298. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon 1
SUBJECT
- Clandestine Psychological Campaign on Cambodia
Director Helms has given two progress reports on actions taken so far in the clandestine psychological campaign to muster support for the new Cambodian Government and to thwart efforts by Sihanouk and the Communists to upset the regime or to erode its posture of neutrality.2
[1 heading and 4 paragraphs (17½ lines of source text) not declassified]
—Success has been greatest in the Far East where the Cambodia issue is live [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. In other areas the effort focuses on the relevance anywhere in the world of the plight of a small nation subjected to outside Communist force—non-U.S. involvement in the overthrow of Sihanouk is emphasized.
Director Helms is watching closely the responses to Cambodia’s calls for help and plans to focus attention on the concept of “Free Asian Aid” for a neighboring victim of Communist aggression. He is providing background information to field regularly to keep up the momentum of this campaign.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Material, NSC Files, Box 588, Cambodian Operations, Clandestine Psychological Campaign on Cambodia. Secret; Sensitive. Kennedy sent this memorandum to Kissinger on May 15 with a recommendation that he initial it and send it to the President. A note on the first page of the memorandum to the President reads: “The President has seen, May 21, 1970.”↩
- Apparent reference to Helms’ last two progress reports to Kissinger, May 11 and 18. (Both ibid.)↩