STATUS REPORT ON MILITARY STANDSTILL AND MILITARY READINESS MEASURES IN LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-18-1-32-5
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 16, 2010
• Sequence Number: 32
• Publication Date: November 3, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/11/16: LOC-HAK-18-1-32-5 3(1/5-4
11W
SEC<I sremv.
INFORIAAT
November 31 1971
FOR: MR. KISSINGER
JOtiNR. tiOLDRIDGE
;Statue Report on Military Standstill and
Military Readiness Measures in Laos
Aro3sessidor $u liven has seat you a status report on effort. to achieve
a military stamistill in north Laos 4nd on military reatlineas measure*
agreed up** by the SRG on Alava 10, (Tab A) A summary follows.
Military staadstill* There has been no progress toward achieviag a
military standstill is north Laos, and it is unlikely that there will be
any progress daring the course of the dry seas/oat
-- Daring the past few numilia, Sotivanna has been wavering in his
determination to push for a aeatralisation of the Plain of Jars. Recently,
however, he indicated that he world soon propose a partial cease fire
and bombing halt in north Leos.
Souvanna probably has few pea. that his proposal will be taken
misty, bat will affer it for the record+
-- There has been no improvemeat in the climate far talks, and Vans
Pao's forces remain in forward positions on the Plain, It is likely that
the NVA will attempt to diaodge them by military means rather than by
moves toward a military standstill during the dry season.
Mi/Atar_irea4inesta, There has been progress to implementing military
readiness namitures decided %pen in conjunction with the segettating
scenario for *lards Laos* Thave mitairareas bawfavor, mast now be viewed
within this framework of the expected NVA dry season affensive? and
uUivaa recommends that their cost should be urgently reviewed in light
of the funding limitations in the proposed Symington i Stennis amendment to
the Defense Procurement .Authorisation Act. (Comment: Our Lao FY..7Z
DOS, OSD Reviews
Completed
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C REV SENSITIVE
peiiditur.s are currently being r vett to *new that they come within
m1tos.a*ts 43$0 million ling. CALr proosast reading is that
25X1 there A.re no major problems 41theisig1 things vitt be very snag. 0M11
ind DOD are keeping this under carotid review 4ad ete will be alert for
any diilienIties iehich might A ti as.)
25X1
) A'
A-I s..osadrois
dry season us pasted.
rough the 1172
$) 114lieo sk421. The o of the sbt helicopter gunships to
piastre Msd.vnc iMasLons in Lao* has out yet been implemented. The army
the oda helicopters. and 27 Thsi pilots have been selected ler training.
ssador Godley has suggested that U.S. b nay crews be used in the
and rim Is currently studying the alternatives. (Comment: We
erstand Mr. Laird will probably oppose *sing U.S. pilots on political
ground.. The WSAG vetoed *hie ides when it was proposed eerlier.
CINCPAC is urgently working out foraya to get the scp-grade help training
tor the That done, The training utill take 4-6 weeks so that pilots sod
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/11/16: LOC-HAK-18-1-32-5
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/11/16: LOC-HAK-18-1-32-5
111P
SE 'T/SENSITIVX
3
liable for tho dry season d. )
ddititni to r.porUag on the implementation of this fivo RG directives
*hove, Ambassador SiJttvaa notes tho following:
r Godley has retueetsd fonds for munitions width would
U in the RLAY aorta, level from 3,000 per month to 3,300
daring the rainy season ad to 4,000 per month during the dry
*ease* at as estimated additional cost of $34. 4 million. CINCPAC is
reviowing this with Embassy Vientiane and will forward rocommondations.
(Commont: We have **Wad DOD to look into the states of this proposal.
D?) has *trinity told its informally that the proposed increased sortie
rate should cost *boat $10 million rather than the earlier $34 million
estimate. In any event, the principal concern is to aetortain 'whether
the anioant can be accommodated under the $350 million giallo/ or
*bather it would involve tatting other expenditures. )
25X1
Colonel Kennedy concur
SECRET/ E WYE
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/11/16: LOC-HAK-18-1-32-5