VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-533-6-5-8
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 8, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: April 10, 1969
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/08: LOC-HAK-533-6-5-8
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
April 10,. 1969
TOP SECRET SENSITIVE
DOS, OSD Reviews
Completed
National Security Study Memorandum 37
TO The Secretary of State .
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Vietnam
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
As indicated in NSDM 9 of April 1, 1969, the President has
directed the preparation of certain studies on Vietnam. He has
asked that the following papers be prepared by the interdepartmental
Ad Hoc Group on Vietnam and submitted to the NSC Review Group by
the dates indicated.
Phased Withdrawals
Mutual Withdrawal
This paper should examine the modalities of mutual with-
drawal, whether, agreed to :publicly or privately by both sides, tacit,
or de facto. It should cover timetables, phasing, types of personnel,
regroupment, local cease fires and any other relevant subjects.
Military, logistic, territorial and political factors and implications
should be considered. (May 16, 1969).
.b.. Vietnamizing the War
This paper should examine the modalities of US withdrawals
under conditions of our progressively turning over combat efforts to
the South Vietnamese in the absence of reciprocal enemy withdrawals.
It should cover timetables, phasing, types of personnel, regroupment,
and substitution of South Vietnamese forces. Military, logistic,.
territorial, and political factors and implications should be considered.
This study should reflect the findings of the preliminary
report of the Secretary of Defense on a specific timetable for Vietnarnizing
the ward (June. 13, 1969). ? (See NSSM 36)
TOP SECRET SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/08: LOC-HAK-533-6-5-8
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/08: LOC-HAK-533-6-5-8
Verification* for Mutual Withdrawal
This paper should examine various means and mechanisms for
verifying the process and completion of mutual withdrawals, whether
agreed to publicly or privately by both sides, tacit,. or de facto. It
should set forth the advantages and disadvantages of various types of
verification machinery including joint belligerent commissions,
reactivation of the ICC,, and creation of new international groups
(such as an Asian body). The paper should include a discussion of
our unilateral capability to verify withdrawals drawing on all sources
of information. It should consider how agreed arrangements can
usefully supplement our unilateral capabilities. (May 16, 1969).
Political Settlement for South Vietnam
This study should explore various types of political settlement
within South Vietnam and the possible US role concerning these
questions. The paper should examine all feasible options, including
elections at all levels, sharing of governmental power before and/or
after elections, constitutional considerations, agreed or de facto
territorial accommodations, decentralization of government power.
The study.should discuss the feasibility of each alternative and the
likely attitudes of the GVN, the various segments of the South Vietnamese
populace, the NIL, and Hanoi. It should evaluate the likely evolution
within: South Vietnam under alternative arrangements. Finally, the
possible US role m- in Vietnam as well as in the negotiations --
in achieving a political settlement should be covered. (May 16, 1969).
International Guarantees
The paper should explore the subject of international guarantees
for
any other appropriate aspects of an overall Vietnam settlement.
-m mutual withdrawal
political settlement in South Vietnam
~-~ the DMZ
mutual withdrawal, verification for mutual withdrawal, political
settlement for SVN, and our policy on the DMZ. This paper should
In so doing, the study should be consistent with the separate papers on
TOP SECRET SENSITIVE ?.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/08: LOC-HAK-533-6-5-8
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/08: LOC-HAK-533-6-5-8
discuss the advantages and disadvantages of attempting to achieve
international guarantees, and ways to negotiate them -- e. g. , at
Paris, in a follow-on international conference, etc. (June 13, 1969). .
Henry'A. Kissinger
cc: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
crnTD c N..r r Ti?m ri-Ms'CTTVT
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/08: LOC-HAK-533-6-5-8