Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume VII, Vietnam, July 1970–January 1972

85. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon¹

Washington, December 9, 1970.

SUBJECT

• The Military Situation in Cambodia

Attached at Tab A² is a DIA appraisal of the current military situation in Cambodia. Its major points are:

• —Cambodian forces are having little success in their operations northeast of Phnom Penh.
• —The multi-battalion Cambodian force which began attempts to reopen Route 6 to Kompong Thom on September 7, 1970, remains stalled and seems unlikely to press on to its original objective, Kompong Thom.
• —On December 5, three government battalions were routed by the Communists in the most serious setback yet.
• —Recent Communist moves have isolated the town of Kompong Cham on Route 7.

The outlook is that without outside assistance, Cambodian forces along Route 6 appear to have little prospect for success in their mission. Moreover, the enemy threat to that force has increased and there is a danger that the column will be subject to piecemeal attack.

• —It is likewise doubtful that Cambodian forces by themselves can reopen Route 7 so long as enemy forces remain in the area.

Enemy forces west of Kompong Cham total about 3,800 men compared to Cambodian forces of some 27,000–28,000 men. East of Kompong Cham, the Communists have some 11,400 men whereas the Cambodian Government has only one 400-man commando battalion.

I have spoken to Admiral Moorer about this situation and expressed my concern that after repeated efforts we have been unable to get accurate intelligence until the situation has deteriorated.³ He states that one of the factors which have enabled the enemy to build up in recent weeks is the very poor weather conditions which have limited effective air operations.⁴

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 511, Country Files, Far East, Cambodia, Vol. XI. Top Secret; Contains Codeword. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads, “The President has seen.”
2. Attached but not printed at Tab A is DIA Appraisal DIAAPPR 47A–70, December 9, entitled, “Cambodian Situation in Vicinity of Routes 6 and 7.”
3. See Document 84.
4. Nixon wrote the following at the bottom of the memorandum: “K—I want an all out increase in bombing attacks in Cambodia—regardless of the budgetary limitations.” Kissinger informed Nixon in a December 11 memorandum that the U.S. 7th Air Force had been directed to intensify its effort “with all available means,” that tactical sortie levels had been increased in the past 10 days, and that the military was trying to increase its intelligence so that it could find better B–52 targets. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 587, Cambodia Operations, Air Support in Cambodia) In a December 12 memorandum to Kissinger, Rear Admiral Robinson confirmed that the order had gone through and that Abrams was insuring improved tactical air support. (Ibid.)