military Counselor in Phnom Penh, containing information which
I believe will be of interest to you. The highlights are:
-- The current political "crisis" in Phnom Penh, resulting from
Lon Nol's resignation as Prime Minister and Chief of State Cheng Heng's
efforts to locate a successor, has caused little or no stir among the
people. The Government continues to function, and Ladd is confident
that Lon Nol will retain some form of titular authority and that Sirik
Matak, who acted for Lon Nol during his absence, will receive a post of
importance.
Son Ngoc Tanh, the organizer of the anti-Sihanouk Khmer Serei
movement which was the origin of the Khmer Krom troops, is edging up
and will probably also receive an important post.' (Some intelligence
reports say he will eventually be Prime Minister.) In an interview with
Ladd, Tanh expressed the opinion that:
-- Enemy forces opposing the FANK.are weaker than a year ago,
while FANK forces have grown in strength; there is no indication
that the enemy will receive substantial reinforcement during the
rainy season.
-- The FANK now needs to learn how to coordinate its growing
assets and employ them professionally so as to be able to regain
lost territory during the rainy season. Close strategic and tactical
coordination, between the FANK and ARVI I is mandatory.
- Ladd has sent in a separate report agreeing with Tanh on the
FANK's improvements, as well as on its needs for upgrading the coordina-
tion and professional employment of its forces. Ladd suggests that this
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE /EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/01/27: LOC-HAK-449-6-6-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/01/27: LOC-HAK-449-6-6-1
TOP SECRE'T'/.SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY
must avoid trying to impose U. S. organizational concepts on the FANK,
which as an "amateur army" would find them difficult to absorb.
might be accomplished via advisers from third countries, for example,
in the field of logistical support. He cautioned, though, that we ourselves
Comment:
Ladd's report on the political calm in Phnom Penh is borne out from
other sources. Whatever the political maneuverings may be, the attitude
of the people appears to remain firmly anti-Sihanouk and there are no
hints of any effort to restore him or to stop resisting the North Vietnamese.
On the military side, it is encouraging to find both Ladd and a highly-
placed Cambodian such as Son Ngoc Tanh in agreement on the improvement
in the FANK's performance. The fact that the operation which just
succeeded in reopening the Pich Nil pass was entirely a FANK show is an
indication of its progress. Nevertheless, it still has a long way to go
before it can really pass over to the offensive. We are trying to encourage
countries such as Australia to furnish the kind of technical advice which we
ourselves cannot furnish.
There is one feature of the military scene which neither Ladd nor
Son Ngoc Tank would be expected to know: enemy forces in Cambodia, at
least those opposing the ARVN in the Chup Plantation area, have recently
received some reinforcements. We do not know the totals, however.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/01/27: LOC-HAK-449-6-6-1