Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXII, Southeast Asia and the Pacific

76. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Turner to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)¹

Washington, December 11, 1979

SUBJECT

• Vietnamese Starvation Policy in Kampuchea

Reference is made to your memorandum, dated December 3, 1979,² concerning the above subject. Following receipt of the President’s directive we tasked all Stations (50) with media assets or potential media assets to urgently publicize the Vietnamese starvation tactics in Kampuchea. As of 7 December 1979, three Stations in East Asia, [less than 1 line not declassified] had surfaced approximately twenty-four stories and editorials on this subject in both the vernacular and English language press. Most of these placements have taken place during the past six weeks. [less than 1 line not declassified] was able to get an international conference of over 10,000 delegates to adopt a resolution calling for humanitarian support and help to sufferers in Indochina. An African Station, [less than 1 line not declassified], was also able to place an editorial on death and starvation in Kampuchea. We are also awaiting the placement of a story in a prestigious [less than 1 line not declassified] newspaper based on a fact sheet sent out some weeks ago which highlights the Vietnamese starvation policy and war of genocide in Kampuchea, as well as the magnitude of Soviet aid to Vietnam. Additionally, [less than 1 line not declassified] has obtained some good film footage of Vietnamese atrocities in Kampuchea which will be shown on [less than 1 line not declassified] TV within the next two weeks. To further facilitate and exploit new information as it becomes available from refugees and Vietnamese ralliers in Thailand, we plan to have the [less than 1 line not declassified] advise all Stations worldwide with media assets of all new news stories placed on the Vietnamese starvation tactics in Kampuchea for possible replay or use by appropriate assets.

Stansfield Turner³

1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, CADRE C01434041. Secret. Denend and Rubenstein initialed the top right-hand corner of the memorandum.
2. Brzezinski’s December 3 memorandum to Turner is in the Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 6, Cambodia, 1979.
3. Turner signed “Stan Turner” above his typed signature.