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1970 Outbound From APB Part 3: Butterfield Chron May – June 1970 [8 of 16]
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1970 Outbound From APB Part 3: Butterfield Chron May – June 1970 [8 of 16]
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Alexander P. Butterfield's Files
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Chron
May 8, 1970
12:10 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR: MR. HALDEMAN
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
RE:
Telephone Call from Secretary Finch
I took a call to you from Bob Finch earlier this morning. He merely
wanted to report that the "Under Secretaries' meeting" at HEW went
very well
....
and that a release was put out to the effect that the
President had asked Administration representatives to be made
available to listen to the grievances of outside groups, answer
their questions, etc.
Apart from the above, he wanted to know what your plans were with
regard to the White House Fellows' function at Airlie House this
coming Sunday. He said he thought it would be a good idea to at
least show up -- if only for a while. He would like to go along
with you (if you're going) and would be willing to make the trip
down and back anytime Saturday night or Sunday ... perhaps by
chopper. Although he was in no hurry for a response, I told him
one of us would get back to him on the matter before the end of the
day.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
May 11, 1970
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Briefing Material
Here are the latest figures indicating U. S. troop successes
in Cambodia.
Alexander Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
08:00 a.m., May 11, 1970
Total Operations
Individual Weapons
6,184
Crew Served Weapons
827
Bunkers Destroyed
2,779
Small Arms Ammunition
8,286,909
(Rounds)
Machine Gun Rounds
6,579,132
Rifle Rounds
1,607,777
Grenades
11,455
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
3,120
Mortar Rounds
6,888
Large Rocket Rounds
814
Smaller Rocket Rounds
8,929
Recoilles Rifle Rounds
9,366
Rice (lbs)
3,514,000
Man Months
78,038
Vehicles
146
Boats
40
Enemy KIA
4,543
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,240
US KIA
85
ARVN KIA
249
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Chron
THE white HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 12, 1970
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Briefing Material
Here are the most recently compiled statistics on the
Cambodian operation.
Alexander P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
08:00 a.m., May 12, 1970
Total Operations
Individual Weapons
7,068
Crew Served Weapons
964
Bunkers Destroyed
3,237
Small Arms Ammunition
8,458,325
(Rounds)
Machine Gun Rounds
6,709,086
Rifle Rounds
1,749,239
Grenades
11,610
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
3,120
Mortar Rounds
10,441
Large Rocket Rounds
814
Smaller Rocket Rounds
8,535
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
9,512
Rice (lbs)
3,692,000
Man Months
83,149
Vehicles
167
Boats
40
Enemy KIA
5,004
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,360
US KIA
89
ARVN KIA
268
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Chrra
May 12, 1970
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. HALDEMAN
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
RE:
Individual Efforts of Cabinet Members
to Support the President's Cambodian
Action
Here it is Tuesday morning and there is pitifully little to show for my
direct request of each Cabinet member that he cite the actions he
personally has taken to support the President's decision to move
against the Cambodian border sanctuaries. (See attached material.)
I feel certain that those who didn't come through had good intentions but
simply "forgot" to pass their reports my way.
Of course, as you said yourself on Saturday morning, the phone calls
alone made "the point"
and most certainly should have served to
generate some noticeable rallying to the cause.
Attachments
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Secretary William P. Rogers
-
-
Will support the President's position in a talk to the
Business Council Saturday evening at Hot Springs.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Secretary David M. Kennedy
--
Appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
on May 6th and used that forum to express his support
for the President's decision
and to encourage the
Committee's support.
- -
Will support the President's position in a talk to the
Business Council Saturday night at Hot Springs.
Under Secretary Charls E. Walker
- -
Strongly supported the President's position in a speech
to business students at the University of Missouri, in a
speech to the National Association of Business Writers
and during a press conference in Boston.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT
Postmaster General Winton M. Blount
Called Governors Kirk, Rockefeller, Holton, Bartlett
and Nunn
and received favorable responses from
each.
-
Strongly supported the President's decision in a talk
to the Detroit Economic Club.
Held editorial meetings with each of the Detroit news-
papers (Free Press and News) and emphasized wisdom
of President's decision.
-
Held press conference in Detroit.
Addressed group of 40 college students and reaffirmed
the wisdom of the President's decision to hit supply
areas along the Cambodia-South Vietnam border.
(Comments during this discussion carried in two
newspapers, on three TV stations, and on 3 radio
broadcasts.)
Scheduled to meet for a "general discussion" with 15
students from Princeton University. (Date as yet un-
certain - - Meeting to be part of Project Update
Will strongly support the President.)
Assistant Postmaster General Frank Nunlist
Addressed the Kentucky Chapter of the National Associa-
tion of Postmasters and devoted considerable time to
stressing the importance of the President's decision.
(Talk was favorably received by entire group.)
Assistant Postmaster General Ron Lee
-
Spoke before graduate students at Syracuse University.
Emphasized wisdom of President's decision during
question-and-answer period.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT
Postmaster General Winton M. Blount
Called Governors Kirk, Rockefeller, Holton, Bartlett
and Nunn
and received favorable responses from
each.
Strongly supported the President's decision in a talk
to the Detroit Economic Club.
Held editorial meetings with each of the Detroit news-
papers (Free Press and News) and emphasized wisdom
of President's decision.
- -
Held press conference in Detroit.
- -
Addressed group of 40 college students and reaffirmed
the wisdom of the President's decision to hit supply
areas along the Cambodia-South Vietnam border.
(Comments during this discussion carried in two
newspapers, on three TV stations, and on 3 radio
broadcasts.)
Scheduled to meet for a "general discussion" with 15
students from Princeton University. (Date as yet un-
certain -- Meeting to be part of Project Update
Will strongly support the President.)
Assistant Postmaster General Frank Nunlist
Addressed the Kentucky Chapter of the National Associa-
tion of Postmasters and devoted considerable time to
stressing the importance of the President's decision.
(Talk was favorably received by entire group.)
Assistant Postmaster General Ron Lee
Spoke before graduate students at Syracuse University.
Emphasized wisdom of President's decision during
question-and-answer period.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Secretary Clifford M. Hardin
--
Called Dean Grether, University of Nebraska,
concerning request from Dean McKay of NYU for
closing of Law Schools and elimination of final
exams as a part of protest re Cambodia, Dean
Grether opposes McKay's request.
Called President Henry, University of Illinois,
concerning campus tensions. He is trying to
help us.
- -
Spent one hour with Cornell University students
discussing Vietnam-Cambodia situation and
attempting to put our actions in historical per-
spective.
Briefed Mr. William McMillen, Executive Vice
President of the American National Cattlemen's
Association, re Vietnam-Cambodia. Emphasized
key points in President's rationale re recent
decision.
Have explained correctness of President's decision
in personal conversations with Governors Tiemann,
Farrar and LeVander.
Under Secretary J. Phil Campbell
Visited University of Georgia and talked to students.
Emphasized reasons for President's position on
Cambodia.
Held numerous discussions in the State of Georgia
with businessmen and farmers. In all cases, the
salient points in the President's April 30th talk
were stressed. (Almost all of the persons spoken
to felt that the President knew what he was doing
and indicated a complete willingness to trust him
with national security decisions.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
- 2 -
Assistant Secretary Clarence Palmby
- -
Supported the President's decision in separate
discussions with seven German agricultural
business leaders, delegats of the American
Meat Institute, and Congresswoman Catherine
May.
Assistant Secretary T. K. Cowden
--
Spoke to three college Administrators at Michigan
State University and attempted to explain the reasons
for the President's Cambodian action. (The group
was not sympathetic
but more because of what
they termed "the treatment the colleges have
received -- and the comments directed to college
youth by the President and the Vice President"
than because of a lack of understanding of inter-
national political realities.)
Deputy Under Secretary William Galbraith
- -
Attended National Executive Committee Meetings
of the American Legion Advisory Committee at
Indianapolis May 4-6
and while there:
- Endorsed President's position on Cambodia
with representatives of all States in U.S.
- Helped draft a resolution supporting the
President's decision.
- Made telephone calls to numerous Congressmen
and Senators in effort to encourage support for
defeat of the Reid amendment.
Executive Assistant E. F. Behrens
--
Sent background materials re Vietnam and Cambodia
to the 300 members of the Spitzer Agribusiness Group.
(A copy of this fact sheet package is attached.)
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Secretary George W. Romney
- -
Met with group of student journalists studying Federal
government operations under a Ford grant. Resume'
of remarks appears below:
ON VIETNAM -- "We shouldn't have gotten in there
in the first place and should get out as soon as possi-
ble. 11 Supported the President's Vietnamization program
and noted that our demands at the Paris negotiations
have been reduced to an irreducible tolerable minimum,
ON CAMBODIA -- Supported the President on these
grounds.
(1) We cannot continue to allow the North Vietnamese
to attack America forces with impunity from priviledged
sanctuaries if we expect to maintain the withdrawal of
our forces from South Vietnam.
(2) The Cambodian Government has not objected to the
presence of our forces.
(3) We responded to illegal acts by the North Vietnamese.
Noted student protest over the moves in Cambodia and
wondered where those protests were when the Russians
moved into Czechoslovakia.
ON THE HICKEL LETTER -- Refused to comment other
than to say that he viewed himself as a "member of the
President's team"
and that when he wished to com-
municate his views to the President, he would do so
privately.
- -
Spoke before members of the American Medical Associa-
tion at the Statler-Hilton. About 50% of talk devoted to
putting our Cambodian action in historical perspective
and emphasizing correctness of the President's decision.
(Presentation taped and made available to radio stations
as of 4:00 p.m., May 8th. Eleven requests for material
had been received by 6:00 p.m. this date.)
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
May 13, 1970
Mr. George Meany
AFL-CIO
815 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Meany:
The President asked me to send you the
attached report on U. S. troop successes along
the Cambodia border. As you will note, the
figures were just compiled
...
as of 4:00 p.m.
EDT today.
Sincerely,
Alexander P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
May 13, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
RE:
Grass Roots Support for Your
Cambodia Decision
Despite the wild strafing operation being conducted by the news media,
the silent majority is still very much with you and your Vietnam peace
plan.
Just since Monday I've received 7 phone calls, 2 wires, and 1 letter
from friends and acquaintances
all expressing their support and
that of others for the strong position you have taken against the Com-
munist forces in Southeast Asia.
Chicago friend: Said his entire office is for you
...
executives down through large group of young secre-
taries.
Scottsdale friend: Said nearly all of his community
are with you 100%.
Denver friend (Jack Wogan, whom you met in your
office late one afternoon, He's the fellow who sent
you the 6, 200 supporters' names by wire at noon on
November 3rd. Said he had just sent Hugh Scott a
list of 5, 000 Denver area supporters for your Cam-
bodia action.
Three POW wives (Separate phone calls -- Calif.,
Va., and Minn. All 3 applauded your strong stand
in Southeast Asia and said that most other POW wives
are equally avid supporters. They believe the action
against border sanctuaries will have generally bene-
ficial affects on the prisoner issue.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Pentagon friend: Wanted to convey message that not
only DoD officials but the young clerks and secretaries
there are solidly behind you.
Dr. Everett S. Graffam (Executive V.P., World Relief
Commission): Wrote letter to say that he and the World
Relief Commission and the National Association of
Evangelicals are in complete agreement with the plan
you are following to achieve an early peace in Southeast
Asia.
New York friend: Sent telegram of support (attached).
Paul Bradley (President, National Council, People-to-
People Program): Sent telegram of support (attached).
Attachments
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 13, 1970
FYI copies sent to:
Messrs. Bull
Chapin
Chotiner
Colson
Klein
Magruder
Nofziger
Odle
Ziegler
General Hughes
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 13, 1970
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Key Points Concerning the Cambodia
Operation
This memorandum reiterates most of the key points made in my
correspondence to you of 8:00 a. m. May 7th:
- - Basic U.S. policy in Vietnam remains unchanged.
Our goal is to:
-
End American involvement by withdrawing
our forces
-
End the war as soon as possible.
-- Vietnamization, the process of training the Viet-
namese to defend themselves, is moving forward
ahead of schedule.
-- In the ten days after the President's April 20
speech in which he announced plans for withdrawal
of 150, 000 American troops within a year, the
North Vietnamese changed completely the military
situation in Cambodia. They moved out of their
sanctuaries and threatened to form a belt of mili-
tary force down the entire 600-mile length of the
Cambodia-South Vietnam border. Any even mild
success of such a plan would result in an unac-
ceptable threat to American and allied forces in
Vietnam, and particularly to those forces which
remained after our next withdrawal increment
had departed for home.
--
The North Vietnamese changed the political situa-
tion also. While Sihanouk was in power we refrained
from attacking the base areas because of Cambodian
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
- 2 -
PERSONAL
neutrality and because the North Vietnamese were
generally confined within the sanctuaries. But
suddenly, with Sihanouk gone and the North Viet-
namese thrusting out of the sanctuary boundaries,
we found that we faced the prospect of Cambodia
becoming a single large base area for attacks
along the entire Cambodia-South Vietnam frontier.
-- The President considered several proposed courses
of counter-action, and all possible alternatives.
Then he decided to act, by authority of his responsi-
bility as Commander-in-Chief, to save the lives of
American servicemen in Vietnam.
-- The prime purpose of the thrusts into Cambodia is
to destroy the enemy's logistics system, facilities,
supplies and equipment. The operation will make
it impossible for the enemy to use these supply
areas effectively for many months. And the rainy
season, which will begin in 3-4 weeks, will stretch
the period of ineffectiveness and delay to 10-11
months for the simple reason that equipment and
materials for whatever rebuilding is contemplated
must be brought down to the border territories
from North Vietnam.
- - This interim time period will give the U.S. and
South Vietnam vital additional time to prepare the
South Vietnamese to handle their own defense.
- - We can state without equivocation that:
-
Our forces will withdraw from Cambodia,
back into South Vietnam, within 8 weeks
of the starting date of this operation.
- Vietnamization of the war can and will
continue
-
American withdrawals can and will go
forward as scheduled.
By this morning, the campaign had proved highly successful. The
latest statistics appear on the attached sheet.
Alexander
Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
May 14, 1970
oh ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
X/
RE:
Agenda for May 19th Cabinet Meeting
Of the two proposals which follow, I recommend your approval of "A"
because:
MAY 19
- - Shultz plans to be in the Bahamas Tuesday
on a short vacation;
and many of the Cabinet members will hear his productivity brief-
ing at today's CCEP meeting.
-- You said in mid-March that a Cabinet presentation by Chairman
Hampton would be appropriate. He would touch on unfilled vacan-
cies, lack of communications between Cabinet officers and regional
staffs, prevalent attitudes, and pending reforms of the personnel
system.
Proposal A
Proposal B
10:00-
Economic Outlook -- McCracken
Economic Outlook - - McCracken
10:15
(15 min. incl. discussion)
(15 min. incl. discussion)
10:15-
Family Assistance Plan -- - - Finch
Family Assistance Plan -- Finch
10:40
(25 min. incl. discussion)
(25 min. incl. discussion)
10:40-
Civil Service Commission
Productivity Shultz
10:55
Report -- Hampton
(15 min. incl. discussion)
(15 min. incl. discussion)
10:55-11:00
--- The President Departs ---
11:00-
Cambodia Operation -- Rogers/Laird
Cambodia Operation -- Rogers/Laird
11:30
11:30--
--- Executive Session ---
APPROVE "A"
APPROVE "B"
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 14, 1970
9:00 A.M.
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Briefing Material
The attached sheet lists the latest statistics on the Cambodia
operation.
Alexander P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
8:00 a.m., May 14, 1970
Total Operations
24-Hour Change
Individual Weapons
7,540
+266
Crew-Served Weapons
1,071
+59
Bunkers Destroyed
3,318
+24
Small Arms Ammunition
8,474,425
+98,000
(Rounds)
Machine Gun Rounds
6,861,388
Unchanged
Rifle Rounds
1,613,037
+98,500
Grenades
12,843
+82
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
4,072
Unchanged
Mortar Rounds
13,384
+153
Large Rocket Rounds
869
Unchanged
Smaller Rocket Rounds
8,536
+380
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
9,418
+56
Rice (lbs)
4,998,000
+218,000
Man Months
109,956
+4,796
Vehicles
178
+7
Boats
40
Unchanged
Enemy KIA
5,404
+226
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,431
+32
US KIA
110
+9
ARVN KIA
285
+10
Mines
1,384
+184
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
CHRON
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
8:15 A.M.
May 15,1970
Memo for: Members of the Gbinet
Subject: Briefing Material
I am attaching the latest statistical
report an us. troop successes in
CAmbudia.
Her
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
08:00 a.m., May 15, 1970
Total Operations
24-Hour Change
Individual Weapons
8,102
+562
Crew Served Weapons
1,046
-25
Bunkers Destroyed
3,410
+92
Machine Gun Rounds
6,867,639
+6251
Rifle Rounds
1,614,364
+1327
Total Small Arms Ammunition
(Rounds)
8,482,003
+7578
Grenades
13,442
+599
Mines
1,448
+64
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
4,072
Unchanged
Mortar Rounds
13,857
+527
Large Rocket Rounds
874
+5
Smaller Rocket Rounds
8,980
+444
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
9,541
+123
Rice (lbs)
5,492,000
+494,000
Man Months
120,824
+10,868
Vehicles
193
+15
Boats
40
Unchanged
Enemy KIA
5,614
+210
POWs (includes Detainees)
1,478
+47
US KIA
125
+15
ARVN KIA
294
+9
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
story
of
-s-
W
THE WHITE HOUSE
¥
WASHINGTON
May 15, 1970
present
MEMORANDUM FOR
ship 17pms 2-3 Well. Bud sumput. Tell suid Nam me mut her 21 on yun 15. we Many 8-8 see Can'T
THE PRESIDENT
his
SUBJECT:
Meeting with Henry Ford II and Bud Wilkinson
May 19, 1970
4:30 p.m. (15 minutes)
I.
PURPOSE
4:40-5:10
To discuss with Henry Ford and Bud Wilkinson the "game plan"
for the National Center for Voluntary Action. Mr. Ford is the new
Chairman of the Board of the National Center.
II.
BACKGROUND
The President will meet with Mr. Ford and Mr. Wilkinson following
the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Center.
The Executive Committee, which is empowered to act for the Board,
will finalize operational plans at its meeting.
The Center's immediate objectives are:
1. To make the Clearinghouse of Information on Voluntary
Programs fully operational by the middle of August.
2. To encourage the establishment of "local voluntary action
centers" in every community throughout the country.
3.
To help the local centers get organized by making expert
consultants and a training program available to them.
4. To popularize the concept of volunteering through an
Advertising Council campaign.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
- 2 -
III. POINTS OF DISCUSSION
The President should thank Mr. Ford for his willingness to take
on the important task of serving as Board Chairman of the National
Center, and for making available the resources of his organization
to help achieve the objectives listed above.
The President may wish to discuss the fact that some communities
may need financial support to set up voluntary action centers. This
support could be furnished by private foundations or by an experi-
mental program conducted by OEO.
A related subject is the fact that many Americans with low incomes
are finding it difficult to serve as volunteers because of out-of-
pocket expenses for transportation, baby sitters, meals away from
home, etc. The National Center is discussing ways of helping
these Americans to become volunteers.
The President may also want to refer to Mr. Ford's recent rejection
of a request by Moscow to build a truck factory in the Soviet Union.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
CHRON
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
8:30 A.M., May 16th
Memo for: Members of the CAbinet
Subject:
Briefing Material
The attached sheet provides our most recently
compiled statistics on U.S. Goop successes
in Gmbodia.
Because d difficulties encountered trying to
reach each of you by special messanger
last Sunday, I plan to skip tomorrow's
report. The Monday morning compilation
will be dispatched next.
ALEXANDER A/ P. BUTTERFIELD
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Issued 8:00 a.m. May 16, 1970
Total Operations
24-Hour Change
Individual Weapons
8,595
+493
Crew Served Weapons
1,139
+93
Bunkers Destroyed
3,927
+517
Machine Gun Rounds
6,867,639
Unchanged
Rifle Rounds
1,688,304
+74,060
Total Small Arms Ammunition
(Rounds)
8,555,943
+74,060
Grenades
13,442
Unchanged
Mines
1,448
Unchanged
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
4,237
+165
Mortar Rounds
14,193
+336
Large Rocket Rounds
874
Unchanged
Smaller Rocket Rounds
13,760
+4,780
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
9,631
+90
Rice (lbs)
6,068,000
+576,000
Man Months
133,492
+12,668
Vehicles
197
+4
Boats
40
Unchanged
Enemy KIA
6,096
+482
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,538
+60
US KIA
138
+13
ARVN KIA
317
+23
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
8:00 a.m., May 19, 1970
Total Operations
24-Hour Change
Individual Weapons
9,494
+385
Crew Served Weapons
1,584
+351
Bunkers/Structures Destroyed
4,779
+128
Machine Gun Rounds
7,812,464
Unchanged
Rifle Rounds
3,770,996
+80,720
Total Small Arms Ammunition
(Rounds)
11,583,460
+80,720
Grenades
6,925
+3
Mines
1,865
Unchanged
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
159,047
Unchanged
Mortar Rounds
18,459
-20,420*
Large Rocket Rounds
971
+128
Smaller Rocket Rounds
15,931
+1,011
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
13,567
-729**
Rice (lbs)
6,662,000
+52,000
Man Months
146,564
+1,144
Vehicles
206
--5**
Boats
40
Unchanged
Generators
36
Unchanged
Radios
142
Unchanged
Enemy KIA
6,882
+387
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,614
+38
US KIA
155
+5
ARVN KIA
353
22
* Reporting error
** Decreases attributable to MACV figure adjustments
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 21, 1970
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Cambodia Operation
Here is the latest statistical report on the Cambodia
operation.
Alexander P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
.8:00 a.m., May 21, 1970
Total Operations
Individual Weapons
10,019
+406
Crew Served Weapons
1,640
+32
Bunkers/Structures Destroyed
5,287
+20
Machine Gun Rounds
7,812,464
Unchanged
Rifle Rounds
3,834,760
+32,504
Total Small Arms Ammunition
(Rounds)
11,647,224
+32,504
Grenades
7,811
+746
Mines
1,894
+10
Satchel Charges
500
Unchanged
Miscellaneous Explosives (lbs)
72,000
Unchanged
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
159,027
-20
Mortar Rounds
20,526
+163
Large Rocket Rounds
978
+6
Smaller Rocket Rounds
17,135
+438
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
13,718
+91
Rice (lbs)
7,402,000
+168,000
Man Months
162,844
+3,696
Vehicles
220
+5
Boats
40
Unchanged
Generators
36
Unchanged
Radios
175
+6
Enemy KIA
7,177
+151
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,759
+28
US KIA
166
+4
ARVN KIA
386
+6
Medical Supplies (lbs)
32,000
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 25, 1970
9:00 a.m.
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Briefing Materials
I am enclosing 3 separate papers: this morning's statistical
report on the Cambodia operation, a resume of how severely
the first three weeks of that military operation have crippled
the enemy, and a copy of a typically objective Denis Warner
article taken from the May 11th Denver Post. (Warner is an
Australian widely known and generally respected by academicians
and journalists for his knowledge of Southeast Asian affairs.)
Alexander Butterfield
Alexander P. PB Butterheld
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachments
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
8:00 a.m., May 25, 1970
* Field Adjustments
Total Operations
Individual Weapons
10,942
+48
Crew Served Weapons
1,618
+22
6,630
+215
Bunkers/Structures Destroyed
2,592,504
+88,570
Machine Gun Rounds
Rifle Rounds
5,094,288
+293,710
Total Small Arms Ammunition
7,686,792
+382,280
(Machine Gun & Rifle Rounds)
12,309
+1,036
Grenades
2,826
+15
Mines
500
Unchanged
Satchel Charge
Miscellaneous Explosives (lbs)
72,000
Unchanged
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
127,353
+381
Mortar Rounds
26,749
+2,142
- Large Rocket Rounds
1,090
Unchanged
Smaller Rocket Rounds
14,799
+97
18,552
+441
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
Rice (lbs)
9,034,000
+578,000
198,748
+12,716
Man Months
264
+8
Vehicles
40
Unchanged
Boats
36
Unchanged
Generators
179
Unchanged
Radios
Medical Supplies (lbs)
36,000
Unchanged
7,857
+139
Enemy KIA
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,770
-87*
196
+3
US KIA
451
+14
ARVN KIA
*
Figures indicating total small arms ammanistion cAptured were errouens early lastweek
The correction was made on Thursday May 21, the day on which you did not receive a report, Mit
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
May 23, 1970
Three weeks ago, President Nixon announced to the American
people that Allied forces had launched attacks to clean out major
enemy sanctuaries on the Cambodia Vietnam border. The President
explained that our purpose was not to occupy the sanctuary areas, but
to quickly drive out the enemy forces and destroy their military supplies.
Now, after three weeks of this limited operation, it is abundantly
clear that the enemy has been struck a devastating blow.
We have captured nearly 15 million rounds of ammunition for
machine guns, rifles and small arms. That means nearly 15 million
bullets that will not be fired at our servicemen and our allies.
We have captured nearly 39, 000 mortar and rocket rounds. That
means nearly 39, 000 blasts that cannot go ripping into Saigon and into
American and South Vietnamese bases.
We have captured more than 125, 000 anti-aircraft rounds. That
means more than 125, 000 rounds that cannot be fired at our planes.
We have captured nearly eight million pounds of rice enough
to feed for more than four months the North Vietnamese forces that
were estimated to be in Cambodia at the start of the operation.
We have destroyed more than 5, 500 of their bunkers and structures
-- mostly military installations.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
-2-
We have seized nearly 11, 000 individual weapons and more than
1, 500 big, crew-served weapons -- enough to equip some 20 North
Vietnamese infantry battalions at full strength.
While the purpose of this operation has been to destroy the enemy
sanctuary bases and capture supplies, and not necessarily to engage
the enemy in combat, they have taken a disastrous loss of manpower.
At the end of three weeks, 7, 552 of the enemy had been killed in action
and 1, 788 captured. This amounts to a crushing figure of more than
23 percent of the forces the enemy was estimated to have in the area.
We have disrupted the enemy's logistics network and lines of com-
munication. We have struck a heavy blow at his offensive capability.
Some American forces already have withdrawn and all will be out of
the sanctuaries by June 30.
There can be no doubt now that the results of this operation will
reinsure the President's announced withdrawal and Vietnamization
programs and will hasten the day when all American forces can safely
return home.
#####
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Red Buildup Gave Nixon
A Win or Lose' Choice
By DENIS WARNER
I am convinced that South
C
ANBERRA, Australia
Vietnam could not survive the
N
OTHING teaches more
morale and slow down North
The Cambodians
withdrawal of the American
quickly than experience
Vietnamese and Viet Cong
were so short of defen-
forces if Sihanoukville were
in battle and last week the
military actions around
sive equipment when the war
to become another Haiphong
Cambodians began to fight
Phnom Penh, these are not
began that on the road lead-
ing northeast from Phnom
Under the circumstances,
with greater professionalism.
results that can be precisely
then, President Nixon had to
Against the best guerrilla and
determined. Nor do they
Penh to Kompong Cham, the
act or to admit defeat.
non-conventional forces in the
seem likely to change North
military built road blocks out
Measured against the bitter
world, however, they had lit-
Vietnam's will to win.
of large porcelain jars filled
opposition he knew he would
tle hope.
The seizure by Communist
with stones.
encounter in the United
At the same time, it is not
forces of Attopeu in southern
At Kompong Cham they
States, his decision to attack
easy to be confident that the
Laos is one sure indication of
noved concrete park benches
present action will produce
Hanoi's intent: continuing ac-
nto the middle of the road.
the North Vietnamese and
the sort of results that the
tions against the heartland of
And beyond, on the east bank
Viet Cong sanctuaries in
American public will be look-
Cambodia.
of the Mekong, troops were at
Cambodia is one of the hol-
ing for as a sign of success.
It may yet begin to appear,
work one day with split bam-
dest and bravest political acts
Aerial photography, sensors
then, that the Nixon bid has
boo and barbed wire in a fu-
of our times.
and ground reconnaissance
been a failure. But for Nixon
tile effort to build cage-like
have pinpointed the bases and
not to have tried would have
barriers to block the advance.
If it has helped to enlarge
It did not seem to occur to
the Vietnam war, it has at
much is known about their
been a catastrophe.
whereabouts, nature and size.
Register & Tribune Syndicate
them that the Viet Cong
the same time put the power
of the United States in the
But the move out of the
would come through the
paddy fields and plantations
path of an act of aggression
sanctuaries began as early as
and forests and not along the
that seemed certain to cap-
March 20 and was no doubt
accelerated by an early, and
roads. Thus, towns and vil-
ture Cambodia and to destroy
all hopes for the Vietnamiza-
apparently unreported, South
lages that seemed to be
tion program in South Viet-
Vietnamese air attack. Great
secure one day became is-
nam.
supplies of weapons, and
lands the next and disap-
On the eve of Nixon's
communications equipment,
peared under the tide on the
third.
speech I met a distinguished
will certainly be captured,
Southeast Asian neutral lead-
but the birds in COSVN,
Even if the Cambodians
had possessed much higher
er and formerly a close
Hanoi's command post for
friend of Sihanouk's who
South Vietnam, were always
military skills and had been
sensed that American inac-
fairly well decentralized, as
much more adequately
tion would set the dominoes
were the installations in
equipped to cope with this in-
falling.
which they operated.
vasion, their numbers were
"Go back to Canberra," he
Though the American ac-
far from sufficient. Against
said, "and tell the Australian
tion will help Cambodian
the perhaps 40,000 North Viet-
namese and Viet Cong troops
government it ought to push
engaged against them, they
every bit of military equip-
ment it can find into Phnom
either had to risk defeat in
detail by trying to defend too
Penh. It's about the only hope
left."
much territory, or to pull
back and concentrate on the
His worries about the situa-
defense of the capital, and a
tion in Cambodia were fully
few vital lines of communi-
justified. The Cambodian
cation, especially the road
army has not been trained for
and railway to Sihanoukville.
war. It was not equipped for
war. It did not expect to go to
Just how long they might
war.
have been able to hold out
even here depended primarily
on Hanoi's inclinations.
It was a reasonable as-
sumption only two weeks ago
that the creation of a Peo-
ple's Republic of Cambodia,
imposed by Vietnamese force
of arms, and under the name
of Prince Norodom Sihanouk,
was only a matter of time.
I
USED to question quite
seriously how much mili-
tary aid the Viet Cong and
the North Victnamese re-
5/11 DENVER POST
ceived through Sinanoukville
before March 13. I know now
that a irst-class fleet of 150
trucks was working full-time
in Cambodia 10 meet the mili-
tary and economic needs of
the and
Viet Cong forces III the
Saigon and Mekong della
area.
All the military supplies
came from China through
Sihanoul.ville.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
CHRON
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 26, 1970
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Cambodia Operation
I am attaching the latest statistical report on our military
operation in Cambodia. You should note that there was an
error in the third paragraph of the 2-page resume I sent to
you yesterday. We have not captured nearly 15 million
rounds of small arms ammunition. The total figure, as
it appears on today's report, is 7, 816, 562
of which
2, 689, 724 rounds are machine gun ammunition and 5, 126, 838
rounds are rifle ammunition.
Alexander X P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
8:00 a.m., May 26, 1970
Total Operations
24-Hour Change
Individual Weapons
11,064
+122
Crew-Served Weapons
1,846
+228
Bunkers/Structures Destroyed
6,643
+13
Machine Gun Rounds
2,689,724
+97,220
Rifle Rounds
5,126,838
+32,550
Total Small Arms Ammunition
(Machine Gun & Rifle Rounds) 7,816,562
+129,770
Grenades
12,574
+265
Mines
2,966
+140
Satchel Charge
500
Unchanged
Miscellaneous Explosives (lbs) 72,000
Unchanged
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
130,567
+3,214
Mortar Rounds
29,311
+2,562
Large Rocket Rounds
1,090
Unchanged
Smaller Rocket Rounds
15,061
+262
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
19,565
+1,013
Rice (lbs)
9,120,000
+86,000
Man Months
200,640
+1,892
Vehicles
305
+41
Boats
40
Unchanged
Generators
36
Unchanged
Radios
179
Unchanged
Medical Supplies (lbs)
36,000
Unchanged
Enemy KIA
8,044
+187
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,773
+3
US KIA
210
+14
ARVN KIA
457
+6
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
May 27, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. HALDEMAN
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
RE:
Miscellaneous Items
The Gardener at San Clemente -- Simon Romero, the gardener you
wanted hired by the Secret Service, has been hired and is now on the
job.
Presidential Protection and Internal Security -- I met before the
weekend of May 9-10 with Director Rowley, Pat Boggs, Vince Mroz
(the Secret Service official who is directly in charge of the Executive
Protective Service), and Bob Taylor to emphasize the importance of
precluding complacency by periodically (and frequently) double-
checking the validity and effectiveness of procedures with an eye
toward achieving maximum efficiency in all things for which they
are being held responsible .... especially, in these times, Presi-
dential protection and internal security in the White House complex.
Already the EPS has taken 4 separate actions to improve internal
security, and the Secret Service is up-dating its closed-circuit
television system so it will provide better vision during hours of
darkness and more coverage at all times.
General Deportment of Secret Service Agents -- Bob Taylor has again
spoken to all of his Agents and stressed the importance of their main-
taining a relatively soldierly bearing while standing in the West Wing
and EOB office areas on duty
and their maintaining a position of
"military attention" at the appropriate times during ceremonies and
other events. He fully agrees that they can do this without degrading
their "protective efficiency".
Coffee Cups for the Cabinet Room -- Ron Jackson has received the
Franciscan china he ordered some time ago for use during special
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
occasions including meetings of the Cabinet. It is just like the
china used aboard SEQUOIA -- off-white in color and bearing a silver
Presidential seal. It will be used hereafter at Cabinet Meetings.
Ceremonial Police Hats -- The purchase transaction has been
completed. One cap has been delivered to Lucy Ferguson (for
eventual deposit in the Richard Nixon Library); one cap in an old
box will be delivered to your office this afternoon; one cap in an
old box will be delivered to John Ehrlichman's office this afternoon;
and two caps, each gift wrapped, will be kept under lock and key in
Steve Bull's office.
Chateau-Margaux '59 -- In accordance with the President's instruction
one case of Chateau-Margaux '59 (for personal use) was taken to Key
Biscayne two weeks ago. Another case will be taken to San Clemente
tomorrow.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
Determined to be an
Administrative Marking
Not National Security Information
By J4S
NARA Date 3/25/2016
May 27, 1970
CONFIDENTIAL
Lieutenant General R. G. Stilwell
Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations
Department of the Army
Room 3E-648, The Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20310
Dear General Stilwell:
I just came across this book in my file
and hasten now to return it to your office. It
served its purpose well at this end of the line
and, along with my apologies for not getting it
back to you months ago, I want to thank you and
your staff for putting it together so efficiently
and dispatching it so quickly at the time of our
request.
Sincerely,
Alexander P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Enclosure
CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
May 27, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. HALDEMAN
MR. SAFIRE
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
RE:
Suggested Remarks for the President
Thursday Evening, May 28th
The President has just reviewed Bill Safire's "suggested remarks"
for tomorrow night. Whereas he said that he did not plan to "go
into anything that deeply, or go on for that long", he thought they
were fine as "suggested remarks" ... and that no more need
be done.
cc: Mr. Keogh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
May 27, 1970
PERSONAL
Major Glenard E. Lanier
Commanding Officer
Executive Protective Service
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Major Lanier:
You will be pleased to know that
those who served with the White House
Police will not have to relinquish their
old badges when the new EPS badges
are issued.
Sincerely,
Alexander P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
May 27, 1970
Mr. George Meany
President, AFL-CIO
815 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Meany:
Here is another statistical report
on U. S. successes in the Cambodia
operation. These are the latest figures --
current as of 8:00 a.m. today.
Sincerely,
Alexander P. Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
May 27, 1970
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Briefing Material
Here is another statistical report on U. S. successes in
the Cambodia operation. These are the latest figures --
current as of 8:00 a.m. today.
Alexander ManaulesP. P. Butterfield
autterheld
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachment
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
8:00 a.m., May 27, 1970
Total Operations
24-Hour Change
Individual Weapons
11,845
+811
Crew-Served Weapons
2,031
+185
Bunkers/Structures Destroyed
6,986
+343
Machine Gun Rounds
3,085,724
+396,000
Rifle Rounds
5,719,718
+592,880
Total Small Arms Ammunition
8,805,442
+988,880
(Machine Gun E Rifle Rounds)
Grenades
16,790
+4,216
Mines
3,102
+36
Satchel Charge
500
Unchanged
Miscellaneous Explosives (lbs)
72,000
Unchanged
Anti-Aircraft Rounds
134,299
+3,732
Mortar Rounds
29,537
+266
Large Rocket Rounds
1,097
+7
Smaller Rocket Rounds
16,107
+1,046
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
20,500
+935
Rice (lbs)
9,556,000
+436,000
Man Months
210,232
+9,592
Vehicles
310
+5
Boats
40
Unchanged
Generators
36
Unchanged
Radios
180
+1
Medical Supplies (lbs)
36,000
Unchanged
Enemy KIA
8,171
+127
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,777
+4
US KIA
219
+9
ARVN KIA
465
+8
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
chron
May 28, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. HUGH SLOAN
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
Hugh:
Because the attached telegram to the President was dispatched
from Boston on May 26th, I believe that Dr. Turgeon (the sender)
deserves an answer today -- either by wire or by telephone.
Many thanks.
Attachment
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 28, 1970
PERSONAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
SUBJECT:
Briefing Material
Here is today's statistical report on the US-ARVN successes
in Cambodia. (The next such report will be dispatched on June 2.)
I am also enclosing two especially good articles by Peregrine
Worsthorne, both taken from London's "Sunday Telegraph"
...
one on May 3rd and one on May 10th.
Alexander Butterfield
Deputy Assistant to the President
Attachments
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
8:00 a.m., May 28, 1970
Total Operations
24-Hour Change
Individual Weapons
11,976
+131
Crew-Served Weapons
2,100
+69
Bunkers/Structures Destroyed
7,101
+115
Machine Gun Rounds
3,176,512
+90,808
Rifle Rounds
5,822,903
+103,185
Total Small Arms Ammunition
(Machine Gun E Rifle Rounds) 8,999,415
+193,973
Grenades
20,973
+4,183
Mines
3,204
+102
Satchel Charge
500
Unchanged
Miscellaneous Explosives (lbs)
72,000
Unchanged
Anit-Aircraft Rounds
134,299
Unchanged
Mortar Rounds
31,470
+1,933
Large Rocket Rounds
1,097
Unchanged
Smaller Rocket Rounds
17,952
+1,845
Recoilless Rifle Rounds
20,395
-105
Rice (lbs)
9,790,000
+2,340,000
Man Months
215,380
+5,148
Vehicles
317
+7
Boats
40
Unchanged
Generators
36
Unchanged
Radios
180
Unchanged
Medical Supplies (lbs)
36,000
Unchanged
Enemy KIA
8,128
-43
POWs (Includes Detainees)
1,797
+20
US KIA
225
+6
ARVN KIA
467
+2
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
NIXON'S FATEFUL
CHOICE
PEREGRINE WORSTHORNE sees Cambodia as an
optimist's gamble, a gesture of supreme courage and confidence
OOLHARDY, politically peril-
Cambodia, a member of the
opposite. The Cambodia sanctu-
ous, militarily rash-such
United Nations, an independent
ary has been a major source of
descriptions can properly be
neutral State, is in danger of
Communist strength. If removed,
falling victim to North Vietnamese
applied to President Nixon's
it will make the South Vietnamese
aggression. There is no question
task infinitely easier. If the
action in ordering American
about this. It is possible to argue
Americans fail to remove it, then
troops to engage the Vietnamese
that Vietnam itself is one country
their task and that of the South
Communists in Gambodia. But it
and that American intervention
there is unjustified interference
Vietnamese becomes infinitely
is also bold, resolute and high-
harder.
principled. Here is a national
in a civil war. But interven-
leader doing what duty demands,
tion in defence of Cambodia
Presumably the American mili-
cannot be faulted in principle.
tary authorities are confident of
in defiance of every conceivable
calculation of caution, inclination
Right in this case is clearly and
success. Yet they have often been
unequivocally on the American
wrong before. President Johnson
and personal advantage. It is, in
side. Wisdom may not be. That
was repeatedly promised military
this sense, an amazing decision.
successes which never material-
remains to be seen.
Who would have thought that
ised. If President Nixon now
President Nixon, the Tricky
The danger, of course, is that
suffers the same experience his
American troops will get bogged
Dicky of old, would show such
political fate at home will be as
down in Cambodia, as they have
unenviable as that of his prede-
conspicuous courage?
been in South Vietnam. If this
cessor.
The language he used on tele-
were to happen, and the promised
vision chilled the blood. But then
withdrawal of American troops
Nothing is served by under-
our blood is thin. We are unaccus-
had to be cancelled, President
estimating the extreme gravity
tomed to the rhetoric of rectitude.
Nixon would suffer grievous
of the risks involved. Any result
short of a swift and decisive
It is meant to be out of fashion.
political damage. But the danger
"I would rather be a one-term
would have been equally great
American victory will mean pro-
President and do what is right
without intervention, since if
longation of the war and hideous
than be a two-term President at
Cambodia had been allowed to
political trouble at home. Victory,
the cost of seeing America
fall to Viet Cong attack this would
on the other hand, will decisively
become a second-rate power and
have posed such a dire threat to
shorten the war, and allow
accept the first defeat in its
South Vietnam security as to rule
America to carry on with the
proud 190-year history." It is
out American withdrawal for
planned withdrawal against a
magnificent; not, admittedly, the
many years to come.
background of military success
language of diplomacy or prevari-
Hanoi. in ordering the attack
which will restore her confidence
and reputation.
cation or compromise, still less of
a country preparing to scuttle. Not
on Phnom Penh, was seeking a
It is deplorable, in these cir-
since the splendid days of the
short cut to complete victory
cumstances, that the British
Cuban missile crisis has the voice
was assuming that America's will
Government should be so slow to
to continue the war had been
of America sounded so convinced
lend backing to America's action.
broken.
President
Nixon's
and convincing.
The coup against Prince Sihanouk
reaction has proved this assump-
Already, needless to say, cries
was a major event, opening up
tion wrong.
of indignation and alarm can be
prospects for a catastrophic
heard across the world, not least
Everything now depends on
worsening of the American posi-
from the Labour party here.
the speed and skill of the
tion-by giving the Communists
Alarm is reasonable. It is alarm-
American military operation. If
an excuse for taking over the
ing to see the war extended. But
it proves successful it could
country-or for a triumphant
there are no possible grounds for
decisively shorten the war, just
improvement, by obliging Ameri-
indignation.
as if unsuccessful it can do the
cans to try to drive the Commun-
ists out once and for all.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
A demoralised American Ad-
Britain can do little except
ministration would undoubtedly
hold her breath, an exercise in
have resigned itself to the first
self-restraint that the Labour
alternative, much to the Labour
party is congenitally unsuited to
party's satisfaction. No doubt
make. No one can imagine that
Mr. Wilson would have acclaimed
the United States Government is
such a course as the higher
unaware of the dangers it is run-
statesmanship. Senator Fulbright,
ning. Nothing but direst necessity
too, would have applauded.
In
would have prompted the Presi-
the event, however, Mr: Nixon
dent to put his political future so
has reacted like a hawk rather
direly in jeopardy.
than a dove, summoning the
This is not an action of a
American people to one last
trigger-happy nation in search of
great effort to conclude the war
imperial kicks. No nation is so
on a note of glory.
clearly trigger-unhappy as America
His courage may be rewarded.
today. But she is responding to
Clearly the Communists may not
the call of duty. There is some-
have expected this bold riposte.
thing rather rare and marvellous
Their headquarters in Cambodia,
in this spectacle. The giant is
from which operations in South
weary but unbowed, disillusioned
Vietnam are controlled and sup-
but not cowed, wary but not
plied, could be in grave jeopardy;
craven. She needs our prayers,
which is all we have to give, not
so also their reserves. The Ameri-
recrimination or condemnation.
cans, in short, may be poised on
the edge of a decisive victory.
If the President has miscal-
culated he will suffer enough at
After such endless disappoint-
the hands of his own people. Let
ments, the thought of success is
our message be clear: admiration
difficult to believe. The world is
for his courage, and fervent hope
inured to American failure, re-
for the success of a venture that
signed to the flood of defeatism.
is rooted in high principle and
But this is what makes the Pre-
noble purpose.
sident's action so notable. It is
an. optimist's gamble, a gesture
of supreme courage and confi-
dence, a sign of unflinching deter-
mination, a reminder to the world
of America's continued resilience
and fortitude.
The implications, of course, are
world-wide. This is President
Nixon's Cuba, his first deadly
challenge. If he had turned aside,
the Russians would have been
quick to take the lesson to heart.
As it is, they will have learnt that
it is unwise to take him for
granted-a lesson, one can hope,
with particular relevance at the
present time to the deteriorating
situation in the Middle East.
THE SUNDAY
TELEGRAPH
Landan,
MAY 3, 1970
England
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Londor Sunday Telegraph, May 10, 1970
No White House
PEREGRINE WORSTHORNE says the
North Vielnamese will find that in
weakling
President Nixon they face a man
who will not let go
THE important perhaps the most
shows him to be determined to the
point to notice
point of obstinacy, thick-skinned,
about the A erican crisis over
single-minded and, once convinced
Cambodia is that the man in
of the rightness of his cause, re-
charge, President Nixon, is not
lentless and ruthless in his pursuit.
what most of the American and
It is too early to be sure that
British Press say he is-a weak-
the Cambodian operation is such
ling posing as a warrior, a panicky
la cause. The signs from Washing-
opportunist trying to prove him-
ton still suggest a certain Presi-
self a heroic statesman, a chronic
dential ambivalence. But if the
trickster reverting to form. His
President has set his heart on it,
no amount of protest will deflect
critics might be 1 tter off if he
him from it.
were, since weaklings, opportun-
ists and tricksters are at least
Compared to both John F. Ken-
flexible and tend to bend before
nedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, each
of whose political careers was
the wind, without waiting to be
marked by extreme political devi-
broken.
ousnes Richard Nixon stands out
Mr. Nixon, however, is a man
as having always been remarkably
who does not easily give way,
consistent; consistently anti-Com-
whose political reputation was ori-
munist, starting long before it was
ginally made by refusing to give
fashionable to be so, long before
way; by refusing to give way,
Joe McCarthy. Nixon did not climb
moreover, to precisely those forces
on to a bandwagon. When he
the hawkish camp, without per-
of political liberalism, ideological
started his campaign to bring Hiss
haps realising what this may mean.
dissent and youthful idealism
to justice anti-Communism was a
How could they be expected to
which are today once again rang-
derelict, miserable wheelbarrow.
realise, since the picture painted
ing themselves against him in furi-
of the President in his own coun-
This, then, is the man in charge
ous condemnation.
try is so grossly misleading? They
at the White House today, not the
probably still believe that they. are
The original occasion, of
caricature presented by so much
dealing with a weakling posing as
course, was the case of the Ameri-
of the Press. Hitherto the Vietnam
a warrior. This mistake, for which
can traitor Alger Hiss, hero of the
war has not been Mr. Nixon's
the American Press must bear the
American establishment whom
war. This .might not mat-
responsibility, could cost the world
Mr. Nixon single-handedly ex-
ter if he really were Tricky
a tragically high price.
posed, defying the whole massed
Dicky since such a President, re-
cognising the weight of opposition
But the highest price for this
weight of "informed" opinion
which was convinced of his inno-
misunderstanding may well be
mounting against him, or recognis-
paid by America herself. One
cence.
ing that the military gamble had
I was in Washington during
failed, would have no scruples
reads the New York Times, for
example, with dreadful fascination
those years. Richard Nixon was the
about getting out. But the real Mr.
Nixon is not a type to let go easily.
as it trots out all the arguments
victim then of a sustained and
most certain to inflame student
vitriolic smear campaign. Polite
The danger is that the North
opinion against the Cambodian
society refused to touch him with
Victnamese may have grievously
operation, practically encouraging
a barge-pole, let alone the hand
miscalculated, encouraged to
them to take to the streets and
of friendship. He was a social and
believe that they were dealing
campuses in violent opposition.
political pariah, shunned and de-
with a caricature rather than the
Does this organ of the liberal
rided. Yet he refused to bend,
reality. The overthrow of Prince
establishment not realise what
and was eventually proved abun-
Sihanouk presented them with a
manner of President they are
dantly right, although never for-
great temptation: to make a bid
inciting the students to confront?
given by those he proved wrong.
for total control of Cambodia, with
The New York Post, another
This was the beginning of the
all this would mean in rendering
such organ, sought to suggest last
myth of "Tricky Dicky What is
the American position in South
week that Mr. Nixon's Cambodian
the point of recalling this story to-
Vietnam untenable. But in giving
foray was the action of an
day? Because it shows Mr. Nixon
way to this temptation, thereby
impotent man seeking to demon-
to be the veryłopposite of what his
provoking the American reaction,
strate his virility, the implication
detractors accuse him of being. It
Reprodubed at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museume
could
easilv
he
frightened off by a show of real
over by the sound of beat-in
strength. This is playing with fire
every sense-music.
with a vengeance. So also is our
This is what is now at stake
own New Statesman's ludicrous
in the United States. Of course
comparison between the Nixon of
the Cambodian operation is a
today and the Anthony Eden of
gamble. Nobody can be confident
the Suez period.
of its successful outcome. But it
Can the Angló-American liberal
is part of a coherent and
establishment not realise that the
potentially statesmanlike strategy
man now in the White House is a
to enable South Vietnam, and
formidable figure, who has to be
indeed South ast Asia generally,
taken seriously-a President who
to develop in its own way, without
believes in his cause just as
having the political patterns deter-
passionately as they believe in
mined-as they have been in
theirs/and who will prove just as
Eastern Europe-by the presence
relentless, yes and just as violent
of a Red Army. The strategy can
in opposing them as they are likely
be debated and criticised, and
to be in opposing him?
plainly it is desirable that it should
be.
Unfortunately it is not the
editors of these liberal organs who
But student protest has to be
will be in the firing-line. They
recognised for what it has
merely incite the students from
become: a totally irrational and
the safe sanctuary of their edi-
hysterical escape into unreality.
torial ivory towers. It is the stu-
It is not based on any coherent
dents who will pay the price, as is
alternative foreign policy. If the
already bloodily apparent. Such
student will is allowed to prevail,
is the terrible, inexorable logic
a situation will develop wherein
that flows from the false premise
the strongest power the world has
of the Tricky Dicky legend,
ever known is reduced literally to
propagation of which j: Sames the
puerility.
public not only to hate their Presi-
What is so terrifying is that
dent, which is crazy enough, but
influential figures on both sides
also to underestimate him, which
of the Atlantic are prepared to
could prove calamitous.
urge the President to make con-
Mr. Nixon is not Lyndon B.
cessions, to take the protest
Johnson. He will not abdicate.
seriously, all in the name of
Nor can he. It is madness to sup-
avoiding strife and turmoil. The
pose that the forces of protest can
great organs of the American
humiliate two Presidents in swift
East Coast Press lend the stu-
succession, without calling into
dents their support. This is
question the very basis of constitu-
inexcusable irresponsibility. It is
tional government. Even if his
silly enough for students to claim,
character did not incline him to be
and be encouraged in so doing,
tough, his situation forces him to
to run the universities. But they
be so. For a second President to
are now claiming to run Ameri-
allow his foreign policy to be
can foreign policy, indeed the
shaped by campus pressure would
American Government. Such is
turn America into a kindergarten
the really terrifying escalation
State. Better a divided America,
not of the war but of the move-
convulsed in tumult, than one
ment against the war. This is
united under the domination of
what has got to be halted, peace-
student princes whose idea of
fully if possible-the President
statecraft is inspired by nothing
is clearly not seeking a confronta-
weightier than John Lennon's
tion-but with force if necessary.
melody " All We Are Saying Is
'Tricky Dicky" would cer-
Give Peace a Chance."
tainly not be the man to stand
That, believe it or not, is the
up to the challenge. That is why
refrain that they will be singing
it is so important that everybody
this weekend in front of the White
should realise-and the sooner
Houst Presumably the Labour
the better-that the man in the
party Left will find the spectacle
White House is not 'Tricky
deeply moving. Others, however,
Dicky but somebody whose true
would not wish to see the free
measure his enemies both at home
world's shield reduced to a sound-
and abroad have always failed to
ing-board for current Top of the
take, as they may, with luck, be
Pops the voice of America taken
about to discover.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Chron
Determined to be an
Administrative Marking
Not National Security Information
By Jus
NARA Date 3/25/2016
May 28, 1970
PERSONAL/CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MR. HALDEMAN
FROM:
ALEXANDER P. BUTTERFIELD
RE:
Secretary of Commerce
You may recall my memorandum expressing concern over the obvious
moves being made by the liberal press to discredit Maury Stans. (A
copy is attached.) Those I spoke to about this matter seemed to agree
readily that the situation was worthy of concern
...
and some remedial
action designed (preferably) to portray a close personal relationship
between Maury and the President.
If we're serious about this we can move directly into Act One today.
Maury is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at the
University of San Diego tomorrow, Friday, May 29th. His travel-
ing west with the President on Air Force one, and appearing at Billy
Graham's rally at Knoxville enroute, would go far toward countering
the press reports that he is falling out of favor.
If you think this plan has merit and want to put it into effect, but need
extra space on the airplane to do so (which is my guess), I'll very
willingly drop out.
Attachment
PERSONAL/CONFIDENTIAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum