Ford Administration Notes of the Cabinet Meeting

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 29, 1975 Notes of the Cabinet Meeting April 29, 1975, 9:45 a.m. The President convened the Cabinet at 9:50 m. The President noted the difficulties of the last two weeks. He observed that although the evacuations thus far had been successful, we are not yet over the difficult period. Our objectives during this period, he observed, have been to prevent panic in South Vietnam which would endanger American evacuation, deter North Vietnamese activity, and stabilize the situation so that a successful evacuation could take place. Secretary Kissinger described in detail the events leading up to the evacuation. He reported that at the moment 300-400 Americans remained at the Embassy. In the last two days 4650 people have been lifted out of Saigon and that approximately 45000 Vietnamese will ultimately be evacuated. Secretary Schlesinger reported that only a small security force (700) remains at DAO (Defense Attache's Office) and that the priority has shifted to the evacuation of Embassy personnel. The President stated that our original intention was to use C-130 aircraft for the evacuation, but that the shelling of the airport precluded that. Helicopters were substituted. Amb. Martin and Gen. Smith made a decision on site to include South Vietnamese with the American evacuees presumably in order to prevent panic. Secretary Schlesinger indicated that some difficulties had been encountered. Only two helicopters at a time can be used for Embassy evacuation; there had been sniper fire; the weather had not been favorable; and there had been some North Vietnamese firing at evacuation aircraft. In one instance our aircraft returned the fire and observed secondary explosions. DECLASSIFIED GERALD ? E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.4. MR 90-9,42 NSC etr, 10/12/90 FORD By KBH NARA, Date 12/17/90 LIBRARY