ACTIONS ON CAMBODIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-459-1-2-9
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: April 29, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASIIINOTON
April 29, 1970
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U. S. -- MACV has been authorized to conduct a joint US/ARVN
operation against Base Areas 352/353 (Operation Shoemaker).
It is scheduled to begin not later than 7:00 P. M. Washington
time on Thursday 30 April. Preparatory movement of
forces is underway.
-- U. S. Tactical Air, Gunships and Helicopter support will
be available. General Abrams has been given authority
to commit this U. S. support if it is needed, notifying
Washington when he does so. U. S. Air Controllers will
be on the ground in the III Corps area to coordinate air
and artillery support. Air Controllers in IV Corps area
will operate airborne. U.S. advisors (approximately 50)
are accompanying ARVN units.
U. S. 25th Division units will screen on the Vietnam side of
the border in the Parrot's Beak area. Artillery support
will be provided from the Vietnam side of the border as
required.
-- General Abrams has been authorized to use tactical air in
the Salem House area and against Base Areas 352 and 353.
-- Fourteen tactical air sorties were flown in Cambodia on
27 April with good effect against bunkers and supply
activities. No U. S. losses.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT: Actions on Cambodia
The following is a report on actions taken or underway on Cambodia:
Military Operations
ARVN-- The ARVN attack against North Vietnamese bases in the
"Parrot's Beak" was scheduled to begin at 8:00 P. M. last
night.
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
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 SENS -2- V
~.- The Carrier Coral Sea arrived in the Gulf of. Tonkin at
5:00 PM yesterday. The requirement to maintain a carrier
within 24 hours of the Sea of Japan 20-30 days each month
has been temporarily suspended.
operations off the Port of Sihanoukville (outside 12 mile
limit). A small Norwegian freighter was sighted entering
port. There still has been no reaction reported.
Two ships and naval patrol aircraft continue surveillance
Military Assistance
90, 000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition left the U. S.. for Saigon
27 April by air. 40, 000 additional will be shipped in the next
day or two.
-- 15, 000 carbines have been made available with 30 day require-
ment of ammunition. The carbines have been shipped by air
from the U. S. to Saigon for delivery to Phnom Penh. 33 million
rounds of ammunition are available in Pacific Command.
Arrangements for shipment to Phnom Penh are being worked
out.
-' Ambassador Bunker has been instructed to ask President Thieu
to make available GVN aircraft to transport ethnic Cambodian
forces (Khmer Serai) now in Vietnam to Phnom Penh as Lon
Nol has requested.
Diplomatic Actions.
-- The Vietnamese mission to discuss treatment of Vietnamese
in Cambodia arrived in Phnom Penh yesterday. If this mission
is successful, it may lead to resumption of full diplomatic
relations.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
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 itations to all Asian and Pacific
E'I
xOP
d inv
e on Cambodia and Indo-China. The
w"`exenc
onEeYence will be to find a formula for restoring
for x C
kta Of xr?'e a in Cambodia. The conference is tenta-
Jisc! security
fiCheduled for 1I--12 May but may slip a few days.
cior Galbraith will see Indonesia's Suharto today and
s:,b.5sa
prc$s for Indonesian military assistance to Cambodia.
jdications are, however, that Indonesia will not act until
after the Asian Conference which it is sponsoring.
We still do not have Australian Prime Minister Gorton's reply
to your letter urging military assistance for Cambodia.
-~ Communications equipment which arrived on 27 April is being
installed in the Embassy at Phnom Penh and should be opera-
tional about 1 May.
Press Policy
Charge' Rives has informed Lon Nol that the "Parrot's Beak"
operation begins on 29 April. Lon Nol was happy and will
state simply that the area in question is under Communist
control and he is unaware of what is taking place there.
President Thieu's statement on the "Parrot's Beak" operation
will be available early today.
-~ Press guidance and statements to be issued n Washington and t
Saigon have been provided to MACV. The Washington statem
will follow Thieu's statement and precede MACV. No other
comment is authorized.
Associated Press has reported a large ARVN build-up "possibly
for new thrusts into Cambodia" and mentioned restrictions on
access by newsmen. This raises the possibility of "censorship" 25X1
charges by an angry press corps.
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
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 AM.
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, Q.C. 20520-
TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
April 29, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. HENRY A. KISSINGER
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: Daily Report on Cambodia No. 4
Diplomatic Action
1. We have instructed our Embassy in Djakarta to
reassure the Indonesians that U.S. military support for
the Parrot's Beak operation is directly concerned with
protection of allied troops in Vietnam and should create
no doubts in Indonesian minds about our continuing, if
unobtrusive, support for the Asian conference initiative.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Galbraith has reported that he carried
out his instruction to raise the question of Indonesian
materiel aid for Cambodia. He spoke both with President
Suharto and Foreign Minister Malik. Suharto indicated that
he felt military assistance to Cambodia was an absolute
requirement, and that Indonesians were thinking of assem-
bling materiel to be provided Cambodia on an island to
which Cambodian planes could come to pick it up, and
implied that there might be a way to transfer materiel
out of South Vietnam via this arrangement. However, he
said that he had little, if any, AK-47 ammunition available.
Galbraith believes that both Suharto and Malik are receptive,
but that what they intend to do is not clear at this moment.
He expects to hear more in the next few days.
2. The GVN gave speedy agreement to our request that
the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) provide transport for the
Khmer Krom troops to Phnom Penh. We have instructed Rives
to take this up directly with the Cambodian authorities
and to make arrangements for the air lift directly with
Saigon.
3. Rives also has been instructed to inform the
Cambodians that 3000 M-2 carbines with ammunition are
ready for delivery by the VNAF. He is to make arrangements
directly with Saigon for delivery.
TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
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TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
2
4. An additional 2000 AK-47 rifles were to be delivered
to Phnom Penh during the course of the day. This makes a
total of 6000 in three shipments..
5. The Asian conference initiative stands as follows:
The following countries have formally or informally accepted
Foreign Minister Malik's invitation: Japan, the Philippines,
Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore. The
Communist countries and Burma are expected to refuse. The
Indian attitude is still in doubt. Ceylon has told us
informally it will probably attend.
Economic Assistance
We,are consulting the posts involved on the desirability
and feasibility of immediate Indonesian cash purchase of
exportable Cambodian rice (we understand the Cambodian
rice crop is significantly larger this year). The purposes
would be (1) to stimulate apparent Cambodian efforts to
draw rice out of eastern areas, and thus deny supplies to
VC/NVA forces, and (2) provide additional foreign exchange
earnings for Cambodia.
Phnom Penh Embassy Facilities
Following a request from Rives, we have authorized him
to lease the house immediately beside his official residence
in order to provide space for the additional personnel
already in place or en route.
In connection with the Parrot's Beak operation, the
press has largely ignored the GVN statement that the ARVN
units participating have received orders to return to the
territory of Vietnam after completion of the operation "in
the spirit of the respect for the independence, neutrality
and territory of neighboring Cambodia." News reports have
persisted in describing the operation as an "invasion."
Senator Fulbright, of course, has told the press that the
operation with U.S. support is "a great mistake" and "a major
escalation."
Theodore L. Eliot, Jr.
Executive Secretary
TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
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THE SECRETARY OF' DEFENSE
April 29, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Attached 1s the daily report you asked to be provided on
.the status of activities related to the situation in Cambodia.
v
UPON RE,,
TOP
copy---__/- __of.._.._F -r Spies
4 L-U! ~ Q-W L 2341
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 I ?& .--t5-, t*-- AgZc+oeZ
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TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE-EYES ONLY 291.600 EDT April 1970
Military Operations
- The RVNAF operation, "ROCK CRUSHER," against Base
Areas 367/706 commenced at 282000 EDT April 1970.
1. At 290800H April, RVNAF forces entered Cambodia in
the Parrot's Beak area, Svay Rieng Province. The northern
element with one task force 20 kilometers northwest of the
Angels Wing entered Cambodia and headed southeast. Two
other task forces entered in the vicinity of the Angels Wing
and headed west. At approximately the same time, elements
of.an ARVN armored cavalry squadron'from IV CTZ entered
Cambodia from two separate locations in the Crow's Nest.,
a.-Contact was.light to sporadic throughout the
period. Two caches were uncovered during-the day
amounting to 49 tons of rice and approximately 3,700
pounds of small arms and ammunition-. A 100-bed
hospital was also uncovered.
b. At.291800H the lines of advance for both the
northern and southern elements were approximately 7-10
kilometers inside the border and initial objectives
appear to have been taken.
2. Results by Corps Area
III CORPS
GVN
US
Enemy KIA
218
0
Enemy Det
5
0
Returnee
0
0
I/WPN Cptr
119
'0
CS/WPN Cptr
6
0
Rice
49T
0
Bunkers
0
0
240mm RKT
2
0
240mm LCHR
2
0
Friendly KIA
17
0
Friendly WIA
73,.
1
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE-EYES ONLY
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 IAL
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TOP SECRET-SSSITIVE-EYES ONLY 290 EDT April 1970
US SUPPORT
a. Artillery
CAL
RDS
MISN.
105
120
6
155
862
16
8"
92
8
175
67
32.
b. Air:..TAC AIR: None.
c. MEDEVAC : One-US
d. Resupply Missions: None
reported.
e..Vehicle Recovery Missions:
None reported.
IV CORPS
GVN
US
Enemy KIA
'6 6
0
Enemy Det
0
I/WPN
5-
0
CS/SPN Cptr
0
.0
Rice
0
0
120mm Mort
40
0
82mm Mort
37
0
61mm Mort
57
0
Friendly KIA
2
0
Friendly WIA
31
0
Friendly MIA
US SUPPORT
0
0
a. Artillery: None.
b. Air: Tac Air -- None
d. Resupply Missions: None reported.
B-52 - None
MEDEVAC - None
TOP.. SECRET--SENSITIVE-EYES ONLY
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TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE-EYES ONLY 291600 EDT April 1970
3. In addition to "Operation SHOEMAKER," scheduled to
commence not later than early on Friday, 1 May, Saigon time;
authorization has been granted for attacks on other identified
North Vietnamese/Viet Cong Base Areas in Cambodia, up to a
-depth of 30 kilometers. Primary responsibility for these
attacks, whenever possible, will be with GVN forces with US.
support where necessary. Recommendations for follow-on
combined operations will be submitted for approval on a case-
by-case basis.
.a. Ground. US support of.Operation ROCK CRUSHER is
detailed above.
b. Air. On 28 April-1970, two strikes were placed on
targeti-In Cambodia within the SALEM HOUSE Zone ALFA
area of operations. Total number of sorties: 12.
,,Significant BDA: -10 bunkers, 6 huts destroyed.
2 secondary explosions.
Enemy casualties: 5
Enemy opposition None
c. Sea. Naval surveillance off port of Kompong Som
continues with following contacts reported:
.(1) Norweigan vessel reported on 28 April 1970 as
a freighter was again sighted at 280300 EDT April
1970. Ship identified as the oceanographic research
vessel LOFOTTRAL 11.
.(2) USSR cargo vessel departed port at 271437 EDT
April 1970.
(3) French tanker "LORRAINE" (heavily laden);
Singapore to Kompong Som at 280635 EDT April 1970.
(4) Unknown vessel entering port at 280730 EDT
April 1970. Close proximity to coast precluded
close investigation.
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE-EYES ONLY
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TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE-EYES ONLY
5.
CAMBODIAN
a. The South Vietnamese Joint General Staff have
concurred in the redeployment of Khmer Serai troops
.to Phnom Penh and have agreed to use VNAF C-119
aircraft for the movement. Current Khmer assets
in the CIDG Program total 2,100. They are-organi-
zed into three 500-man mobile strike force (MSF)
battalions and one 600-man composite battalion.
Movement can be accomplished at the-'rate of one
battalion per night.
b. Each increment will consist of one battalion of
Khmer troops, 27 machine guns, three 60mm mortars,
three 81mm mortors; 15,000 rounds of ammunition and
6,000 pounds of, supplies. 14 C-119 sorties per
-.night will be required for the-MSF battalions and
16-sorties for.th.e composite battalion.
c. MACV has been given authority to execute this
movement and it is expected to commence not later
than 0800 EDT on 2 May. This movement will take
priority if a conflict develops with on-going
munitions shipments.
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE--EYES ONLY
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TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
"PRESS POLICY
Press releases on Operation ROCK CRUSHER have been
made as follows:
a. ASD(PA); 29 April 1970:
"The-Government of the Republic of Vietnam has announced
in Saigon that its forces currently are conducting opera-
tions.in the Parrot's Beak area along.. the Cambodian border.
The Government of Vietnam has stated the purpose of these
operations is to destroy an extensive complex of North
Vietnamese and Viet Cong bases and depots in Cambodian
territory, barely thirty--five miles from Saigon.
These bases and depots have posed an increasing threat
to the security of free world forces in South Vietnam as
a result of increased enemy activities in Cambodia and
along the Cambodian-South Vietnamese borders.
The. United States Military Assistance,Command, Vieti,am
(MACV),in response to the request of the Government of
Vietnam is prepared to provide support. This support will
take the form of advisors, tactical air, air coordinators,
medical evacuation, and some logistics assistance.
Before the RVNAF launched its current operations on
the Cambodian border, the United States Government was
fully consulted. The determination was made that the
action is a necessary and effective measure to save Amer-
ican and other free world lives and to strengthen the
Vietnamiz,ation program."
b. Ministry of Defense, RVN; 29 April 1970:
"With the objective to neutralize the North Vietnamese
communists scheme of using the Cambodian territory as
operation bases to infiltrate, shell and attack in the
territory of the RVN, and with the objective to effectively
save the ARVN as well as allied lives and the lives of the
people, the ARVN have launched an operation on April 29,
1970.
-TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
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 AML Ah
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TOP. SECRET-SENSITIVE
This operation is designed to destroy the enemy's
bases along the border in the Parrot's Beak, southwest
of Tay-Ninh, This operation is a necessary and effective
measure to save the ARVN and allied lives as well as the
lives of the people, and to strengthen the troops replace-
ment program.
In this operation the Joint General Staff of the ARVN
has requested and has got the support of the American
Forces in combat support, logistic assistance, medical
evacuation etc. . . .
The units participating in the operation have received
orders to strictly respect the lives and properties of
the people in the area of operation. These units also
have received orders to return to the territory of
the RVN right after the completion of the operation in
the spirit of the.respect of the independence, neutrality
and' territorial sovereignty of Cambodia."
e. COMUSMACV, 29.April 1970 :
ti In response to the request of the Government of the
Republic of Vietnam, advisors, air, logistics, medical
and artillery support, as required, is being provided by
COMUSMACV to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (RVNAF)
operating in counter-attacks against North Vietnamese
Army and Viet Cong forces deployed in the Parrot's-Beak
area of Cambodia just across the border from the Republic
of Vietnam.
Such support in the form of helicopters, artillery
and tactical air was provided initially by the RVNAF.
Supplementary support to help save the lives-of
Free World Forces and to'help accomplish RVNAF objectives
was requested by the GVN from US sources.
Authority to provide the requested supplementary
support was given in Washington as announced in a state-
ment there."
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
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TOP. SECRET-SEiVSITIVE
d. Lack of MACV provision, in accord'with previous Instruc-
tions, to allow US press access to US operations, is causing
major press complaints. This is under active and serious con-
sideration (by'OASD/PA) and other appropriate officials.
e. There is no public affairs plan beyond today. This
matter is being urgently addressed.
TOP-SECRET-SENSITIVE
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