252. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1
SUBJECT
- Psychological Offensive—Vietnam
Mr. Helms reports2 Hanoi has indicated continuing concern over the effects of our psychological warfare activities on the North Vietnamese populace.
[Page 931]—On five separate occasions within the past month, Radio Hanoi has denounced our Radio Hanoi Mimic and replayed portions of our programs to point out differences between Radio Hanoi and our mimic.3
—In harshly attacking our “Mother Vietnam” radio on 10 August, Radio Hanoi explained how “Mother Vietnam” parodies popular militant North Vietnamese songs by substituting pro-peace lyrics. It characterized our parodies as “CIA Mimic.”
Responding to the demonstrated sensitivity in Hanoi, “Mother Vietnam” broadcasts have included in each hour of broadcasting at least one playing of the parody-song followed by a repetition of the lyrics at dictation speed so the North Vietnamese audience can copy them.
A further indication that Hanoi is increasingly sensitive to our psywar campaign is contained in an editorial in the party daily of 19 August. In telling Hanoi’s audiences at home and abroad that the Vietnamese communists remain capable—materially and morally—of carrying on the struggle, the editorial blames “cunning U.S. psychological warfare schemes” for speculation that the North Vietnamese are at the end of their tether.
We have clearly reached the point in our psywar campaign where Hanoi’s public denunciation of our psywar efforts gives us excellent opportunities to keep pouring salt into Hanoi’s wounds.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 116, Subject Files, Vietnam Psychological Warfare against NVN. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it.↩
- In an August 17 memorandum to Kissinger; ibid.↩
- In the margin beside this paragraph and the next the President wrote: “good.”↩