REVIEW OF U.S. ASSISTANCE POLICY AND PROGRAMS FOR THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-316-6-1-3
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 22, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 22, 1974
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/22: LOC-HAK-316-6-1-3
NATIONAL. SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
SECRET /SENSITIVE - XGDS
National Security Study Memorandum 213
October 22, 1974
TO: The Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of State
The Director of Central Intelligence
The Administrator, Agency for International Development
SUBJECT: Review of U. S. Assistance Policy and Programs for the
Republic of Vietnam
The President has directed a comprehensive review of U. S. assistance
policy and programs for the Republic of Vietnam. The study should
examine current assistance policy and programs and possible alterna-
tive programs that could be pursued over the next five years.
The study should be accomplished in two parts.
Part I Intelligence Appraisal
An intelligence appraisal of the internal and external military and polit
ical factors that may be major influences on the Republic of Vietnam
during the next five years should be prepared. This appraisal should
analyze anticipated enemy military, political and economic capabilities,
objectives,and strategy in the Republic of Vietnam and the impact of
other nations' probable actions toward Vietnam. The appraisal is intended
to serve as the basis for a review of U. S. assistance policy and programs,
their effectiveness and possible alternate courses of action.
This portion of the study should be performed by the intelligence community
under the direction of the Director of Central Intelligence and be completed
by November 5, 1974.
Part II Assistance Programs Review
Drawing on the analysis prepared in Part I, the study should (a) identify
GVN capabilities to meet the threat to its security, (b) identify U. S.
SECRET/SENSITIVE - XGDS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/22: LOC-HAK-316-6-1-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/22: LOC-HAK-316-6-1-3
SECRET /SENSITIVE - XGDS -2-
military and economic assistance objectives, (c) assess the effectiveness
of current U. S. assistance programs, (d) identify options for achieving
U. S. assistance objectives over the next five years and (e) examine
alternate sources of external assistance, where required. This portion
of the study should include, but not necessarily be limited to, considera-
tion of the following:
-- Projected alternative South Vietnamese force levels required to
meet the threat identified in Part I and the impact of these levels
on the viability of the Vietnamese economy and prospects for its
development.
?-- An assessment of the GVN's ability to counter anticipated enemy
strategy at various possible levels of military and economic
assistance.
The extent to which changes in GVN domestic economic policy
or military strategy can make up for resource shortfalls in the
face of the threat.
Alternative organizational structures
economic and military assistance.
administering U. S.
The study should present options for GVN economic policies and U. S.
assistance policies which would complement each other and alternative
aid flows from U. S. and third country sources to support those policies
over the five year period. These options should be stated in sufficient
detail to form the basis for appropriate programs to secure legislative
approval and the support of other nations..
Part II of the study should be prepared on a closehold, need-to-know
basis by an Ad Hoc Group comprising representatives of the addressees
and the NSC Staff, and chaired by the representative of the Secretary of
State.
The completed study should be submitted by November 29, 1974 for
review by the NSC Senior Review Group prior to its consideration by
the President.
cc: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Director, Office of Management and Budget
SECRET /SENSITIVE - XGDS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/22 : LOC-HAK-316-6-1-3 ,:..-. ?..- .1 I