242. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State1
151. CINCPAC for POLAD. Dept pass DOD, JCS for action. Task Force/Saigon Message. Deptel 10552 requested by first week July full report and evaluation all herbicide operations to serve as basis decision whether to continue defoliation and crop destruction.
During period 1 Jan-30 June 63, only two herbicide operations conducted, first consisting of crop destruction in western Thua Thien Province and second of defoliation of segments of Cua Lon-Bo De Rivers in An Xuyen.
Crop Destruction
Crop destruction operation by hand spray was initiated 6 Feb but discontinued after destruction approximately 12 hectares as result change in military plans and logistical difficulties. Operation which resumed 13 May 1963 has resulted in destruction of approximately 75 percent of approved 140 hectares. Crops include rice, corn and manioc; susceptibility to agent demonstrated by fact marked changes visible 30 minutes to one hour after treatment. In 24 to 48 hours crops lose all color and signs of life.
It is considered too early to evaluate effects on VC of destruction these crops. Moreover, it will be difficult differentiate between food denied VC as result use herbicides and that resulting from crop destruction by other means. Nevertheless, there numerous indications VC food shortage Thua Thien Province, and it is estimated that destruction capability of unit using herbicides as much as four times that of hand destruction. As part of 1st ARVN Division food denial program, it is estimated that a total of 69.8 tons of food will be denied to VC as result current Thua Thien food destruction operations (this is in addition to 140 tons of VC stored food destroyed).
No Montagnards have been relocated as result this operation. Active psywar program using leaflets carried on.
Defoliation
An Xuyen defoliation operation carried out June 6-9, 1963. Complete evaluation of the results of this operation are premature since reaction time of different species involved varies from 15-60 days. In those target areas where growth consisted of mangrove, complete [Page 549] defoliation occurred within two weeks after treatment. Approximately one to five percent of leaves on hardwood trees appear to have turned yellow and fallen off to date. Continuing evaluation in process.
Although in mangrove areas visibility has increased 60-70 percent, no change in VC tactics as yet reported. Intelligence indicates few people in the target area at time of spraying aware mission had been executed. Psywar efforts were directed to leaflet distribution immediately after spraying.
There has been no apparent damage to crops in sprayed area. In view of limited extent and recent execution of these operations, they are not considered to provide sufficient information on which to base decision on future use of herbicides. TF/Saigon is hopeful operations scheduled for near future will provide additional information on which base such decision. One additional defoliation operation, Danhim powerline, was completed on July 27. Approval for three additional defoliation (including defoliation of road and road right of way Zone D) and two crop destruction operations has been requested by RVNAF.
There have been a total of 10 defoliation projects to date in addition to a number of defoliation research trials. Of these, 8 were essentially concerned with proof test of the system in the environment of which 6 designed to function. As such tact wage [tactical?] considerations were not in all cases paramount. The remaining two projects, i.e. Vau Lon-Be De rivers and Danhim powerline, have been based, in toto, on tactical needs and considerations.
TF/Saigon recommends Washington decision on future use herbicides be deferred until results further evaluation report, which we propose send prior October 1, are received.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-10 S VIET Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC.↩
- Document 110.↩