DISCUSSION OF TROOP WITHDRAWALS AND VIETNAMIZATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-512-4-3-5
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: February 23, 2010
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: March 18, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-512-4-3-5
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY March 18, 1971
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: Discussion of Troop Withdrawals
and Vietnamization
It is imperative for diplomatic and other reasons that all follow
the same principles concerning discussions of planned withdrawal
of U. S. forces from Southeast Asia. The following principles
govern:
(1) My comment at my March 4, 1971 press conference
that our withdrawals will continue at the present rate
referred specifically to the current increment. It is not
to be construed in any way as a decision or directive
applying to the entire withdrawal schedule.
(2) In April I intend to make my decision as to the next
increment of withdrawals. Until I announce that decision
there should be no speculation either on. or off the record
on the size of the increment or the length of time it covers.
(3) There should be no speculation whatever about the
rest of the schedule.
Each of you should take the necessary steps to insure that every member
of your department or agency scrupulously carries out these instructions.
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-512-4-3-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-512-4-3-5
MEMORANDUM
W
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TOP. SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY March 18, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR; THE PRESIDENT
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
SUBJECT: Comment on Troop Withdrawals
Attached is a memorandum from you which will unequivocally direct
that there be no further speculation on the rate of future.troop. with-
drawals. It directs that there be no comment on the next; increment.
until after you have made your announcement in April.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that you sign the memorandum to the Secretaries.of
State. and Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence.
Attachment.
TOP SECRET f SENSITIVE f EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/02/23: LOC-HAK-512-4-3-5