Office of the Historian

421. National Security Decision Memorandum 327, Washington, April 21, 1976.1 2

Washington, April 21, 1976

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON D.C., 20506

APRIL 21, 1976

National Security Decision Memorandum 327

TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence

SUBJECT: U.S. Policy Toward Thailand

The President has reviewed the inter-agency study on Thailand in response to NSSM 225. Having reviewed the options which the study proposes, the President has decided that the following will constitute our future policy toward Thailand. We will:

  • — Continue a security assistance program whose grant MAP component will decline from the FY 75 level.
  • — Not hinder the Thai in their efforts to adjust to new relationships with their Communist and non-Communist neighbors, and with us.
  • — Focus our bilateral economic aid program on problems of the poorer rural areas.
  • — Seek to improve U.S.-Thai trade and access for U.S. businesses and investors in the Thai market through the following:
  • - Point out to the Thai those steps necessary to create a favorable investment climate.
  • - Insist on a reciprocal aviation agreement, and not attempt to compensate the Thai for their own failure to exploit fully their aviation rights and opportunities.
  • - Continue to advise the Thai of our stockpile disposals and of our PL-480 sales in traditional Thai markets.
  • — Support anti-narcotics activities in Thailand through the following:
  • - Gather intelligence to the fullest extent possible on narcotics trafficking in Thailand.
  • - Work with the Thai to reduce the amount of illicit opium produced in Thailand.
  • - Cooperate with the Thai in suppressing narcotics traffic in and through Thailand.
  • — Continue to conduct information, cultural, and Peace Corps programs designed to demonstrate that good relations with the United States are advantageous to Thailand.
  • — Reduce the size and tighten up the organization of our official presence to make it more in tune with our reduced activities in Thailand.

This NSDM supplements earlier Presidential decisions made regarding retention of U.S. military facilities in Thailand.

[signed]
Brent Scowcroft

cc: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

  1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 1. Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.↩
  2. Scowcroft issued NSDM 327 outlining U.S. policy toward Thailand.↩