Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973–1976
Chapter X: Thailand and Burma: Document List
Document 363: Memorandum From the Military Assistant to the President (Scowcroft) to President Nixon, Washington, February 11, 1973.
Scowcroft conveyed Kissinger’s report of his meeting in Bangkok.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, HAK Office Files, Box 29, HAK Bangkok, Vientiane, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Peking, Tokyo Trip, February 7-20, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. A notation on the first page reads, “The President has seen.” The full memorandum of conversation from Kissinger’s meeting with Chartchai on February 9 is ibid., Box 1026, Presidential/HAK Memcons, January–March 1973, Folder 23.
Document 364: Memorandum From Richard T. Kennedy of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 7, 1973.
Kennedy recommended that Kissinger tell Clements to prepare additional military assistance for Thailand.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 565, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 10, 1973–. Secret. Sent for urgent action. Kissinger initialed the “approve” option, and a notation from Scowcroft indicates that Kissinger followed up by calling Clements. A notation on the first page indicates that Tab B, attached, the proposed telegram to Unger, was given to the situation room for dispatch on March 9. Tab A, a telephone conversation between Kissinger and Clements from March 5, is attached but not published. Tab C, telegram 3675 from Bangkok, March 7, is attached but not published. On March 16, Kissinger asked Richardson to make twelve 105 mm howitzers available for Thailand in addition to the eight C–123 aircraft. (Memorandum from Kissinger to Secretary of Defense; ibid.)
Document 365: Telegram 4623 From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State, March 22, 1973, 1236Z.
The Embassy in Bangkok recommended a reduction in U.S. forces stationed in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 565, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 10, 1973–. Secret; Priority; Nodis.
Document 366: Letter From Secretary of Defense Richardson to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, April 3, 1973.
Richardson provided figures quantifying U.S. Department of Defense spending in Thailand and suggested that they be shared with the Thai leadership.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–76–117, Thailand 121, 1973 April 3. Secret. On April 12, Rogers replied, “the tendency of Thai leaders to view bilateral assistance levels as perhaps the primary indicator of U.S. interest in Thailand’s security has long posed problems in our mutual discussions. Although we may never be able to eliminate this tendency completely, I am sure Ambassador Unger and his staff will appreciate and make good use of the newly-developed figures, which we are cabling out to Bangkok today. (Rogers to Richardson; National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, DEF 19 US–THAI)
Document 367: Executive Summary of an Intelligence Memorandum, Washington, April, 1973.
The memorandum examined Chinese support for Southeast Asian insurgencies and attributed this policy to the Mao.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OPI 16 (Office of Current Intelligence), Job 80T00039A, Box 4, Item Number 13. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Background use only.
Document 368: Memorandum From President Nixon to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, April 19, 1973.
Nixon announced the appointment of Ambassadors to Thailand and Cambodia.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 286, Agency Files, State, Vol. 18. Confidential.
Document 369: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Richardson, Washington, May 3, 1973.
Kissinger endorsed the Department of Defense’s request to maintain Thai Special Guerrilla Units after their withdrawal from Laos.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 565, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 10, 1973–. Secret; Sensitive. Richards’s memorandum of April 6 is attached but not published.
Document 370: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Richardson to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 10, 1973.
Richardson informed Kissinger about difficulties in funding the Thai Special Guerrilla Units.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 565, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 10, 1973–. Secret; Sensitive. In an attached memorandum, May 14, to Kissinger, Schlesinger stated that the 30 battalions must be retained through FY 1974, and provided options for doing so.
Document 371: Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Rush to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 18, 1973.
Rush submitted the study on U.S. counterinsurgency support for Thailand written in response to NSSM 159.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–193, NSSM 159. Secret; Nodis. The paper, dated March 30, is attached but not published. For NSSM 159, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969–1972, Document 174.
Document 372: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Acting Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence (Schlesinger), Washington, June 18, 1973.
Kissinger directed the DOD to fund the Thai Special Guerrilla Units during the 1974 fiscal year.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 565, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 10, 1973–. Secret; Sensitive. The Secretary of State also received a copy of this memorandum.
Document 373: Memorandum From John A. Froebe and William L. Stearman of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, July 20, 1973.
Froebe and Stearman reported to Kissinger on the Thai Government’s requests for a reduced U.S. military presence, and they recommended that Kissinger authorize a Department of State telegram in response.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 565, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 10, 1973–. Secret; Nodis. Sent for action. Concurred in by Eagleburger and Pinckney. Kissinger initialed the “approve” option. The Department of State sent Tab A, attached but not published, to the Embassy in Bangkok as telegram 144716, dated July 23. Tab B, July 18, is also attached but not published.
Document 374: Memorandum of Conversation, New York, September 26, 1973, 10 a.m.
Kissinger and Chatchai discussed Cambodia, U.S. forces in Thailand, U.S. aid, and relations with Hanoi.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 565, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 10, 1973–. Secret; Exdis. The meeting occurred at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Drafted by Bergesen; cleared by Hummel and Unger; and approved in S.
Document 375: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 15, 1973.
Kissinger informed Nixon of the change of government in Thailand and its likely effect on U.S. interests.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 566, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 11, October 1973–. Secret. Urgent; Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum on behalf of Kissinger. Near the top of the first page, Nixon wrote, “K—Maybe not so bad as we first thought.”
Document 376: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Deputy Secretary of State (Rush), Washington, October 15, 1973
Kissinger authorized a schedule for withdrawing Thai forces from Laos.
Source: [text not declassified]. Secret; Sensitive. Kissinger received this memorandum under a covering memorandum, October 10, from William Stearman of the NSC staff.
Document 377: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 29, 1973.
Kissinger offered Nixon a reappraisal of the change of government in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 566, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 11, October 1973–. Secret. Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum on behalf of Kissinger. A notation on the memorandum indicates, “The President has seen.”
Document 378: Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of State (Pickering) to the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, November 29, 1973.
Pickering transmitted the Department of State’s view on U.S. deployments in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Subject-Numeric Central Files, Top Secret Files, Box 4, DEF 1–1 US, 1970–1973. Secret. Barnes signed the memorandum for Pickering. Drafted by Dexter. Concurred in by Rush, Sneider, PM, and EA/RA. The DOD analysis of U.S. Deployments in Thailand, transmitted under Clements memorandum of October 13, is attached but not published. Kissinger requested this DOD study in a memorandum, attached but not published, from August 28. For NSSM 171, see Document 2.
Document 379: Telegram 1667 From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State, January 30, 1974, 1248Z.
The embassy assessed developments in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Paris, Phnom Penh, Rangoon, Saigon, Singapore, Vientiane, the Consulates of Chiang Mai and Udorn, USSAG at Nakhon Khanom Royal Thai air force base, the 13th Advanced Echelon at Udorn, CINCPAC, and DIA.
Document 380: Memorandum From the National Intelligence Officer for South and Southeast Asia at the Central Intelligence Agency (Christison) to the Director of Central Intelligence (Colby), Washington, March 8, 1974.
Christison forwarded guidelines for responding to a military coup in Thailand.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OPI 122 (National Intelligence Council), Job 79R01099A, Box 11, Folder 7, Contingency Planning for a Possible Military Coup in Thailand. Secret. On the routing slip attached to the memorandum, an unknown hand wrote, “Excellent memo. Let’s hold it for possible use at a WSAG or elsewhere.”
Document 381: Memorandum From Deputy Secretary of State Rush to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 14, 1974.
Rush submitted State’s response to Department of Defense proposals concerning U.S. deployment and equipment turnover in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 566, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 11, October 1973–. Secret. Davis’s memorandum of March 9, on U.S. deployments in Thailand, and March 12, on U.S. force reductions in Thailand, and their accompanying DOD attachments are attached but not published.
Document 382: National Security Decision Memorandum 249, Washington, March 23, 1974.
Kissinger issued NSDM 249 concerning U.S. deployments in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 16, Thailand (2). Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Attached to a Defense copy of NSDM 249 is a message written in red pencil by an unknown hand on OSD letterhead: “Sec Def said, `not sure I’ll do anything about this one.’ `More crap just to keep us busy.’ Suggest we tell Doolin to go slow + check with us at each step. T.” (Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330-78-0011, Thailand, 370.02)
Document 383: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 22, 1974, 10 a.m.
Scowcroft and Kintner discussed U.S.-Thai relations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 566, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 11, October 1973–. Secret. Drafted by Smyser. Froebe’s talking points for Scowcroft, May 21, are ibid.
Document 384: Memorandum From the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (Colby) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 23, 1974.
[1 page not declassified.]
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger and Scowcroft West Wing Office Files, Box 2, Folder 16, Central Intelligence Agency, Communications, 3/8/74–5/31/74. Secret.
Document 385: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 24, 1974, 10:30–11 a.m.
Schlesinger and Kintner discussed military assistance to Thailand, U.S. force reductions, Indian Ocean Surveillance, and OV–10 Aircraft.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–78–0011, Thailand, 091.112, 30 May 1974. Secret. Drafter by Kelly and approved by Peet. Schlesinger’s talking points from Kelly, May 23, are ibid.
Document 386: Telegram 9350 From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State, June 7, 1974, 1156Z.
Kintner complained about U.S. policy toward Thailand.
Source: Library of Congress, Henry Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical File, Container CL 238, Thailand, 1974–1976. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. An unknown person marked up the telegram and sent an attached note about it to Eagleburger: “LSE A rough message which you should read. Kintner’s pulled out all the stops—and in the process overstated his case. One point—a key one—he seems to forget: our expenditures in Indochina are as much in Thailand’s interest as they are in our own. Kintner does make a valid point, however: can’t we do something more for the Thais on such aspects as sugar quotas, textiles, etc.?”
Document 387: Memorandum From W.R. Smyser of the NSC Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, August 16, 1974.
Smyser asked Kissinger to approve a Department of State cable regarding renewed economic assistance to Burma.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Country Files, Box 2, Far East, Burma. Confidential. Sent for action. Scowcroft initialed his approval of the State cable as drafted. Concurred in by Ellerman. Tab A, the attached draft telegram, was sent to Rangoon as telegram 181158, August 18. (National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files) On August 17, Smyser sent Scowcroft another memorandum arguing for the superiority of working through an international aid consortium rather than giving bilateral aid to Burma. (Ibid.)
Document 388: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, September 12, 1974, 4 p.m.
Kissinger and Anand discussed U.S. force levels in Thailand and economic aid.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P–770087–0333. Secret; Exdis.
Document 389: Memorandum From Richard Kennedy and W.R. Smyser of the NSC Staff to the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, September 28, 1974.
Kennedy and Smyser asked Scowcroft to call DOD’s attention to the request in NSDM 249 for Thai force level options.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–245, NSDM 249, Folder 4. Secret. A handwritten notation from Scowcroft indicates that he handled the matter by phone. Tab A to Wickham was not found. In a memorandum to Scowcroft from September 30, Froebe wrote, “I understand that you have asked Defense (General Wickham) to forward the options study of our residual force presence in Thailand requested by NSDM 249 to the NSC staff by October 4.” (Ibid.)
Document 390: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 9, 1974, 4:30 p.m.
Kintner and Scowcroft described the situation in Thailand, U.S. force levels, and foreign aid.
Source: Library of Congress, Memoranda of Conversations, Container CL 284, Staff and Others, 1974. Secret; Sensitive. On September 27, in telegram 15626 from Bangkok, Kintner expostulated on “Southeast Asia in a Global Context.” (National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files)
Document 391: Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, November 14, 1974, 8:11 a.m.
Kissinger and his staff discussed Thanom’s activities and the political situation in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 5. Secret.
Document 392: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Washington, November 14, 1974.
Kissinger directed the DOD to produce an alternative scenario for U.S. military force levels in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–245, NSDM 249, Folder 4. Secret. Kissinger received this memorandum to sign under a covering memorandum, November 1, from Kennedy, which stated, “It is apparent that a basic difference of opinion exists between Defense and State, on one hand, and the CIA and ourselves on the other, concerning the ability of US combat air units in Thailand to exert any meaningful influence vis-à-vis the Hanoi leadership.” Schlesinger’s October 11 memorandum to Kissinger on “Long-Term US Military force Levels in Thailand (FY 1976 and Beyond),” is attached but not published.
Document 393: National Intelligence Estimate 52–1–75, Washington, January 9, 1975.
The estimate assessed the implications for the United States in light of the political situation in Thailand.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OPI 122 (National Intelligence Council), Job 79R01012A, Box 497, Folder 6, NIE 52–1–75. Secret. Concurred in by all members of the U.S. Intelligence Board except the FBI, who abstained. Thailand’s election occurred on January 26.
Document 394: Memorandum From Richard T. Kennedy of the NSC Staff to the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, January 15, 1975.
Kennedy asked Scowcroft to direct the DOD to produce an alternative policy option for the level of U.S. forces in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–245, NSDM 249, Folder 4. Secret. Sent for action. Concurred in by Smyser. Scowcroft wrote, “Done,” near the bottom of the page, indicating that he handled the matter by phone. The attached memorandum to Wickham on “Long Term U.S. Military Force Levels in Thailand” is not published.
Document 395: Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, February 6, 1975, 8 a.m.
Kissinger and his staff discussed the situations in Thailand and Burma.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 6. Secret.
Document 396: Memorandum From the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford, Washington, February 6, 1975.
Kissinger asked Ford to determine long-term U.S. military force levels in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–57, NSDMs, NSDM 286, Long-Term U.S. Military Force Levels in Thailand (2). Secret. Sent for Action. Ford initialed his approval of Tab A, not attached, which became NSDM 286. Tab B apparently refers to two memoranda from Schlesinger to Kissinger on “Long-Term US Military Force Levels in Thailand (FY 76 and Beyond),” the first, which presented four options, dated October 11, 1974 and the second, presenting a fifth option, dated January 18, 1975. Both are attached but not published. Tab C, not attached, is apparently a reference to Colby’s Memorandum to Thomas Bigley, then Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, of July 9, 1974 providing comments on Defense’s memorandum entitled “Long-Term U.S. Military Force Levels in Thailand (FY 1976 and Beyond).” (Ibid., Box 245, Folder 4, NSDM 249)
Document 397: National Security Decision Memorandum 286, Washington, February 7, 1975.
Kissinger issued NSDM 286 concerning long-term U.S. military force levels in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 1. Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Document 398: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 25, 1975, 4:30 p.m.
[not declassified in time for publication]
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 11. Secret.
Document 399: Telegram 8690 From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State, May 13, 1975, 1315Z.
The Embassy in Bangkok complained about the lack of information on the use of U.S. forces stationed in Thailand during the Mayaguez incident.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Country Files, Box 18, Far East, Thailand, State Department Telegrams to SECSTATE, NODIS (1). Secret; Flash; Nodis. The same day, at 1454Z, Zurhellen replied, “Regret fast moving situation here has made it impossible to keep you fully informed as we would otherwise intend. Matters you raise are currently under discussion and we hope to have word for you soon. Meantime, please do not, repeat not, raise this matter further with Thais.” (Telegram 110792 to Bangkok; National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files) Earlier in the month, Masters sent a telegram to Washington warning that the “often secret agreements we have with the RTG relating to our military presence here is coming unraveled because of Thai nationalistic sentiment, Thai popular mistrust of the old military governments that concluded the agreements with us, and a deep concern over the effectiveness of the U.S. military presence.” (Telegram 7857 from Bangkok, May 1; ibid.)
Document 400: Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, May 16, 1975, 8:08 a.m.
Kissinger and his staff discussed force levels in Thailand, the aftermath of the Mayaguez incident, and the basis for the U.S. military presence in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 6. Secret. An undated paper on “Secret Agreements with Thailand Relating to the U.S. Military Presence in Thailand” is at the Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand, Senator Mansfield’s Request for Agreements with Thailand (1). On May 19, Masters delivered a note, which the Thai government took as an apology, stating “The United States regrets the misunderstandings that have arisen between Thailand and the United States in regard to the temporary placement of Marines at Utapao to assist in the recovery of the SS Mayaguez.” Telegrams 115952 to Bangkok, May 18, and 4359 from Bangkok, May 19; ibid., Central Foreign Policy Files)
Document 401: National Security Study Memorandum 225, Washington, May 27, 1975.
NSSM 225 directed the CIA and the Departments of State and Defense to review U.S. policy toward Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 2. Secret; Nodis. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Document 402: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Deputy Secretary of State Ingersoll, Deputy Secretary of Defense Clements, and Director of Central Intelligence Colby, Washington, July 1, 1975.
Kissinger asked DOD, DOS, and CIA to make recommendations on U.S. force reductions in Thailand.
Source: Library of Congress, James Schlesinger Papers, Box 22. Secret; Nodis. Scowcroft signed the memorandum for Kissinger. In response to this memorandum, the USIB approved a memorandum, July 31, on the “Future of US Military Intelligence Installations and Units in Thailand,“ which was prepared under the auspices of the National Intelligence Officer for South and Southeast Asia, and reflected the views of CIA, DIA, INR, and NSA. (Library of Congress, Henry Kissinger Papers, TS 10, 8/75) Scowcroft received this memorandum under a covering memorandum, August 7, from Quinn. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand [12])
Document 403: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Deputy Secretary of State Ingersoll, and Director of Central Intelligence Colby, Washington, August 5, 1975.
Kissinger asked the Departments of Defense and State, and the CIA to develop a plan for the permanent resettlement of the Meo refugees in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand [12]. Secret. Sent for action. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the Office for Management and Budget.
Document 404: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford, Washington, September 22, 1975.
Kissinger recommended that Ford approve the signing of a memorandum to implement a plan to resettle Meo refugees in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject File, 1974–1977, Box 16, Presidential Determinations, FY 1976 (1), August-October 1975. Secret; Nodis. Sent for action. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum for Kissinger. Ford initialed his approval of Kissinger’s recommendation. Tab A, a Determination transferring $6.8 million to finance the plan, was not attached. Tab B, the memorandum from Kissinger directing implementation of the plan, is attached and published as Document 406.
Document 405: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Schlesinger to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, September 23, 1975.
Schlesinger presented Kissinger with options for U.S. force reduction in Thailand.
Source: Library of Congress, James Schlesinger Papers, Box 22. Top Secret. Tabs A, B, and C, the withdrawal rate schedules for options I, II, and III, are attached but not published. Schlesinger received this memorandum, with a recommendation that he sign it, under a covering memorandum, September 2, from Ellsworth.
Document 406: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Deputy Secretary of State Ingersoll, and Director of Central Intelligence Colby, Washington, September 24, 1975.
Kissinger informed DOD, DOS, and CIA about the President’s decision regarding Meo refugees in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject File, 1974–1977, Box 16, Presidential Determinations, FY 1976 (1), August-October 1975. Secret; Nodis. Scowcroft signed the memorandum on behalf of Kissinger. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the Office for Management and Budget.
Document 407: Note from the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, October 4, 1975.
Scowcroft criticized a paper on force levels in Thailand and recommended that Kissinger convene an SRG meeting on this subject.
Source: Library of Congress, Henry Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical File, Container CL 238, Thailand, 1974–1976. No classification marking. Kissinger checked the option to hold an SRG meeting. Scowcroft’s note was probably in reference to Schlesinger’s memorandum to Kissinger of September 23 (Document 405).
Document 408: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 4, 1975, 2:40 p.m.
[not declassified in time for publication]
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P–820123–2306. Secret; Nodis.
Document 409: Paper Prepared by the NSSM 225 Working Group, Washington, undated.
The NSSM 225 Working Group summarized its review of U.S. policy toward Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–15, Senior Review Group Meeting, U.S. Force Reductions in Thailand, October 17, 1975 [1]. Secret. Habib sent the summary and the paper with three annexes to Kissinger under his covering memorandum of October 8. The paper is attached, but not published. (Ibid.)
Document 410: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, October 17, 1975, 11:21–11:40 a.m.
The Senior Review Group met to discuss force reductions in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–24, Meeting Minutes, SRG, June–October 1975. Top Secret. The text of Colby’s briefing on the situation in Thailand, October 16, is attached but not published. A message from Scowcroft to Kissinger, October 20, contains the response to Kissinger’s request to Colby for an analysis of the likely Thai reaction to a continued U.S. combat presence. Colby estimated that Thailand would reject a U.S. combat presence beyond March 1976. (Backchannel telegram 51999, October 21, from Scowcroft to Kissinger; ibid., National Security Adviser, Trip briefing Books and Cables for HAK, Kissinger Trip File, Box 15, October 19–23, 1975, People’s Republic of China, TOSEC [5])
Document 411: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Deputy Secretary of State Ingersoll, and Director of Central Intelligence Colby, Washington, October 24, 1975.
Kissinger outlined the U.S. position for negotiations on U.S. force reductions in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–36, NSSMs, NSSM 225 (2), Review of U.S. Policy toward Thailand (2). Top Secret; Sensitive. The Chairman of the JCS and the Director of OMB also received copies. Scowcroft signed the memorandum for Kissinger.
Document 412: Telegram 282411 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand, November 29, 1975, 0120Z.
The Department of State reported on Kissinger’s lunch with Chatchai.
Source: Library of Congress, Henry Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical File, Container CL 238, Thailand, June 1974–February 1976. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.
Document 413: Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, February 5, 1976.
[3 pages not declassified.]
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand (16). Secret; Nodis; Sensitive.
Document 414: Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, February 20, 1976.
Barnes described political events in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand (17). Secret. Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum. Attached but not published are Tab A, an Interagency Intelligence Memorandum, February 1976, on “The Thai Election and Its Implications for the US,” and Tab B, a covering memorandum, February 4, from Bush to Scowcroft.
Document 415: Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, March 4, 1976.
Barnes reported Whitehouse’s claim that the Thai government has withdrawn its support for a significant U.S. military presence in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand (18). Secret. Sent for urgent information. At the end of the memorandum, Scowcroft wrote, “Whitehouse’s position doesn’t surprise me at all. What is present status?” Attached but not published is Tab A, telegram 5023 from Bangkok, March 4, in which Whitehouse analyzed opinion within the Thai government toward U.S. residual forces. Also attached but not published is Tab B, Intelligence Information Cable DB-315/02282–76 from March 4.
Document 416: Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, March 5, 1976, 8:05 a.m.
Kissinger and his staff discussed residual military force levels in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 9. Secret.
Document 417: Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, March 20, 1976.
Barnes outlined the consensus U.S. government view on how to respond to Thailand’s request to withdraw U.S. forces.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand (19). Confidential. Urgent; Sent for information. According to the correspondence profile, Scowcroft saw this memorandum on March 22. Tab A, the questions and answers from EA, was not attached.
Document 418: Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, April 2, 1976, 8:09 a.m.
Kissinger and his staff discussed residual military force levels in Thailand.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 9. Secret.
Document 419: National Security Study Memorandum 240, Washington, April 9, 1976.
Scowcroft asked the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of the CIA to examine alternative locations for U.S. activities formerly conducted in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 2. Confidential. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Document 420: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford, Washington, April 20, 1976.
In response to NSSM 225, Scowcroft recommended that Ford approve a memorandum setting U.S. policy toward Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–65, NSDMs, NSDM 327, U.S. Policy Toward Thailand (1). Secret. Sent for action. Ford initialed his approval of Tab A, not attached, which, once signed, became NSDM 327. (See Document 421) Not published are Tab B, attached, the undated NSSM 225 paper, which is summarized in Document 409; and Tab C, not attached, which is likely Kissinger’s memorandum of October 24, 1975 on force reductions in Thailand, printed as Document 411. Not published are Tab D, attached, a memorandum from Colby to Kissinger of October 23; Tab E, attached, a memorandum from Ingersoll to Kissinger of October 27; and Tab F, not attached, a memorandum from Clements to Scowcroft of November 4. (Ibid., Box 36, NSSMs, NSSM 225, Review of U.S. Policy Toward Thailand [3])
Document 421: National Security Decision Memorandum 327, Washington, April 21, 1976.
Scowcroft issued NSDM 327 outlining U.S. policy toward Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Decision Memoranda and Study Memoranda, Box 1. Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Document 422: Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford, Washington, May 3, 1976.
In response to NSSM 240, Scowcroft recommended that Ford approve a memorandum on alternative locations for US activities based in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–65, NSDMs, NSDM 329, U.S. Political Operations and Intelligence Activities Based in Thailand [2 of 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Umbra. Sent for Action. Ford initialed his approval of Tab A, not attached, which, once signed, became NSDM 329 (Document 423). Tab B, not attached, is the undated interagency paper prepared in response to NSSM 240, which the NSC staff sent out under a covering memorandum, April 21, from Davis to DOS, DOD, and CIA. (Ibid.) Tab C, attached, is a memorandum, April 24, from Springsteen to Scowcroft. Tab D, attached, is a memorandum, April 24, from Ellsworth to Scowcroft. Tab E, attached, is a memorandum, April 23, from Bush to Scowcroft.
Document 423: National Security Decision Memorandum 329, Washington, May 5, 1976.
Scowcroft issued NSDM 329 outlining military and intelligence activities that the United States seeks to continue in Thailand.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H-69, NSDM originals [2 of 2], NSDM 316–NSDM 330. Top Secret; Sensitive. A copy was also sent to the Chairman of the JCS.
Document 424: Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, September 16, 1976, 3:30 p.m.
Scowcroft and Whitehouse discussed US-Thai relations and Thailand’s prospects.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 21. Secret; Sensitive. Scowcroft saw a briefing memorandum, September 15, from Gleysteen before this meeting. (Ibid., Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 17, Thailand [19])
Document 425: Telegram 28513 From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State, October 14, 1976, 1117Z.
The Embassy analyzed Thai politics.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Confidential. Repeated for information to Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Rangoon, Tokyo, Singapore, CINCPAC Honolulu, Beijing, Vientiane, and CINCPAC for Polad.