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The President/Mr. Kissinger
4:06 p.m., April 24, 1970
-2- -
P:
Not uniformed, military men, but Helms' men to install the
equipment. This will help on our consideration. You might explain
to the Senator about that equipment. Another thing I would like to
know on COSVN is: If we thought we would have to hit COSVN in event
they took Phnom Penh -- whether or not they take Phnom Penh 30 days
from now, will the rains be too great?
K:
Almost certainly I know the answer. Westmoreland said it
can't be done in any effective way.
P:
If we take COSVN, we have to do it now?
K:
Yes, but without air support if it is done now. [In response
to the President's query], the rain situation changes in October.
P:
Not till then? Check that further. I want a clear answer to
how long our option lasts whether it lasts one month, one week or
something else. I am basing it on the assumption that it lasts two
weeks.
K:
The rainy season lasts for three months after it starts.
P:
As I understand it, we have only three weeks to exercise this
option. Assuming we are trying to find a way to take the shorter road,
I think we have to recognize we may not find another opportunity.
K:
That is right.
P:
These guys have been talking about a protracted war. That is
why last night, I had come to the conclusion you have to seize the oppor-
tunity when it is there, considering the weather, etc.
P:
I will talk to the Senator.
K:
It may take an hour to get an answer to those two things.
P:
You don't have to call me back -- anytime after two hours. I
am going out for an hour.
Stennis: Mr. President.
P:
I want to thank you for talking to Henry. I will sum up what my
views are: (1) I don't want us to get into a quagmire of military aid to
(NLN 07:20/9 P 2063]
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"ocrText": "The President/Mr. Kissinger\n4:06 p.m., April 24, 1970\n-2- -\nP:\nNot uniformed, military men, but Helms' men to install the\nequipment. This will help on our consideration. You might explain\nto the Senator about that equipment. Another thing I would like to\nknow on COSVN is: If we thought we would have to hit COSVN in event\nthey took Phnom Penh -- whether or not they take Phnom Penh 30 days\nfrom now, will the rains be too great?\nK:\nAlmost certainly I know the answer. Westmoreland said it\ncan't be done in any effective way.\nP:\nIf we take COSVN, we have to do it now?\nK:\nYes, but without air support if it is done now. [In response\nto the President's query], the rain situation changes in October.\nP:\nNot till then? Check that further. I want a clear answer to\nhow long our option lasts whether it lasts one month, one week or\nsomething else. I am basing it on the assumption that it lasts two\nweeks.\nK:\nThe rainy season lasts for three months after it starts.\nP:\nAs I understand it, we have only three weeks to exercise this\noption. Assuming we are trying to find a way to take the shorter road,\nI think we have to recognize we may not find another opportunity.\nK:\nThat is right.\nP:\nThese guys have been talking about a protracted war. That is\nwhy last night, I had come to the conclusion you have to seize the oppor-\ntunity when it is there, considering the weather, etc.\nP:\nI will talk to the Senator.\nK:\nIt may take an hour to get an answer to those two things.\nP:\nYou don't have to call me back -- anytime after two hours. I\nam going out for an hour.\nStennis: Mr. President.\nP:\nI want to thank you for talking to Henry. I will sum up what my\nviews are: (1) I don't want us to get into a quagmire of military aid to\n(NLN 07:20/9 P 2063]"
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