MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM HENRY A. KISSINGER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: February 1, 2011
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: June 24, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
You inquired through Alex Butterfield as to
whether or not "our recent actions'r triggered the June 17
rocket attack on Saigon. Reports indicate that two rockets fell
during the attack. One landed in the Saigon River and the other
about 100 yards from the US Embassy.
our review of the pattern of attacks on Saigon
does not reflect that our Cambodian actions have triggered
retaliatory Viet Cong rocket attacks. On the contrary, I would
suspect that just the opposite may be occurring. Since we
started this program, the only attacks on Saigon have been
isolated minor one, two or throe rocket launches, most of which
have caused little damage and light casualties within Saigon city
limits.
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An analysis of rocket attacks on Saigon compared
with the B-52 bombings of Cambodia appears to bear no correlation.
Following is a table of B-52 strikes and Saigon
rocket attacks since December 18, 1968.
February 22
February 23
March 2
ATTACKS ON SAIGON
7 rocket rounds-..
6 civilians KLA, 19 WIA.
3 rocket rounds-
6 civilians KI,A, 23
3 rocket rounds--
13 civilians KIA, 20 WLA
TOP SiGGRET-SENIgnium
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
 Z No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
CONTAINS CODMFOAD W
Table of B-52
strikes and Saigon rocket attacks continued:
DATE
ATTACKS ON SAIGON
v
March 5
7 rocket rounds..
22 civilians KIA. 28 WIA
March 15
4 rocket rounds--
l civilian WIA
DATE
CAMBODIA BOMBING
ATTACKS ON SAIGON
March 18
Breakfast
March 30
3 rocket rounds.-no
casualties reported..
April 24
Breakfast Brave
Breakfast Cocoa
may 12
May 27
May 29
June 1
June 9
June 10
June 17
1 122 rocket round --
6 civilians KIA, 9 W IA
2 122 rocket rounds no casualties reported
Lunch Alpha
2 122 rocket rounds --
2 civilians KIA, 25 W IA
Dinner Alpha
2 122 rocket rounds
no caeualties reported
..............
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
+ CONTAINS CODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
 . No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
1Ui s c&l>CT4 ITIVE W
CONTAZ1 COD OR.D
The above table shows that 24 rocket rowans bit Saigon
during the three month period prior to the commencement of our
Cambodian operations. In contrast, during the wing three nos
only ton rocketsrou nds bit Saidgon. I am inclined to suspect that the
distinct drop in the number and severity of enemy rocket attacks is a
result our Cambodian operations. I must add, however, "t there
has boa no positive proof to sustain this estimate. However, U our
operas ions have served to restrain enemy smogs, it
would be logical to anticipate some reduction in their inhibiting offset
over time.
On balance, I believe the recent sus Saigon
with the sporadic offensive "high points" which the enemy
continues to MO WA. During the weekend of May 11-120 159 Allied
bases and toqms were shelled. This offensive a ttWe mowed closely
behind the release of the NIX lO.?polnt Prate wlai would suggest
close correlat bretwoon, the shellings and HWUA'? negotiating
strategy.
TOP SECRICt.SZN ITIVX
CO TA t CODSWOPtD. --
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
 r Y9'rl rC. Y.i IN 9' Y A f. P'/ m
'`2%1L-No ObjectionAto Declassification in Full 2011/03/29 LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
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TOP SECRET-.SENSITIVE June 26, 1969 L7-9-- 14,V
CONTAINS CODEWORD
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: Henry. A. Kissinger
You inquired through Alex Butterfield as to
whether or not "our recent actions" triggered the June 17
rocket attack on Saigon. Reports indicate that two rockets fell
during the attack. One landed in the Saigon River and the other
about 100 yards from the US Embassy.
Our review of the pattern of attacks on Saigon
does not reflect that our Cambodian actions have triggered
retaliatory Viet Cong rocket attacks. On the contrary, I would
suspect that just the opposite may be occurring. - Since we
started this program, the only attacks on Saigon have been
isolated minor one, two or three rocket launches, most of which
have caused little damage and light casualties within Saigon, city
limits.
An analysis of rocket attacks on Saigon compared
with the B-52 bombings of Cambodia appears to bear no correlation.
Following is a table of B.-52 strikes and Saigon
rocket attacks since December 18, 1968.
DATE
February 22
February 23
Mar ch 2
ATTACKS ON SAIGON
7 rocket rounds-
6 civilians KIA, 19 WIA
3 rocket rounds-
6 civilians KIA, 23 WIA
3 rocket rounds-
13 civilians KIA, 20 WIA
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
CONTAINS CODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
w
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
CONTAINS GODEW ORD
Table of B-52 strikes and Saigon rocket attacks continued:
March 5
March 15
DATE
CAMBODIA BOMBING
7 rocket rounds--
22 civilians KIA, 28 WIA
4 rocket rounds--
1 civilian WIA
ATTACKS ON SAIGON
March 18
Breakfast
March 30
3 rocket rounds--no
casualties reported.
April 24
Breakfast Bravo
Breakfast Cocoa
April 25
Lunch
May 11
1 122 rocket round --
6 civilians KLA, 9 WIA
May 12
2 122 rocket rounds --
no casualties reported
May 27
Dinner
May 29
Lunch Alpha
June 1
2 122 rocket rounds --
2 civilians KIA, 25 WIA
June 9
Dinner Alpha
June 10
Lunch Bravo
June 17
2 122 rocket rounds --
no casualties reported
TOP SECRET--SENSITIVE
CONTAINS CODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7
? Ir
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE -3-
CONTAINS CODEWORD
The above table shows that 24 -rocket rounds hit Saigon
during the three month period prior to the commencement of our
Cambodian operations. In contrast, during the following three months
only ten rocket rounds hit Saigon. I am inclined to suspect that the
distinct drop in the number and severity of enemy rocket attacks is a
result of our Cambodian operations. I must add, however, that there
has been no positive proof to sustain this estimate. However, if our
Cambodian operations have served to restrain enemy shellings, it
would be logical to anticipate some reduction in their inhibiting effect
over time.
On balance, I believe the recent shillings of Saigon
have coincided with the sporadic offensive "high points" which the enemy
continues to mount. During the weekend of May 11-12, 159 Allied
bases and towns were shelled. This offensive action followed closely
behind the release of the NLF 10-point proposal which would suggest
a close correlation between the shellings and Hanoi's negotiating
strategy.
TOP SECRET-SENSITIVE
CONTAINS GODEWORD
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/03/29: LOC-HAK-553-4-6-7