COSVN MATTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-458-8-4-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: February 22, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

CTS- Nk_..- AA t: 7
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/30: LOC-HAK-458-8-4-1
EYES ONLY
TOP SECRET/ SENSITIVE
MEY ORANDW FOR:
FROM:
February 22, 1969
Honorable 10elvin R.' Laird
Secretary of Defense
Washington, D. C.
Henry A. I is singer
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
SUBJECT: COSVN Matter
The President has approved my memorandum of February 19
outlining the proposed course of action associated with a contin,ericy
B-52 strike a ainst COSVN l-ieadquarters in Cambodia. Attached
for your eyes only is an excerpt copy of the recommendations in
this memorandum which has been approved by the President. You
will note that the scenario provides for two immediate steps:
1. The immediate dispatch of a message to General
Abrams authorizing him to conduct B-5Z strikes right up to the
Cambodian border on the South Vietnamese side in the Fish-hook
area of 11! Corps tactical zone.
Z. Concurrently, a strictly military back channel, eyes
only message for General Abrams should be dispatched advising
General Abrams to continue planning for execution of the strike on
a contingency basis. Specifically, General Abrams should be ad-
vised to maintain a continual appraisal of the tactical situation in
the ill Corps tactical zone with the view towards advising, us as-soon
as the military situation might arise which would justify the con-
tinency strike in accordance with paragraph 3 of the attached re-
commendations.
I contemplate that should a sizable enemy attack develop
in the Iii Corps area in the vicinity of the Fish-hook that highest
TOP SECRET/ SENSITIVE"
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/30: LOC-HAK-458-8-4-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/30: LOC-HAK-458-8-4-1
TOP SECT/SENSITIVE
authority will approve the COSVN strike based upon the recornmonda-
tions of G"eral Abrams and an overall assessment of the military
situation elsewhere in Vietnam. In order to set the stage for this
contingency, it to essential that you stand ready during the
President's trip to Europe to execute this attack option with mini.
mum prior notice.
Attachment`
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/30: LOC-HAK-458-8-4-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/30: LOC-HAK-458-8-4-1
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. In order to set the stage for- a possible covert attack, and
clear the books on this matter within the Bureaucracy, we should send a
message to General Abrams authorizing him to bomb right up to the
Cambodian border in the Fish-hook area of III Corps Tactical Zone.
2. General Abrams be authorized to continue planning for
execution of the strike on a contingency basis.
. TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
3. If a suitable local action develops in the III Corps Tactical Zone
in the vicinity of the Fish-hook, that with your approval. at the time we use
it as a pretext to strike COSVN Headquarters.
proposal toward the end of March.--
. If no suitable local action develops, that we again consider the
Approve _~--~".~--~---_
7
Disapprove
Other
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/30: LOC-HAK-458-8-4-1