WSAG MEETING ON CAMBODIA - JUNE 17, 1970

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-523-1-9-0
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 7, 2010
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: June 17, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

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C' (5-10- P.143
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WAS
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. KISSINGER
FROM: John H. Holdridge & Richard Kennedy
SUBJECT: WSAG Meeting on Cambodia - June 17, 1970
Items for discussion at this meeting include:
-- Review of positive steps taken to aid Cambodia in the supply,
military assistance, intelligence, and diplomatic fields.
-- Radio transmitters for Cambodia.
-- Costs to the U.S. of assistance to Cambodia.
Cambodia MAP Program (FY 71).
The Green Triangle situation.
1. Review of positive steps taken to aid Cambodia.
? At the WSAG meeting of June 15, you informed the group that you
would begin by asking for this review.
A. Supply
- Where do we now stand on supplying captured arms from the
sanctuaries to the Cambodians? Do we have MACV's plan
for supply and training? (Ask Admiral Moorer, who should
have an updated listing of arms from MACY and the latest
on the MACY plan.).
2
NSS, OSD, DOS, DIA review(s) completed
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
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TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
? What do we know about Cambodian military training and?
\./ ability to absorb help? (Admiral Moorer should know or
be asked to find out.)
B. Military Assistance
-- Where do we stand on the use
Cambodia? (Ask Ambassador Johnson.)
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-- What are we doing by way of aerial interdiction in Cambodia?
By tacair ? (Ask Admiral Moorer or Packard.)
-- What is the GVN providing by way of air support to the Cambodians?
(Ask Admiral Moorer.)
-- What is the ARVN doing operationally on the ground in Cambodia
to relieve pressure on the Cambodians? (Ask Admiral Moorer. )
C. Intelligence
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
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TOP SECRET/S
2
D. Diplomatic
? What are we doing diplomatically to generate support for the
Cambodians? (Ask Ambassador Johnson for a run-down.)
-- Should we be doing anything more? For example, should we be
? encouraging the ROKs, the Japanese, the New Zealanders., or
others, to help Cambodia? (Ask Ambassador Johnson.)
-- What is the status of the Indonesian/Malaysian/Japanese follow-up
to the Djakarta Conference? (Ask Ambassador Johnson.)
? Have we heard more from the Soviets? Do we know anything more
about Firyubin's visit? (Ask.Mr. Helms and Ambassador Johnson.)
-- (If we have no word on Firyubin, you may wish to raise the question
of our seeking him out for discussions.)
2. Radio Transmitters for Cambodia.
-- The WSAG Working Group has drafted a set of recommendations
(Tab 1) for providing the Cambodians with radio transmitters to
rebroadcast Radio Cambodia programs into areas of Cambodia which
presently cannot be reached. Austrialian help would be solicited,
and we would also train Cambodian technicians.
-- The recommendations appear very cogent and positive, and should
cause no problem. There is, however, one item which the WSAG
might consider: the retention of an EC-121 aircraft after a proposed
redeployment date to CONUS of July 1, for missions over'South
Vietnam near Cambodia and possibly over Cambodia to rebroadcast
Radio Cambodia tapes.
Questions you may wish to raise:
-- Is there general agreement on the recommendations of the WSAG
Working Group? Is the equipment readily available?
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TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
-- Are there any problems in retaining the EC-121 on station
after July 1? (This appears to be a desirable move, but
Defense may have objections on budgetary grounds. If so,
you might ask for suitable alternatives, if any.)
-- Can we expect full cooperation from the Cambodians? (Probably;
they are aware of their deficiencies in the psyops field. )
-- Should we clear the cable transmitting the recommendations to
the field? (See Tab 2)
3. Costs to the U.S. of Assistance to Cambodia
? As our aid to Cambodia begins to mount up in terms of direct
supplies of arms and equipment and indirect support through
third countries, our financial load is also increasing.
-- You have directed that a number of studies be prepared on costs.
However, another related issue is the budgetary categories from
which these costs are to be met: We should be sure that the agencies
involved are fully capable of meeting their burdens.
Questions which you might wish to raise:
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-- Do the agencies involved in all these aid efforts have adequate
funds in their respective budgets? (A continuous, close check
will be required. Perhaps a weekly report is in order.)
4. Cambodia MAP Program (FY 71). A cable on this is at Tab 4.
-- A program of $15-25 million is being considered. We need to move
quickly on this to fix the amount, the items and the priorities for
delivery.
When will this program be spelled out in detail? (Ask DOD for a
specific date ? it should be within the next two or three weeks.)
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
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What priority will be given to delivery? (It must be a high priority
if equipment is to arrive within the next few-months.)
5. The Green Triangle Situation
-- in the incoming cable at Tab 5, Phnom Penh wondered if
consideration should not be given to the possible use of Cambodian
bases in the Green Triangle as forward areas from vth ich the
? Cambodian Army could possibly harass LOC's at some future date.
-- At the June 4 WSAG meeting, you asked for a cable to be sent to
MACV asking for its reaction to Phnom Penh's suggestion.
-- The DATT in Phnom Penh now wants to give logistical support at
"no cost to MAP" (Tab 6).
Questions which you may wish to address:
-- Should reconsideration be given to support for Cambodian forces
in the Green Triangle in order to permit operations to be staged
from this region against LOC's ? What do we say to the DATT
request?
? Have we heard from MACV concerning this matter?
. Other (If Time Permits)
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
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MIRMalpIE
MEMORANDUM FOR MEMBERS OF THE WSAG
FROM : WSAG Cambodia Working Group
StfliTECT: Cambodian Assistance:
Transmitter
The WSAG has asked thts Working Group to review the
question of Cambodian radio transmitting facilities 4nd
to prepare recommendations to improve Cambodian internal
capabilities if this is required. The Embassy at Phnom
Penh has indicated that one of the first requests which
the Cambodian Government made to it was for assistance in
improving radio transmission facilities over all of the
country. The same request was made by the COG to the RTG
?
and through them to us. According to the Embassy, Radio
Phnom Penh cannot be heard in such spots as Kampong Som
(Sihanoukville) whereas Radio Peking and Hanoi eome in
Loud and clear.
BACKGROUND:
For general broadcasting Cambodia 'las one station at',
Phnom Penh (Radio Cambodia) and a rebroadcast station at
Battambang in the west. Radio Cambodia uses two Phillips
transmitters bought in 1964 to replace two older Chieom.'
transmitters. Since 1967 two modern Phillips (120 KW
medium wave set and 50 KW shortwave set) have been used in-
domestic service. (Two Chinese sets, 13 KW shortwave and
20 KW medium wave; have been used for international broad-
casts.) Other smaller transmitting sets are also available,
including 2 10 KW Swiss-built sets and 2 one KW sets of U.S.
origin. ,The Army (FANK) has .a one KW shortwave transmitter.
Cambodia has about 100,000 receivers for Its population
of 0 million, most of which are concentrated around Phnom
Penh. However, increasing imports of inexpensive cramastor
sets contribute to a wider audience. Cambodia has about
25,000 TV sets and one transmitter in Phnom Penh.,
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IMEILEgaa
POSSIBLE ACTIONS:
- On the basis of the Embassy's recomMendations that
increased area and frequency coverage is desirable:, the
Wotking Group has looked at a number of alternatives
The Working Group believes that psyops in support of the:
GOC must be planned and conducted by the COG, and sees
the U.S. role as limited to providing the neteSsarY
equipment and, if required, training in its bper40-611
:and maintenance: :We see positive advantages to providing
the GOC with an expanded radio transmitting capability as:
rapidly as possible, including: (a) an increased ability
to reach 411 of. its citizens having radio sets, and (b) the
ability actively to counter Radio Peking and Hanoi, which
we understand have increased their Cambodian language
programs. We do not believe U.S. assete or US. prograMing
directed towards Cambodia should be increased at this time..
RECOMUENDATIONS:
A. Immediate,. We should begin use of the U.S. Navy
EC-121 (Project Jenny) aircraft Blue Eagle I as soon as
possible to carry taped programs provided by Radio Cambodta.
It should operate over RVN if at all possible, although
operation over Cambodia with GOC permission should not be
excluded if technically required. The aircraft should be
devoted exclusively to carrying Cambodian material for
Radio Cambodia. Blue Eagle I would not use Phnom Penh
airport, but would receive tapes outside of Cambodia for
broadcast. Blue Eagle X is due for redeployment to COITUS
July 1. This should be delayed, if necessary. Use of the
Blue Eagle I, which is immediately available, will enable
the U.S. to provide immediate assistance to Cambodia ;Milo
other longer term solutions are being developed. In additibn,
civilian radio engineers (preferably third country, but if
necessary U.S. nationals) should be provided to help up grade
the capability of current Cambodian equipment,
B. Short Terp, The U.S.. Navy's 10 KW transmitter eecelid
deplOyed, on a lean basis, to fill the priority gaps where
:Radio Cambodia does not reach. The ,Blue Eagle would provide
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broadcasts while Cambodian technicians are being trained
in the use of this equipment. The Navy transmitters
? would be returned when the Australians or others ate
able to provide an additional radio transmitter to Cambodia.
C. Lonv Term. Follow up Under Secretary Johnson's
initial discussions with Australian Ambassador Plimsoll
in hopes of arranging to have Australia provide the GOC
with a permanent 50 KW commercial .set. Such a unit would
cost between $220-380 thousand, installed, if purchased on
the open market. Training Cambodian technicians would re-
quire additional expense. Smaller 5/10 KW sets cost about
$70,000 installed and with spares. The Australians may
prefer to provide several of these in lieu of the 50 KW
set. If the Australians continue interested, we should
urge them to work with Cambodians on the most efficient
arrangements for teaching the largest number of Cambodian
listeners,
D. We should consider asking Japanese to provide low
cost, battery operated transiSter receiver for Cambodian
villages without adequate receiving equipment.
E. We understand that additional U.S. and Cambodian psyops
options will be considered by the Interagency Cambodian In-
formational Task Force which is preparing a report for the
WSAG.
Attached for WSAG approval is a cable which instruc,ts
the field to move ahead on the above proposals.
LEMEILEWs
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(ANNEX ..._A_ C4SAG Cmbodian t',!ort:in;?!,
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6/16/70
DRAFT
SECRET
ACTION:.AmEmbassTPI.INOlq?PNH
CINOPAC
...AmEmbaSsY
..CONIJSMACV
AmEwbassy CAIMERRA
AmEmbassy BAVGKOK-
StATE:
NOpT.S
JOIXP SLATE/DEFENSE MESAGE
SUKI: QaMbodian Ass4stance: Rad.to TranSmitA*1"8
REF:
(a) State 092869 (NOTAL)
(b) State. 091.97.5 (NOTAL)
(c): Phnom Penh 1.252 (NcY0L)
It has been decided to assio.t. Cambodians on ap immediate
bacd to improve domestic radio coverage of country to in,:
:crease CovCrnment cont7acts with thetopu:Lation and to Counter
increased CaMbodian language programing by RadLo Peking and
:Hanoi.
2. As soon as Em)assy Phnom Penh can arrange with Radio :
:Cambodia to begin receiVing Cambodian radio tapes, we wiLl
inttiate use of Blue Eagle I, M. Navy EC-121 (Project
:Jenny) aircraft to rebroadcast taped programs. Blue Eagre
should operate over: RVN if at all possible, illthough
? operations over Cambodia witt
COC permLsson should not
be excludcd if. technically Y*UiXed to cover g41Ps ii
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r.:oalo programing. Aircraft will be devoted
oxcluSivety to.carrying.Cambodinn. produced ulaterial
for :
Radio Cambodia. Blue Eagle 1 will not RPT not'. use PhnoM
Penh Airport or any other landing area
Cambodia. Blue
Ea;l I redeployment to CONUS on 'July 1 should be delayed
pending devilopment of longer term solutions to increasing
coverage of RadiO Cambodia.' Embassy 'Phnom Penh should
inform COC iMmediately of above secure their
and arrange with Saigon and COMOSMACV for
cooperation,
forwarding of
radio tapes and coordination: of. BiUe?EagleI'With peS.c.'25X1 ?
-radio. Cambodia. programl_ng.
H4. To fill in behind Blue Eagle I operation, and as re-
quired to fiLL priority radio coverage gaps such as thal:,
identified by Embassy at Kampong Son (Sihanoul