Office of the Historian

81. Summary of Conclusions of a Meeting of the Washington Special Actions Group1

Washington, December 2, 1970, 11:11 a.m.–12:07 p.m.

SUBJECT

  • Indochina Contingency Planning

PARTICIPATION

  • Chairman—Henry A. Kissinger
  • State
    • Mr. U. Alexis Johnson
    • Mr. Marshall Green
  • Defense
    • Mr. David Packard
    • Mr. Dennis Doolin
    • Mr. George Fowler
  • CIA
    • Mr. Richard Helms
    • Mr. William Wells
  • JCS
    • Lt. Gen. John W. Vogt
    • Capt. Charles Long
  • NSC Staff
    • Mr. John Holdridge
    • Col. Richard T. Kennedy
    • Mr. W. Richard Smyser
    • Mr. D. Keith Guthrie

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of CIA and JCS briefings and the Defense Department contingency study,2 the WSAG reviewed recent military developments in Indochina and discussed assessments of enemy intentions and friendly capabilities. It was agreed that these assessments would again be examined at the WSAG meeting scheduled for December 11, and that in the meantime a special effort would be made to identify possible weaknesses which might be exploited by the enemy during the coming dry season. It was also agreed that the plans being prepared by the Defense Department for dealing with military contingencies in Indochina during the coming months would be reviewed at the December 11 WSAG meeting.

[Omitted here are the minutes of the meeting.]

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–114, WSAG Meetings Minutes, Originals, 1969–1970. Top Secret. The meeting took place in the Situation Room of the White House.↩
  2. The Department of Defense study entitled, “Indochina Contingencies, Dry Season, 1970–1971,” dated November 30. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1–1 ASIA SE)↩