COVERT OPERATIONS IN NORTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: January 6, 2012
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: April 16, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
.i~
April 21, 1970
w
fyxp12 112: PUTKYr ~; ??~~~,-., ",';-., RI 0.11,
L ns
:,~.,,C,I covert ~ +i t. :yv 1 P,o tis Vin
OSD, NSS, Review
Complete
~':.r.~ye,..,+c3. xx p y.1. 1,
xttG? ~ e?:.x?..-.I3" ~s~?..?'.l'J ~; :~i~d.t:..S*~2 ~1 L: a:.~1rb970, wLite jwut &a ~: ;e{?1r s". in
le'bs~7C~T?3 to viy 1973.
1.11-11 tn1A:' C~ w'4_" @ C}: ~ ?wrpy;r:s.1 k:1,0-11d AA approv0d tin:T
iavt7itoro4 in t'':; 40 C ~k~ ? tt~r d s t Afy . t,:;tu ,~ to on
t: ?ezie act'kv. ti,,.,a ~ ."e no
I will distribute copies of You", t " 'orandalfl an of !;..d .en; to the
u,01,2r prL-4ciuals o tL 40 Cc ": Aztec in oz-Oe ' that it 1;Iy b
ScLedule1 b 71 Cfur,53.40rat.:X.C.'a at can E'_^+rIy7 ,'U';:T1 ti ~2 1Z 6
HAK:)?Chapin:e'td
4/16/70
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
? .0
SECR/SENSITIVE
16 April 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. KISSINGEER
FROM: Frank Chapin
SUBJECT: Covert Operations in North Vietnam
At Tab A is a memorandum to Dave Packard which Al Haig asked me to
prepare for your signature.
At Tab B are two memoranda on which you indicated your intention of
taking the action which you are informing Mr. Packard you will take.
At Tab C is Mr. Packard's memorandum and attachment.
At Tab D is your memorandum of 5 March 1970 addressed to the
Secretary of Defense.
RECOMMENDATION :
That you sign the attached memorandum to Mr. Packard at Tab A, after
which I will distribute copies of his memorandum to the other
40 Committee principals and schedule it as an agenda item for an
early Committee meeting.
Attachments
Tabs A - D
SECRET/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
7
nrx a n ..: ~.,...
~..'?~"~ ':. 4 , air t ~,~ C',~+.vy i' wf?i ?~l~`y.+~ ...,~
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
X-
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
 Ar-% 1T? A". TlTTAT : . ,
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6El THE WHITLI HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE April 13, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR HEN Z" 4,KISSINGER
FROM: Al Haig
SUBJECT: Covert Operations in North Vietnam
Attached at Tab A is DOD's initial response to the requirement for a
monthly report on efforts to identify targets and to develop plans for
covert operations in the area of North Vietnam not assigned to CiA
(Tab B). Althlugh DOD has rejected CIA's suggestion for assaults
on four coastal targets by cross-beach operations, the pot has
obviously been stirred and Defense has promised a fuller report in
the next few weeks.
In his memorandum, Deputy Secretary Packard recommends that
these matters be taken up in the 40 Committee on a case basis, and
that the requirement for a monthly report be dropped. I believe that
the 40 Committee is the proper forum for systematic consideration
of these operations in light of their sensitivity, broad implications,
and the interagency cooperation necessary.
The memorandum for the President summarizing the Packard report
(Tab A) recommends that efforts related to these operations be moni-
tored by the 40 Committee and that the requirement for a monthly
progress report be deleted. You may, however, want to discuss this
matter first with Director Helms as a matter of courtesy and to insure
that moving.these operations to the 40 Committee will not cause serious
problems for CIA.
See Helms first before putting on
40 Committee agenda and forwarding
attached memo to the President.
Yes ~~..f
Attachments
TOP SECRET'/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6 15-E 163
? THE WHITE HOUSE 0
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
SUBJECT: Covert Operations in North Vietnam
Attached is a progress report from. Deputy Secretary of Defense Packard
on efforts to identify targets and to develop plans for covert operations in
the area of North Vietnam not assigned to CIA. This initial report focuses
on covert maritime capabilities and indicates that:
Four fast patrol boats are available for collection of
intelligence, interdiction of shipping, fire attacks on
coastal targets, landing 15.-man action teams, and
intercept and indoctrination of North Vietnamese
fishermen.
Four coastal targets previously identified by CIA, are
not considered accessible from the beach within acceptable
risk factors, primarily due to population density. However,
other methods of attacking these targets are under consider..
ation.
The most lucrative operation appears to be a psychological
program directed against North Vietnamese fishermen.
Under this concept, North Vietnamese fishing boats would
be intercepted by patrol boats and given the impression
that a dissident North Vietnamese organization opposing
the existing political regime was operating in the area.
Both this report and the one from Director Helms which I recently forwarded
to you indicate that efforts are being made to revitalize our capabilities to
conduct covert operations against North Vietnam.
In his memorandum Deputy Secretary Packard recommends that all efforts
related to covert operations in North Vietnam be monitored by the 40
(previously 303) Committee, which presently evaluates other missions of
high sensitivity. Due to the sensitivity of these operations, their far-reaching
TOP SECRF '-/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6
q
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
implications, and the fact that both CIA and Defense are involved, I
believe that the 40 Committee is the proper place to consider such operations.
He also recommends that reports be made on a case basis rather than at
monthly intervals. I concur that it will be unnecessary to require a
periodic progress report as long as activities are reviewed in the 40
Committee.
RECOMMENDATION:
That covert operations in North Vietnam be monitored by the 40 Committee
and that the requirement for monthly status reports be rescinded.
Approve
Disapprove
I will, of course, keep you informed of progress being made and significant
developments.
Attachment
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/01/06: LOC-HAK-513-1-4-6