147. Memorandum From Rob Roy Ratliff of the National Security Council Staff for Secretary of State Kissinger1
SUBJECT
- Covert Action in Vietnam
CIA submits two Vietnam covert operations for 40 Committee review:
—Tab A—Vietnam Council on Foreign Relations.2
[1 paragraph (11 lines) not declassified]
—Tab B—Program Against North Vietnam.3 For the information of the 40 Committee, CIA reports on actions planned in support of a WSAG decision of 17 July4 to warn the DRV leadership that their hostile actions will jeopardize the ceasefire and their efforts to rebuild their economy. A wide range of CIA assets will be used to support overt U.S. actions affecting the Indochina states [less than 1 line not declassified]. Costs, expected to be minimal, will be absorbed within available funds.
State, Defense, JCS and CIA 40 Committee principals approve continued support to the Council on Foreign Relations and noted the program against North Vietnam. Mr. Sisco advised his staff and CIA, however, that he thought the Council should be increasingly supported by the Vietnamese so that by next year “we can phase out completely, or at least sharply reduce, our financial support.”
Recommendation
That you approve continued support for the Vietnam Council on Foreign Relations at $100,000 for Fiscal Year 1975, and that you note CIA’s program against North Vietnam.5
- Source: National Security Council, Ford Administration Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Box I–012, Vietnam, August–June 1975. Secret; Eyes Only; Outside System. Sent for action. Kennedy, Stearman, and Smyser concurred.↩
- Memorandum for the 40 Committee, “Status Report of the Vietnam Council on Foreign Relations,” August 23, attached but not printed.↩
- Memorandum for the 40 Committee, “Proposed Covert Action Plan Directed Against North Vietnam and that Country’s Military Posture in the Indochina Region,” August 23, attached but not printed.↩
- See Document 131.↩
- Kissinger initialed his approval on November 11.↩