224. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon 1
SUBJECT
- Military Assistance for Cambodia
Secretary Laird recommends that the Military Equipment Delivery Team (MEDT) in Phnom Penh be increased from the 23 now assigned to a total of 50 (Tab B).2 He also recommends that the role of Counselor for Political/Military Affairs in the Embassy, Phnom Penh, as CINCPAC Special Representative for Military Assistance in Cambodia be terminated. Secretary Laird believes that the addition of these personnel is essential to provide a minimum capability to discharge responsibilities under the Foreign Assistance Act and is essential to the administration, management and control of the military assistance program in Cambodia.
[Page 771]Secretary Rogers nonconcurs in Secretary Laird’s recommendation that the MEDT be increased (Tab C).3 He believes that the on-going SRG study concerning the full range of our military assistance program issues should be completed before any decision is taken to increase the number of personnel. State and our Ambassador to Phnom Penh have consistently opposed any increase on the ground that it would tend to raise our profile significantly and involve us more heavily in the situation there. State also believes that much of the necessary work can be performed by personnel on temporary duty rather than permanently stationed in Phnom Penh.
This has been a long-standing argument. The fact is that we have a major program with heavy deliveries scheduled over the coming months. We must do all we can to assure that we get the best results from the resources we are making available to Cambodia. Thus I believe that Secretary Laird’s request for an increase in personnel should be approved.
On the other hand, Mr. Ladd was put in the Embassy at your specific direction. He has an important role to play in effecting the kind of liaison relationship between the Ambassador, the MEDT and CINCPAC, which has in the past been of great value and which in the future will enable us to keep close tabs on the situation. There is a real need within the Embassy for a man to coordinate the various security related programs. I therefore recommend that you disapprove Secretary Laird’s recommendation that Mr. Ladd’s role as CINCPAC Special Representative be terminated and direct that his position in the Embassy be strengthened commensurate with the role of coordinating security related programs.
The memorandum at Tab A4 would give effect to my recommendations that the recommended increase be approved and that Ladd continue as CINCPAC representative with a strengthened position and role in the Embassy.
Recommendation: That you approve my forwarding the memo at Tab A.5
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 512, Country Files, Far East, Cambodia, Vol. XIII. Top. Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads, “The President has seen.”↩
- Attached but not printed at Tab B is a June 21 memorandum from Laird to Nixon. According to another copy, Nutter forwarded it to Laird under a June 5 covering memorandum and indicated that Moorer endorsed the recommendations of the MEDT Chief and Abrams for 77 more military personnel. (Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–74–083, Box 151, Cambodia 1971, 000.1–0.92)↩
- Attached but not printed at Tab C is a June 28 memorandum from Rogers to Nixon. Rogers also sent a copy to Laird under a June 28 letter. (Ibid., OSD Files: FRC 330–76–197, Box 61, Cambodia May–Dec 1971, 091.3)↩
- Attached but not printed at Tab A is a July 1 memorandum from Kissinger to Laird and Rogers informing them of Nixon’s decision.↩
- Nixon initialed his approval.↩