ACTIONS ON CAMBODIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-460-2-8-0
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 18, 2011
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: April 6, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

41N-V6. ;la
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/11/22: LOC-HAK-460-2-8-0
MEMORANDUM
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
State Dept. review
completed
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ARMY review(s)
completed.
THE PRESIDENT
HENRY A. KISSINGER
Actions on CambodiP.
INFORMATION
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
MORI C03319248 Pgs 1-2, 4-11 = T
The following is a report on actions taken or under way on Cambodia
from March 23 through 12 midnight March 29.
OSD review
completed
Military Operations.
--Ground. Activity in Cambodia was up during the period. During the
night of 24 March, an attack with 122mm rockets occurred near Pochentong
Airport, with light casualties reported. FANK forces engaged in an
operation to open an enemy controlled segment of Route 4 in the vicinity
of Pich Nil Pass have reported several contacts in their advance to a point
about four miles NE of the Pass. ARVN forces engaged in OPERATION
TOAN THANG 01/71 reported two significant engagements in the vicinity
of Route 7 south of the Chup Plantation which resulted in 287 enemy troops
killed and light ARVN casualties.
--Air.
U.S. AVNK VNAF RTAF
B-52 21
TACAIR 390 73 183 2
Reconnaissance 93 41
Third Country Military Forces in Cambodia
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RVNAF
17, 297 men
--Trainin . 8, 238 Cambodians are now training in RVN
696 Cambodian personnel completed training during the report'
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perio
--Military Assistance. The value of equipment deliveries during week
ending 27 March was higher than preceding week, $3. 9 million compared
with $2.8 million. Material delivered follows:
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
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TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
Recovery Vehicle
Small Arms
Small Arms Ammo
(rounds)
Crew Served Weapons
Crew Served Ammo
(rounds)
U. S. Source Third Country Captured
1
21, 829
15, 466, 506
101
30,613
--Internal Politics. State reports that speculation and rumors of possible
coups declined noticeably during the week, as did apprehension of possible
terrorist activity in Phnom Penh. Chief of State Cheng Heng told Ambassador
Swank that in the main he, like Sink Matak, attributes the rumors to subver-
sive elements, but that price increases, lack of movement toward establishing
republican institutions, corruption, and Lon Nol's absence are all contributing
factors. Some other Embassy contacts would reverse the order, attaching
more importance to the problem of government activity and corruption. The
Embassy has analyzed the pressures for change in the bKR at some length,
pointing out that Lon Nol's absence has stimulated the recent resurgence of
these pressures. Although the pressures can be resisted in the short term,
they must be faced in the long term and it would be sensible for GKR leaders
to act to relieve them. Of the various possible actions, accelerated move-
ment toward adopting a new constitution and toward other reforms would
probably be the most feasible.
25X1
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
- No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/11/22: LOC-HAK-460-2-8-0
No Objection to Declassification in Part2011/11/22-: LOC-HAK-460-2-8-0
E
1-1 I") ur OLL/111.1
INTIINATIONAL SIIRURITY AFFAIRS
armo ?
tAi I 04 S. +13 r-cp
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
ATTN: MR. HERBERT LEVIN
SUBJECT: Weekly Report - Cambodia
31 Mg ij71
In reply refer to:
1-35338/71
Attached is the subject report requested in your August 15, 1970
memorandum.
Enclosure:
Report
cc: SecDef
DepSecDef
CU CS
ASD(PA)
Upm retoval of attachmaptA
boome,4
CrrrrriTIA
SENSiTiVE
TOP SECRET
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f,.
REPORT ON CAMBODIA, WEEK ENDING 29 MARCH 1971
MILITARY OPERATIONS
Ground. Overall activity level in Cambodia was generally up during
the period. On 24 March a Mekong River supply convoy consisting of two
merchant ships, three tugs, three POL barges and two ammunition barges,
arrived in Phnom Penh without incident. During the night of 24 March,
an attack with 122mm rockets occurred near Pochentong Airport, with light
casualties reported. FANK forces engaged in an operation to open an enemy
controlled segment of Route 4 in the vicinity of Pich Nil Pass have reported
several contacts in their advance to a point about four miles NE-of the
Pass. ARVN forces engaged in OPERATION TOAN THANG 01/71 reported two
significant engagements in the vicinity of Route 7 south of the Chup
Plantation which resulted in 287 enemy troops killed and light ARVN
casualties.
Air.
B-52
TACAIR
Reconnaissance
a/
U.S. AVNK? VNAF
21
390
93
THIRD COUNTRY SUPPORT
Forces Involved In-Country
73 183
41
RVNAF
Training.
17,297 men
A total of 8,238 Cambodians are now training in RVN
A total of 696 Cambodian personnel
training during the reporting period.
completed courses of
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and 25X1
MILITARY ASSISTANCE. The value of equipment deliveries during week ending
27 March was higher than preceding week, $3.9 million compared with $2.8
'million last week. Material delivered follows:
Recovery Vehicle
Small Arms
Small Arms Ammo (rounds)
Crew Served Weapons
Crew Served Ammo (rounds)
a/ AVNK is
U.S. Source
1
21,829
5,466,506
101
30,613
Third Country
he abbreviation for the Cambodian Air Force
-SENSITIVE.
sFrp FT
Captured
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? Copy. /I of 9 Copies
Page 1 of 1 page
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? I 1.%) %MILL v 0Lk.ii11.1 0[1\101
INTIRTIATIONAS SECURITY AFFAIRS
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT TO 'ME PRESIDEHT FOR
NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
ATTN: MR. HERBERT LEVIN
111 .1\11r
In reply refer to
1-3.5338/71
SUBJECT: Weekly Report ? Cambodia
Attached 1. the subject report requested In your August 15, 1970
memorandum.
Enclosure:
Report
cc: SecOef
DepSecOef
C/JCS
ASD(PA)
rl(Signocl
CRTIVE
ll
,.101
EYES ONLY TO?T
SECRE
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/11/22: LOC-HAK-460-2-8-0
Oa arron Nutter
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. HENRY A. KISSINGER
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: Weekly Report on Cambodia No. 32
Third Country Assistance to Cambodia'
1. Australian Training/Advisory Role. Australian
sources have told us that the idea of placing Australian
advisors in Cambodia has run into political difficulties
in Australia. We are discussing with Embassy Canberra
how we might raise the idea again with Mr. Gorton
during his forthcoming visit to Washington. Meanwhile,
the GOA is continuing to work on proposals for additional
Australian training of Cambodian officers, perhaps by
on-the-job training with Australian units. Consideration
of these latter possibilities has been delayed by the
change of government, but the prospects for a favorable
decision seem good.
Political and Diplomatic Developments
\'1. Internal Politics. Speculation 4 and rumors of
possible coups declined noticeab,ly during the week, as
did apprehension of possible terrorist activity in
Phnom Penh. Chief of State Cheng Heng told Ambassador
Swank that in the main he, like Sink Matak, attributes
the rumors to subversive elements, but that price
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/11/22 : LOC-HAK-460-2-8-0
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/11/22: LOC-HAK-460-2-8-0
Top sEcRET/NODTS/KHmER
(2)
increases, lack of movement toward establishing republican
institutions, .corruption, and Lon Nol's absence are all
contributing factors. Some other Embassy contacts would
reverse the order, attaching more importance to the pro-
blem of government activity and corruption. The Embassy
has analyzed the pressures for change in the GKR at
some length, pointing out that Lon Nol's absence
has stimulated the recent resurgence of these
pressures. Although the pressures can be resisted
in the short term, they must be faced in the long
term and it would be sensible for GKR leaders to
act to relieve them- Of the various possible actions,
accelerated movement toward adopting a new constitution
and toward other reforms would probably be the most
feasible.
2. Trials. The GKR has announced that Sihanouk's
son and daughter, Prince Norodom Naradipo and Princess
Norodom Botum Bopha, will be tried March 31 for "treason
through intelligence with the enemy." The two have
been detained since late 1970, when they came under
suspicion of connections with terrorist and pro-Sihanouk
propaganda groups in Phnom Penh. There is, however, a
possibility the GKR may approve a proposal to allow
Sihanouk's mother, Queen Sisowath Kossamak, to leave the
country. Previously she had been turned down, both
because the GKR feared she might be exploited in exile
by pro-Sihanouk factions and because her presence in
Phnom Penh was thought to offer some protection against
indiscriminate VC/NVA rocket or mortar attacks.
A military tribunal March 29 sentenced Col. Cheng
Sayomboan, former commander of Military Region IV, to
death for abandoning his troops in the face of the
enemy last April when the VC/NVA overran his area. The
trial had opened several months ago and had been
adjourned for technical reasons. It seems likely that
Colonel Cheng had influential friends, and that the
death sentence, whether or not it is actually carried
out, may be intended in part as a warning to other
incompetent or corrupt commanders that even good political
connections may not save them from punishment. "
TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
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TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
(3)
3. Lon Nol's Health. After further explanations
by his doctors, Lon Nol has reaffirmed his decision to
re-enter Tripler Hospital, on April 4, for an arteriogram
and, if indicated, precautionary surgery to reduce the
chances of a recurrence of his stroke. If all goes well,
he should be able to return to Cambodia in the latter
half of April.
4. GKR Budget. The GKR cabinet has approved a
calendar 1971 budget which comes down on the side of
austerity and could represent an important step toward
getting the economy under control. It projects military
expenditures of 11.5 billion riels (U.S. $207 million
at the legal exchange rate; half that at the black-market
rate) and total expenditures of 18.7 billion ($337 million)
against total revenues of 12.7 billion ($229 million)
of which U.S. aid counterpart funds would provide 5.8
billion ($104 million). The major strong points are
compression of military materiel expenditures,
significant proposed tax increases, and limitation of
civilian expenditures to the prewar level. The major
problem will be to ensure compliance, notably by the
military.
Theodore L. Eliot, Jr.
(.-mru". Executive Secretary
TOP SECRET/NODIS/KHMER
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