Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume III, Vietnam, June–December 1965
The bombing pause and the diplomatic peace intiative, November 27-December 31: Document List
Document 208: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, November 27, 1965, 12:30 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 6AA, High Level Comments re Bomb Pauses. Top Secret; Sensitive. A note on the source text states that this memorandum was received at the LBJ Ranch in Texas at 8:30 p.m. on November 28, and there is an indication that the President saw it.
Document 209: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Rusk and the President's Special Assistant (Valenti)
November 28, 1965, 2:05 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations. No classification marking. Secretary Rusk was in Washington; Valenti was in Texas.
Document 210: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, November 29, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET. Top Secret; Exdis.
Document 211: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, November 29, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Lake and approved by Herbert Thompson of S/S on December 22. The source text is labeled “Part II of II.” The following note is typed at the top of the source text: “As indicated in the attached letter to Mr. Schneider from Mr. Unger, subsequent accounts of the conversation with Bo by Messrs. Mendel and Wood presented a less optimistic picture of the possibility of the DRV's agreeing to talks.” The letter, dated December 5, is ibid.
Document 212: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson
Washington, November 30, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 2EE, Primarily McNamara's Recommendations re Strategic Actions. Top Secret. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 213: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, December 2, 1965, 8:34 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Cables. Top Secret; Eyes Only; Flash. Also from Califano and Moyers.
Document 214: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, December 3, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Cables. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The date-time-group on the source text is illegible. An earlier draft indicates that the telegram was sent on December 3. (Ibid.)
Document 215: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, December 4, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVII. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. There is an indication on the source text that this memorandum was received at the LBJ Ranch in Texas at 11 a.m. on December 4, and that the President saw it.
Document 216: Letter From the Representative to the United Nations (Goldberg) to President Johnson
Washington, December 4, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Memos (A). Secret.
Document 217: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, December 6, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 12:41 a.m.
Document 218: Personal Notes of Meeting
Washington, December 6, 1965, 3 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Papers of McGeorge Bundy, Notes for December 6, 1965. No classification marking. These notes were handwritten by Bundy for his personal use. The meeting was held in Rusk's conference room at the Department of State.
Document 219: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, December 6, 1965, 6:10 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Rusk and cleared by William Bundy.
Document 220: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, December 6, 1965, 7:03 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Cables. Top Secret; Eyes Only. A copy was sent to Austin for Moyers.
Document 221: Telegram From the National Security Council Executive Secretary (Smith) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, December 7, 1965, 9:44 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Cables. Secret; Exdis. Also sent to McGeorge Bundy for information. Received at the LBJ Ranch at 9:07 a.m.
Document 222: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson
Washington, December 7, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Memos (A). Top Secret. Sent to the President in Texas in CAP 65822, December 6. (Ibid., Vol. XLIII, Cables) There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum. This memorandum is a revision of Document 212. A draft of this memorandum with minor revisions and comments by McGeorge Bundy, December 4, is in the Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Memos (A). Another draft with significant revisions, December 6, is ibid., 2EE, Primarily McNamara Recommendations re Strategic Actions.
Document 223: Personal Notes of Meeting With President Johnson
LBJ Ranch, Texas, December 7, 1965, 10:25 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Papers of McGeorge Bundy, Notes of December 7, 1965. No classification marking. The notes are in McGeorge Bundy's hand with a small contribution by Komer. At 10 a.m. on December 7, Dean Rusk, Robert McNamara, Robert Komer, and McGeorge Bundy arrived by aircraft at the LBJ Ranch in Texas. At 10:10 a.m., they assembled in the living room for this meeting with the President to discuss Vietnam policy. At 10:47 a.m., Bill Moyers and Joseph Califano arrived from Austin and joined the meeting. The participants broke for lunch at 12:35 p.m., and resumed their meeting at 1:35 p.m. on the front lawn of the ranch. At 4:34 p.m., Rusk, McNamara, Komer, and McGeorge Bundy returned by aircraft to Washington. (Johnson Library, President's Daily Diary)
Document 224: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, December 8, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Nodis; Priority. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 5:24 a.m.
Document 225: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, December 9, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 6AA, High Level Comments Re Bomb Pauses. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only.
Document 226: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, December 9, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVII. Confidential. Received at the LBJ Ranch at noon on December 10. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum
Document 227: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, December 10, 1965, 11:55 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, International Meetings and Travel File, Senator Mansfield's Trip (Southeast Asia). Secret; Nodis. Received at the LBJ Ranch at 12:50 p.m.
Document 228: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Califano) to President Johnson
Washington, December 13, 1965, 9:45 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, White House Central Files, Confidential File, ND 19/CO 230, Vietnam 1964-65. Secret; Eyes Only. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 229: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, December 14, 1965, 7:45 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVII. Top Secret; Sensitive. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 230: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, December 15, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 3:09 a.m.
Document 231: Notes of Meeting
Washington, December 17, 1965, 9:41 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Meeting Notes File, December 17 Meeting on Vietnam. Secret. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room. McGeorge Bundy sent the President a briefing memorandum for this meeting, which reads in part:
Document 232: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, December 17, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Nodis; Priority. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 8:04 a.m.
Document 233: Memorandum From Senator Mike Mansfield to President Johnson
Washington, December 18, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, International Meetings and Travel File, Senator Mansfield's Trip (Southeast Asia). No classification marking. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 234: Draft Papers
Washington, December 18, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Memos (B). Top Secret. There is no drafting information on the papers.
Document 235: Notes of Meeting
Washington, December 18, 1965, 12:35 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Meeting Notes File, December 18 Meeting with Foreign Policy Advisers on Vietnam. Secret. The source text does not indicate a drafter, but the notes were taken by Valenti. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room. President Johnson describes this meeting in The Vantage Point (pp. 235-237), and quotes from this document.
Document 236: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, December 19, 1965, 5 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVII. No classification marking. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 237: Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to Secretary of Defense McNamara
Saigon, December 21, 1965, 1:35 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIV, Cables. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Repeated to Goodpaster.
Document 238: Notes of Meeting
Washington, December 21, 1965, 12:25p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Meeting Notes File, Meeting with Foreign Policy Advisers. Secret. There is no drafting information on the source text, but the notes were taken by Valenti. The time of the meeting, which was held in the Cabinet Room, is from the President's Daily Diary. (Ibid.)
Document 239: Special Intelligence Supplement
Washington, December 21, 1965.
Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-311-69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Prepared jointly by CIA and DIA. A table entitled “DIA Results of Strikes on DRV Targets Thru Tuesday, 14 December 1965” and a distribution list are not printed.
Document 240: Memorandum From the Ambassador at Large (Harriman) to President Johnson
Washington, December 23, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Memos (B). Secret. This memorandum was sent to the President who saw it on December 31. (Memorandum from Bundy to Johnson, December 31; ibid.) Harriman sent a copy of this memorandum to Rusk. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Johnson, President, '65)
Document 241: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, December 23, 1965, 5 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-VIET. Secret; Exclusive Distribution. Drafted by Squire and approved in S on December 27. The meeting was held in the Secretary's office.
Document 242: Editorial Note
Document 243: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Policy Planning Council and Counselor of the Department of State (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, December 23, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 12 VIET S. Secret. According to a December 24 memorandum from Read to Rusk, Rostow felt “some pressure to get his paper to the White House today.” Rusk approved sending it immediately. (Ibid., POL 27-14 VIET)
Document 244: Memorandum From the Legal Adviser (Meeker) to Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, December 25, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret. Prepared at the request of the President who wanted key officers in the Department of State below the Secretary and Under Secretary level to present him with ideas on new diplomatic initiatives in Vietnam. (Memorandum from Read to Rusk, December 24; ibid., POL 27-14 VIET)
Document 245: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, December 27, 1965, 11:05 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIV, Cables. Top Secret; Exdis. The President was at the LBJ Ranch in Texas, December 21-January 2, 1966.
Document 246: Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations European Office to the Department of State
Geneva, December 27, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET. Secret; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 2:33 p.m.
Document 247: Paper by Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, December 27, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Ball Files: Lot 74 D 272, Misc. Vietnam, Vol. IV. No classification marking. Cooper, in The Lost Crusade (pp. 293-294), describes and quotes from this paper. He states that it was prepared by Rusk “in considerable haste” for the benefit of Vice President Humphrey, Harriman, and the other high-level emissaries sent to other countries to explain the U.S. position in potential peace negotiations. Also printed in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1966, pp. 740-742.
Document 248: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, December 27, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron. Top Secret. Prepared at the President's request; see footnote 1, Document 244.
Document 249: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, December 27, 1965, 5:30 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVII. No classification marking. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 250: Letter From the President's Consultant on Vietnam (Taylor) to President Johnson
Washington, December 27, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, White House Central Files, Confidential File, ND 19/CO 312 (Situation in Vietnam, 1964-1965). Secret. McGeorge Bundy sent this letter to the President with the following comment: “Max Taylor prepared this at my request, and I think you will find it an interesting and thoughtful contribution.” A note on Bundy's covering memorandum indicates this letter was sent to the President in Texas on December 31 at 11:45 p.m.; a notation on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it.
Document 251: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Rusk and the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, December 27, 1965, 7 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations. No classification marking.
Document 252: Draft Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, December 27, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVII. Secret.
Document 253: Memorandum for the Record
Washington, December 27, 1965.
Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-310-69. Top Secret. This memorandum, dated January 3, 1966, is based on Taylor's notes, which he took at the time of the conversation.
Document 254: Editorial Note
Document 255: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, December 28, 1965, 3:45 a.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Pinta; Exdis. Drafted by Rusk; cleared by William Bundy, U. Alexis Johnson, Thompson, and in substance by McGeorge Bundy and Vance; and approved by Rusk. A copy of this telegram was sent to the President in Texas in White House telegram CAP 65927, December 28, 11:06 a.m. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIV, Cables)
Document 256: Notes of Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and the Ambassador at Large (Harriman)
December 28, 1965.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Johnson, Pres., 1965. No classification marking. The President was in Texas; Harriman was in Washington. According to his diary, President Johnson telephoned Harriman from the LBJ Ranch at 10:36 a.m. (Johnson Library, President's Daily Diary)
Document 257: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Burma
Washington, December 28, 1965, 6:13 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S/PINTA. Secret; Flash; Nodis; Pinta. Drafted by William Bundy, cleared by U. Alexis Johnson, and approved by Rusk.
Document 258: Paper by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, December 28, 1965.
Source: Department of State, EA/ACA Files: Lot 69 D 412, Nodis/Pinta, Series 1, Vol. 1. Secret.
Document 259: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, December 28, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Thompson and approved in S/AL.
Document 260: Draft Telegram From the President's Consultant on Vietnam (Taylor) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)
Washington, December 28, 1965.
Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-360-69. Secret. Also addressed to Westmoreland. Taylor sent this draft to the President under cover of a memorandum that reads: “I understand you indicated yesterday to Mac Bundy that it would be helpful if I sent some such message as the attached to Sharp and Westmoreland. If the text is satisfactory, I shall send it at once.” A note by Taylor on the memorandum indicates that the President wanted Wheeler to receive a copy as well. Apparently the telegram was sent.
Document 261: Memorandum for Personal Files
Washington, December 28, 1965.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Divison, Harriman Papers, Secretary Rusk, 1963-1966. No classification marking. Drafted by Harriman.
Document 262: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of Defense McNamara and the Under Secretary of State (Ball)
Washington, December 28, 1965, 6:40 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Papers of George Ball, Telephone Conversations, Vietnam. No classification marking.
Document 263: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State (Ball) and President Johnson
December 28, 1965, 10 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Papers of George Ball, Telephone Conversations, Presidential Conversations. No classification marking. The President was in Texas; Ball was in Washington.
Document 264: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, December 29, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 4:35 a.m.
Document 265: Telegram From the Embassy in Burma to the Department of State
Rangoon, December 29, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 7:15 a.m.
Document 266: Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State
Warsaw, December 29, 1925.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Flash; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 8:47 a.m.
Document 267: Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State
Warsaw, December 29, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 12:26 p.m. and passed to the White House.
Document 268: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, December 29, 1965, 12:46 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Pinta. Drafted by Bundy and approved by Ball. Repeated to the White House.
Document 269: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, December 29, 1965, 4:14 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis; Pinta. Drafted by Rusk. Repeated to the White House.
Document 270: Memorandum From the Director of National Intelligence Estimates (Kent) to the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (Helms)
Washington, December 29, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLIII, Memos (B). Secret.
Document 271: Telegram From the Embassy in Italy to the Department of State
Rome, December 29, 1965, 11:45 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Flash; Nodis; Pinta. Also sent to USUN for Yost. Received at 6:49 p.m. and passed to the White House.
Document 272: Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State
Bangkok, December 30, 1965.
Source: Department of State, EA/ACA Files: Lot 69 D 412, Nodis/Pinta, Series 2, Vol. 1. Secret; Priority; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 8:53 a.m. and passed to the White House.
Document 273: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State (Ball) and President Johnson
December 30, 1965, 11:20 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Papers of George Ball, Telephone Conversations, Presidential Conversations. No classification marking. The President was in Texas; Ball was in Washington.
Document 274: Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State
Warsaw, December 30, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 12:51 p.m. and passed to the White House.
Document 275: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, December 30, 1965, 8:48 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Pinta. Drafted by William Bundy. Repeated to the White House.
Document 276: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, December 31, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 5:12 a.m. and passed to the White House.
Document 277: Telegram From the Embassy in Yugoslavia to the Department of State
Belgrade, December 31, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 9:02 a.m. and passed to the White House. Repeated to Warsaw for Gronouski.
Document 278: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, December 31, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Pinta. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 3:15 p.m. and passed to the White House.