96. National Security Decision Memorandum 1131

MEMORANDUM FOR

  • The Secretary of State
  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

SUBJECT

  • Republic of Korea Forces in South Vietnam

Having reviewed the alternatives for ROK force presence in Vietnam in the June 17, 1971 paper forwarded by the Secretary of State,2 the President has decided: [Page 248]

  • —The U.S. will support the continued presence of two ROK divisions in South Vietnam through CY 1972. The U.S. will plan to consider its position on the question of ROK force presence beyond CY 1972 with a review of the military situation after the 1971–72 dry season in South Vietnam.
  • —Negotiations will be undertaken with the Vietnamese and Koreans on the basis that there should be no increase in costs of U.S. support arrangements above those estimated for FY 1972.
  • —The negotiations should stress the requirement for improved ROK performance in the combat role in South Vietnam.
  • —The negotiations will not link possible U.S. redeployments from Korea with the continued presence of ROK forces in Vietnam. No decisions have been made on U.S. redeployments from Korea beyond the 20,000 space reduction to be completed by June 30, 1971.

Negotiations implementing this decision should stress the U.S. role as being in support of the GVN request for a continued ROK force presence in South Vietnam.

The Secretary of State should report to the President as appropriate on the progress of the negotiations implementing these decisions. The negotiations should be completed as soon as possible and no later than September 1, 1971.

Henry A. Kissinger
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 364, Subject Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Nos. 97–144. Top Secret; Sensitive; Nodis.
  2. Document 95.