CABLE TO HENRY A. KISSINGER FROM ELLSWORTH BUNKER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-490-2-42-9
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 17, 2011
• Sequence Number: 42
• Publication Date: April 27, 1970
• Content Type: CABLE

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/10/17 : LOC-HAK-490-2-42-9
'~~~' 5~:~".BFT/~F~rsT?rivF 2722222 APR 70 VIA CAS CHANNELS
i.
FROM: AMBASSADOR BUNKER, SAIGON 251
TO:
THE WHITE HOUSE, EYES ONLY HENRY A. KISSINGER
REF: WHS-0033
1. General Abrams and I have considered carefully questions
raised in reftel. ? Answers follow:
lA. General Abrams feels that combined US/ARVN attack in base
areas 352/353 is most desirable in relation to any other base area.
lB. General Abrams also feels that attack on base areas 352/353
is relatively of greater value than other military efforts which could be
We both agree that attack on this area should have ma~cimum unsettling
effect on the enexriy who has considered until now his "sanctuaries irnxnune
to ground attack. Conversely it should have beneficial effect on both our
own and ARVN forces who have long felt handicapped by this restriction.
The political effect in Viet-Nam should be a distinct plus. As General Abrams
points out, base area 352/353 has consistently been an area of maximum
enemy activity and we both feel that hitting him there will have the maximum
effect both militarily and psychologically.
We do not feel attack on any other base area would have as great
4
an effect on the overall seotirity posture of our forces in South Viet-Nam.
We bela. eve that the attacks on the Cambodian sanctuaries as now planned
will improve the security posture of our own and Vietnamese farces.
ARMY review(s)
completed.
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/10/17 : LOC-HAK-490-2-42-9
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/10/17 : LOC-HAK-490-2-42-9
~.. ~t.....r
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
With regard to timing, General Abrams' view is that the closer the
operations in the Parrot's Beak or an base areas 352/353 can be coordinated,
the greater will be the impact on the enemy. Forces and resources available
are adequate to support simultaneous operations. There is not much time
remaining before the beginning of the rainy season, consequently the operation
should be initiated as soon as practicable.
3. The Parrot's Beak has been the base for enemy operations
directed at Saigon and the Upper Delta over the past two years. The base
area 352/353, as stated above, has been a focus of enemy operational,
logistical, administrative, and command and control activities for a long
time: General Abrams ancj,.I.feel therefore that the attacks ox1 the Parrot's
Beak and base area 352/353 would have greater significance militarily
and politically than attacks on any other areas.
4. In nur estimation ?04 does not rank in importance with base
areas 352/353 or the Parrot's Beak.
From Abrams:
It is my independent view that these attacks into the enemy's
sanctuaries in Garnbodia are the military move to make at this time in
support of our mission in sduth Viet-Nam both in terms of security of our
own forces and for advancement of the Vietnamization program.
5. With respect to friendly casualties in 352/353, both our
own and Vietnamese, every effort will be made to keep these to an absolute
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/10/17 : LOC-HAK-490-2-42-9
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/10/17 : LOC-HAK-490-2-42-9
~~:,~ ~ ~
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
minimum. The pre-attack preparations will be as heavy as we can make
them, all in the interest of holding casualties in the attack to the minimum.
6. Best regards.
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/10/17 : LOC-HAK-490-2-42-9