Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
TOP SECRET – Sensitive
"Encourage Vietnamese military planning for defense against external aggression along lines consistent with U.S. planning concepts based upon approved U.S. policy, and discreetly manifest in other ways U.S. interest in assisting Free Viet Nam, in accordance with the SEATO Treaty, to defend itself against external aggression."
SUPPLEMENTARY STATEMENT OF POLICY
on
THE SPECIAL SITUATION IN NORTH VIETNAM
"Treat the Viet Minh as not constituting a legitimate government, and discourage other non-Communist states from developing or maintaining relations with the Viet Minh regime."
"Prevent the Viet Minh from expanding their political influence and territorial control in Free Viet Nam and Southeast Asia."
"Deter the Viet Minh from attacking or subverting Free Viet Nam or Laos."
"Probe weaknesses of the Viet Minh and exploit them internally and internationally whenever possible."
"Exploit nationalist sentiment within North Viet Nam as a means of weakening and disrupting Sino-Soviet domination."
"Assist the Government of Viet Nam to undertake programs of political, econonic and psychological warfare against Viet Minh Communists."
"Apply, as necessary to achieve U.S. objectives, restrictions on U.S . exports and shipping and on foreign assets similar to those already in effect for Communist China and North Korea."
b. NSC 5809
In 1958, NSC 5612 was reviewed, and the portions on Vietnam reapproved without significant change. Proposed revisions, underlined below, indicated increased awareness of the GVN's deteriorating internal security:
"Assist Free Viet Nam to develop a strong, stable and constitutional government to enable Free Viet Nam to assert an increasingly attractive contrast to conditions in the present Communist zone. In this regard encourage and assist
