LAOS (LAMSON 719) CAMBODIA (TOAN THANG) 01/71

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-477-18-25-6
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2010
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: March 20, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/09/09 LOC-HAK-477-18-25-6
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM OF BRIEFING
PRESENT: Henry A. Kissinger
Colonel Kennedy
David R. Young (note taker)
SUBJECT: Laos (Lamson 719)
Cambodia (Town Thang) 01/71
BRIEFER: Lt. Colonel Martin
DATE: March 20, 1971
LAOS
March 20, 1971
Kissinger: It looks like they will be out of there by Wednesday or
do you think they will stay until April 5?
Martin: No, I think.they will be out next week. The people the furthest
out will be brought back today. There is another unit just north of 9 and
just east of 92 which we tried to extract two times yesterday but couldn't
because of heavy fire. The enemy is hanging on to them and they know
we are trying to get them out. It seems that the enemy orders are to
prevent us getting them out.
Kissinger to Kennedy: Will you have a Q&A prepared for the President on
the question "What do you mean the South Vietnamese can hack it? "
Kennedy: It is already done.
Kissinger to Martin: When did you find out that they were going to move
out this quickly? As late as Wednesday we had units in the area here just
southeast of Tchepone. How long do you think it is going to be before they
get out?
Martin: I don't know sir.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/09/09: LOC-HAK-477-18-25-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/09/09: LOC-HAK-477-18-25-6
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE 1/71-0 2
Kissinger: What's your own personal opinion? What is your judgment?
Martin; I think they'll probably be out by Tuesday. All except for around
Co Roc which overlooks Khe Sank and from which they shelled us when we
were 'there before. I think it is necessary for them to stay there. Has
Haig given you any report on. this?
Kissinger: Well, Thieu has told them to stay there but we don't know
what they'll do.
Martin: The units that are out there now are quite concentrated and if the
enemy realizes this they may well hit them hard, but the ARVN may decide
to hold.
Kissinger: It is impossible. They'll move out. I notice the Marines are
also moving back.
Martin: Yes, they've pulled back. Ostensibly the reason was that they
went back to help out a unit that was taking fire and anticipated a ground
assault. But I think they are really pulling back to block the road from
the south while the others move out along Route 9.
Kissinger: This seems to be the first time that they've used Route 9.
Martin: No, not exactly. They've used it for resupply and to bring in
some of the other units. One good thing planned for today is about twelve
B-52 strikes which will ring the furthest units west.
CAMB ODIA
Kissinger: How are they doing today down here? (Base Area 354)
Martin: They said they are searching for the enemy but there is nothing
there. The most that they will ever find there is about eight enemy.
Kissinger: How many do we have searching?
Martin: One task force and four battalions. The real name of the game
is for them to move up to the northeast into this more lucrative area