ATTACHED MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO GENERAL ABRAMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-449-1-11-0
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 3, 2010
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: December 9, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/03: LOC-HAK-449-1-11-0
Drc.mber 9, 1970
FOR
THP SECU TARY OF DEF1'M5F
Att ada d bore r from Thee President
to C ral Abrams
The Presldeat bas asked that the following personal message
be seat to General Abrams ra as epwrs only bare!s via the
$t sd*ure genus.
H.ary A, Kissinger
Icuel are
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
HAK:AMH:mih:12-9-70
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/03: LOC-HAK-449-1-11-0
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/03: LOC-HAK-449-1-11-0
w
BY WIRE
TOP ECG' iZ79UTt E NOFORN
EXC EL.Y EYES ONLY
December 90, 1970
TOh General Abrams. COMUSMACV
FROM The Prresidest
I have been following the military situation in Casa closely
and am concerned that the situation over the coming dry season could
deteriorate seriously and permit enemy fore** to re-establish
themselves $a formerly occupied areas adjacent to Cambodia's border
with South Vietnam. Such a situation could develop through an enemy
strategy designed to neutralize or topple Cambodian resistance,
through the physical reoccupation of former enemy sanctuary areas.
through a combination of both strategies.
s freedom of action will obviously be enhanced to the
extent that allied forces permit the enemy to hold the initiative in the
weeks aheead. I believe that Cambodian determination, the improved
state of VNAJ' combat effectiveness, and remaining U. S. combat
capabilities represent sufficient assets to permit the adoption of bold
and aggressive allied counter-actions which could seriously dir
the exomy's dry season strategy.
For this reason, I expect you to undertake, in coordination with
the armed forces of South Vietnam and Cambodia, an intensive planning
TOP SECRET' ! TIME NQFORN/EXCLUSWELY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/03: LOC-HAK-449-1-11-0
 ? No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/03: LOC-HAK-449-1-11-0
t, Wi
cal limitations imposed on U. S. forces, is
designed to carry the battle to the enemy to the greatest extent possible.
Therefore, I have asked Dr. Kissinger's Deputy, General Haig,
to visit Phnom Penh and Saigon, arriving In theater on Sunday,
December 13, to further underline the impose I place on this effort
and to amplify for you acrd other responsible U.S. officials my
personal thinking on the mature and sees" of allied offensive operations
The limitakti under which our operations Most be conducted
may well result in actual or psychological setbacks in the days ahead.
Therefore, I want you to be continually aware of determination as
Coamnern er-in-Chief to insure the success of our efforts and my
unwavering c+ dence in your ability to do so.
T F' Ifili~l -ItN/ CGLtJSIVE Y EYES ONLY
HAK:AMH:mlh:12-9-70
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/03/03: LOC-HAK-449-1 -11 -0