VIETNAM SPECIAL STUDIES GROUP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 3, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 16, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0
NATIONAL. SECURITY COUNCIL.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
September 16, 1969
The Director of Central Intelligence
National Security Decision Memorandum 23
TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
SUBJECT: Vietnam Special Studies Group
In order to more systematically assess the facts upon which Vietnam
policy decisions should be based, the President has directed the
formation of .a Vietnam Special Studies Group.
NSS review
completed.
This group will:
-- sponsor and direct on a continuous basis systematic
analyses. of U. S. programs and activities in Vietnam,
- undertake special analytical studies on a priority basis
as required to support broad policy and related program decisions,
- provide a forum for and encourage systematic, inter-
agency analysis of U. S. programs and activities in Vietnam.
The Group will meet as necessary to initiate and review studies
and to supervise the preparations of issues papers for consideration
by the President and the National Security Council. The Group will
conduct its affairs without prejudice to the existing interdepart-.
mental framework concerned with day-to-day operational matters
on Vietnam.
The membership of the Vietnam Special Studies Group shall include:
The Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs (Chairman
The Under Secretary of State
The Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
i ~~r l~'V? .Ct+aah0tt k f~' c.cl. c . ~ '~tebo f ~L .~
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0
TOP SECRET
Depending on the issue under consideration, other agencies shall be
represented at the discretion of the Chairman.
j
Henry
A. Kissinger
cc: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0
THE WHITE HOUSE CIS-?.(43
0. TOP SECRET
February 17, 1970.
National Security Decision Memorandum 40
TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Responsibility for the Conduct, Supervision and
Coordination of Covert Action Operations
I have determined that it is essential to the defense and security
of the United States and its efforts for world peace that the
overt foreign activities of the U.S. Government continue to be
supplemented by covert action operations.
By covert action operations I mean those activities which, although
designed to further official U.S. programs and policies abroad, are
so planned and executed that the hand of the U.S. Government is not
apparent to unauthorized persons.
.The covert actions of the U.S. Government abroad shall be subject
to coordination-and control by the Director of Central Intelligence.
All such covert action operations, unless otherwise specifically
assigned by the President, shall be carried out by the Central
,Intelligence Agency. The Director of Central Intelligence shall be
responsible for assuring that covert action operations are planned
and conducted in a manner consistent with U.S. foreign and military
policies, and for consulting with and obtaining appropriate coordi-
nation from any other interested agencies or officers on a need-to-
know:basis. The Director of Central Intelligence shall obtain
policy approval for all major and/or politically sensitive covert
action programs through The 40 Committee.
The 40.Committee as presently constituted consists of the Assistant
to the President for National Security Affairs as Chairman, the
Attorney General, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs,
the Deputy Secretary of Defense,. and the Director of Central
Intelligence.
The Director of Central Intelligence will be responsible for insuring
an annual review by The 40 Committee of all covert acfton programs
previously approved.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03. LOCHAK-533-8-1-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0
TOP SECRET
Also sub ject to 'lie 40 Committee's policy; review and specific
operational mission approval are the following programs origina-
ting in the' Department of.`Defer se: tie monthly joint Reconnais-
sance Center Schedule, missions of the National.: Re+cannaissance
0rganu: ati.on And., -the National Underwater Reconnaissance .Program.
furthermore, any proposals.-for covert activities or operations
from agencies not represented on The 40 Committee shall be
subject to that 1comm.ittee's approval;; unless otherwise directed.
by the President.
-Covert action operations shall include any type of ; activity
necessary to carry out-approved purposes. except that they will
not include armed conflict by regular military forces,. or cover
.and deception for active military operations by-the armed forces
of.th,e.United States.
This' directive supersedes-and rescinds NSC. 5412/.2.
cc': The. Attorney Genera 1...
The Assistant to the President
for Natioxal Security. Affairs.
.TOP SECRET .
F r
F ?^4xr. No Objection to Declassification in Full 2012/04/03: LOC-HAK-533-8-1-0