VISIT OF SIR ROBERT THOMPSON TO SAIGON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-24-2-33-6
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 33
• Publication Date: June 12, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/12/19: LOC-HAK-24-2-33-6
IP
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
SECRET/EYES ONLY ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INFORMATION
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
State Dept. review completed
ARMY Review Completed
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MORI C05082551
MR. KISSINGER
JOHN D. NEGROPONT
Visit of Sir Robert Thompson to Saigon
At our request Sir Robert will visit Vietnam from June 17 through
July 1. He will be at CINCPAC on July 2 and plans to arrive in
Washington the afternoon of July 4 remaining through July 7. If
the President and you intend to be in San Clemente starting the
first of July, we can always modify Thompson's return travel plans
accordingly.
The cable at Tab A from Thompson lists the points that he and
Desmond Palmer intend to cover. They look to me pretty much
to be on the mark ranging from an assessment of immediate North
Vietnamese and GVN capabilities to the likely situation in September
and October as well as DRV strategy and GVN capabilities in the
1973-74 time frame.
Thompson is hesitant to give an assessment now which might prejudice
his objectivity during his visit, although we asked him to provide one.
He remarks however that he believes the short term prospects to be
favorable and he is now trying to work out "what Hanoi might do over
the next few months either on the ground or in Paris to help
McGovern".
SECRET/EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/12/19: LOC-HAK-24-2-33-6
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/12/19: LOC-HAK-24-2-33-6
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ZNY MMNSH
0 121421Z JUN 72 ZYH
FM LONDON
TO THE WHITE HOUSE
WHCA
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SECRET 1213481 JUN 72
FM ROBERT THOMPSON LONDON 950
TO THE WHITE HOUSE, FOR HENRY KISSINGER
PALMER AND I ARE DELIGHTED TO BE ASKED TO GO OUT AT THIS .
TIME BECAUSE WE MUSTHAVE FIRST HAND VIEW OF THIS INVASION PERIOD. .
WITH REGARD TO ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION I ASSUME THAT YOU WOULD
LIKE US TO COVER THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
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an
1. IMMEDIATE NORTH VIETNAMESE CAPABILITY TO RESUME
OFFENSIVE OR TO HOLD GAINS, INCLUDING INTERNAL GAINS IN DELTAr.
BINH.DINH AND ELSEWHERE. -
- 2. -IMMEDIATE SOUTH VIETNAMESE CAPABILITY TOHOLD
FURTHER- ASSAULTS AND TO RECOVER GROUND BOTH ON BORDERS AND
INTERNALLY.'
. 3. LIKELY MILITARY, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION
IN SEPTEMBER/OCOTBER.
4. -LIKELY LEVEL OF RiQUIRED U.S. MILITARY AND ECONOMIC
SUPPORT AT THAT TIME.
5. -LIKELY NORTH VIETNAMESE DOCTRINE, STRATEGY AND
CAPABILITY 1973,-74 INCLUDING INTERNAL VIET CONG CAPABILITY.
6.. LIKELY SOUTH VIETNAMESE POLITICAL, MILITARY AND
ECONOMIC STRENGTH 1973-74 AND WILL TO RESIST.
7. LEVEL OF U.S. SUPPORT 1913-74.
8. PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT.
I HESTITATE TO GIVE ASSESSMENT NOW WHICH MIGHT PREJUDICE
OBJECTIVITY DURING VISIT. OBVIOUSLY I WOULD EXPECT POINTS
1 AND 2 ABOVE TO BE FAVORABLE. WITH REGARD TO POINT 3 I AM
TRYING TO WORK OUT WHAT HANOI MIGHT DO OVER NEXT FEW MONTHS
EITHER ON THE GROUND OR IN PARIS TO HELP, MCGOVERN. IF
YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS PLEASE SIGNAL THEM TO ME IN SAIGON TO
AWAIT ARRIVAL ON 17TH.
WARM REGARDS.
GP-1
400
0453
MINN
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/12/19: LOC-HAK-24-2-33-6