GVN PRODUCE AND DROP LEAFLETS DEPICTING PRESIDENT NIXON GREETING MAO AND BREZHNEV

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-33-4-15-4
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: May 2, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-33-4-15-4
? OUTWE THE SYSTEM
RICHARD T. KENNF.Y
t, 1.
WILLIAM L. STEARMAN r
WILLIAM G. HYLAND
GVN Produce and Drop Leaflets Depicting
President Nixon Greeting Mao and Brezhnev
We believe the -use of leaflets (separately or conjoined) of President Nixon
being cordially received by Mao and/or Brezhnev will have a salutary impact
on NVA troops and cadre in South Vietnam. We propose that we encourage
the GVN to prepare and drop these leaflets. It will be a completely GVN
ope ration.
Vietnamese Communists are deeply disturbed by the thought of
Sino-American and Soviet-American rapproachment and all that
it implies for the Vietnamese revolution. Doug Ramsey (an FSO
prisoner of the Communists in South Vietnam for. several years)
talked to Communist cadre and is convinced that the North
Vietnamese in South Vietnam will be greatly demoralized by the
thought that President Nixon is indeed on friendly terms with the
leaders of the two greater Communist powers. They will become
aware that their leaders have lied to them.
-- The Mao-Brezhnev leaflets will also suggest to the Communists
that Hanoi's insistence, of continued conflict is out of step with
a world working toward peace. The leaflets will therefore render
NVA troops and cadre more susceptible to our radio themes
urging them to conform to the Agreement and stimulating their
desire to return home.
-- Mao-Brezhnev leaflets were employed by the GVN for a short
time in 1972 but were discontinued at U. S. request. There is
strong evidence that these leaflets were particularly effective.
MORI PER
C05106409
,r?-..- No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-33-4-15-4
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-33-4-15-4
49 -2- 4P
SECRET /SENSITIVE
We now propose that we encourage the GVN to produce and drop "Mao-
Brezhnev" leaflets - without our direct participation - over NVA troops
and cadre in South Vietnam.
-- In addition to photographs of President Nixon being cordially
greeted by Brezhnev and.Mao, each, leaflet would contain a
brief non-polemical text stating when and where President
Nixon met with these Communist leaders and the economic
and cultural benefits which resulted to each side from the
exchange.
-- We wish to encourage the GVN to wage a more active psyop
campaign against Communist forces in South Vietnam and the
Mao- Brezhnev leaflet operation would be a step in the right
direction.
- On 27 April CIA reported that the PRC may be encouraging
Hanoi to follow a moderate course. If this is true, Mao-
Brezhnev leaflets will be less provocative to the PRC than
previously.
-- The Soviets, who are also showing signs they seek a moderation
of the conflict in Indochina, should not react strongly to these
leaflets.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you give authority for us to approach the GVN to urge them to print
and drop President Nixon-Brezhnev and President Nixon-Mao leaflets.
APPROVE DISAPPROVE
SECRET /SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-33-4-15-4