Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume VII, Vietnam, September 1968–January 1969
October 26-31, 1968: The Bombing Halt: Document List
Document 123: Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, October 26, 1968, 11:05 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and Rusk, October 26, 1968, 11:05 a.m., Tape F6810.07, PNO 8. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. The Daily Diary entry regarding this telephone call reads: “Discussion of things talked about in Paris this morning, recognizing participants in talks, the Russians, timing, and election day.” (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)
Document 124: Information Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 26, 1968, 11:20 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. II [1 of 2]. Secret; Harvan Double Plus. The notation “ps” on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it.
Document 125: Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Senator Richard Russell
October 26, 1968, 11:47 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and Russell, October 26, 1968, 11:47 a.m., Tape F6810.07, PNO 10-11. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. The President, in Washington, phoned Russell at Winder, Georgia. The entry for this meeting in the Daily Diary reads: “talk about Lynda's baby, general discussion of current status of peace moves and Paris talks, politics, General Abrams.” (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)
Document 126: Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, October 26, 1968, 12:16 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and Rusk, October 26, 1968, 12:16 p.m., Tape F6810.07, PNO 12-13. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. The Daily Diary entry regarding this call reads: “current situation in Paris, Abrams and Bunker.” (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) A summary of the conversation is ibid.
Document 127: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France
Washington, October 26, 1968, 1951Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Outgoing)-October 1968. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; Harvan Double Plus. Drafted and cleared by Read and approved by Rusk.
Document 128: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, October 27, 1968, 1830Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Incoming)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Received at 2:13 p.m.
Document 129: Notes of Meeting
Washington, October 27, 1968, 7:45-10 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings. No classification marking. The meeting was held in the dining room of the White House. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)
Document 130: Information Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 27, 1968, midnight.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Walt Rostow, Chlodnick File. Secret; Harvan Double Plus.
Document 131: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 28, 1968, 12:40 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. II [1 of 2]. Confidential; Literally Eyes Only. The notation “ps” on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it.
Document 132: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, October 28, 1968, 1025Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Incoming)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Received at 6:17 a.m.
Document 133: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, October 28, 1968, 1115Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Incoming)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Received at 6:49 a.m.
Document 134: Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)
Washington, October 28, 1968, 10:31 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and Wheeler, October 28, 1968, 10:31 a.m., Tape F68.07, PNO 6. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. The President called Wheeler at Clifford's office in the Pentagon. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) A summary of the conversation is ibid.
Document 135: Telephone Conversation Among President Johnson, the President's Special Assistant (Rostow), and Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, October 28, 1968, 10:45 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Among Johnson, Rostow, and Rusk, October 28, 1968, 10:45 a.m., Tape F6810.08, PNO 7-8. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. A summary of the conversation is ibid. The President and Rostow spoke to Rusk through a speaker phone.
Document 136: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 28, 1968, 1545Z.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. II [2 of 2]. Secret; Immediate; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Received at 12:15 p.m. Repeated to Paris for Harriman and Vance. In an attached covering note transmitting a copy of this telegram to the President, October 28, Rostow wrote: “Herewith Bunker's account of his meeting with Thieu and Ky on the joint statement. The proposed paragraph sidelined in red on page 2 [a reference to paragraph 2(B)] is stronger than, I believe, Sect. Rusk would like to see it. But I do believe that the GVN has a right to protect its position at this delicate moment. I am quite sure that Hanoi will seek to protect its position before its people without excessive concern for sensibilities in Saigon or Washington. But you will wish to get Sect. Rusk's judgment.” The notation “ps” on the covering note indicates that the President saw the telegram.
Document 137: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 28, 1968, 1:25 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. II [1 of 2]. Secret; Harvan Double Plus.
Document 138: Information Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 28, 1968, 2 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Walt Rostow, Chlodnick File. Secret; Eyes Only; Harvan Double Plus.
Document 139: Notes of Meeting
Washington, October 28, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings. No classification marking. The meeting lasted from 6:40 to 7:55 p.m. and was held in the Cabinet Room. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) A summary and full transcript of the meeting is ibid., Transcripts of Meetings in the Cabinet Room.
Document 140: Notes of Meeting
Washington, October 29, 1968, 2:30 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings. Eyes Only. The meeting lasted until 5:05 a.m. and was held in the Cabinet Room. It resumed at 6:20 and continued until 7:35 a.m. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) A full transcript of the meeting is ibid., Transcripts of Meetings in the Cabinet Room.
Document 141: Letter From President Johnson to Chairman Kosygin
Washington, October 29, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Walt Rostow, Vietnam: July-December 1968. No classification marking. In a meeting with Harriman the previous day, Bogomolov stressed the Soviet Government's interest in receiving an indication of the next American move. In a memorandum of conversation, Harriman noted: “Then Bogomolov said he was most anxious to know as soon as possible in order that they could inform Moscow. I told him that we would tell him some time during the course of the evening whether we had received a message or not, and give him such information as was appropriate.” (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Special Files, Public Service, Trips and Missions, Paris Peace Talks, HARVAN/DOUBLE PLUS, Cables—Outgoing #27-53)
Document 142: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, October 29, 1968, 1252Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Outgoing)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/HARVAN Double Plus. Text received from the White House and cleared by Read.
Document 143: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, October 29, 1968, 1328Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Outgoing)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/HARVAN Double Plus. Drafted and approved by Rusk and cleared by Read.
Document 144: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Karamessines) to Secretary of State Rusk and the President's Special Assistant (Rostow)
Washington, October 29, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. 3. Secret; Sensitive.
Document 145: Information Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 29, 1968, 8:50 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Walt Rostow, Nixon, Richard—Vietnam. Confidential; Sensitive; Eyes Only.
Document 146: Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, October 29, 1968, 10:30 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and Rusk, October 29, 1968, 10:30 a.m., Tape F68.07, PNO 9. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. According to the Daily Diary, the President called Rusk “re timing—peace talks.” (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)
Document 147: Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, October 29, 1968, 10:37 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and Rusk, October 29, 1968, 10:37 a.m., Tape F6810.08, PNO 4. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. According to the Daily Diary, Rusk called the President “re timing, peace talks.” (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)
Document 148: Notes of Meeting
Washington, October 29, 1968, 1-2:20 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings. No classification marking. The meeting was held in the White House. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)
Document 149: Information Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 29, 1968, 3:35 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. III [2 of 2]. Secret; Harvan Double Plus.
Document 150: Notes of Meeting
Washington, October 29, 1968, 6:28-7:40 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings. No classification marking. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room of the White House. The ending time is taken from the President's Daily Diary. (Ibid.) A summary and full transcript of this meeting are ibid., Transcripts of Meetings in the Cabinet Room.
Document 151: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, October 30, 1968, 0232Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Outgoing)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Drafted from text as received from the White House. Repeated to Paris as Todel 1408.
Document 152: Situation Report by the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Read)
Washington, October 30, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. III [2 of 2]. Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. In an attached covering note transmitting a copy of this report to the President, October 30, 7:55 a.m., Rostow wrote: “Herewith the situation in Paris, including the tea break conversation. I do believe that, unless there is a break in Saigon within the next hour or so reported to us, we should have Vance tell Lau that: The ‘complexities’ referred to yesterday prevent our proceeding at 7:00 p.m. our time; we are still at work to resolve those complexities; we shall be in touch with them again within the next, say, 8 hours.” The notation “ps” on the covering note indicates that the President saw the report.
Document 153: Notes of Meeting
Washington, October 30, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings. No classification marking. The meeting began at 10:09 a.m. in the Cabinet Room with the President, Rusk, Clifford, Rostow, Wheeler, and McPherson in attendance. Christian joined the meeting at 10:15. Read was present for an undetermined period, left, and then returned at 11:30. At 10:24, the President left for the Oval Office to receive a telephone call from Russell. Bundy joined the meeting at 10:30. The President returned at 10:50 a.m. but left again for the Oval Office from 11:52 to noon. The meeting ended at 12:27 p.m. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) A summary and full transcript of this meeting are ibid., Transcripts of Meetings in the Cabinet Room.
Document 154: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Vietnam and France
Washington, October 30, 1968, 1836Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Outgoing)-October 1968. Secret; Priority; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Drafted and approved by Bundy and cleared by Read.
Document 155: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, October 30, 1968, 1850Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Outgoing)-October 1968. Secret; Immediate; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Repeated to Paris for the delegation as Todel 1412. Drafted from a telephone conversation between Rusk and Bunker, cleared by Read, and approved by Rusk.
Document 156: Notes of Meeting
Washington, October 30, 1968, 4 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Although the meeting, held in the Cabinet Room, actually began at 3 p.m. with Rusk, Clifford, Wheeler, Rostow, McPherson, Christian, and Tom Johnson attending, these notes cover only the period from when the President joined the meeting at 3:56 until it ended at 5:18. The President, McPherson, and Christian met earlier that day from 12:27 to 1:40 p.m. to work on McPherson's draft of the President's speech. Christian and McPherson continued to work on another draft of the speech until the 3 p.m. meeting. The President approved a version of the speech at 4:55 p.m., and he asked Staff Assistant Charles Maguire to review the speech at 5:50. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) A full transcript of the meeting is ibid., Transcripts of Meetings in the Cabinet Room.
Document 157: Situation Report by the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Read)
Washington, October 30, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, HARVAN/DOUBLE PLUS, Vol. IV [1 of 2]. Secret; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus.
Document 158: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, October 31, 1968, 0452Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Incoming)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Received at 12:23 a.m.
Document 159: Situation Report by the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Read)
Washington, October 31, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, HARVAN/DOUBLE PLUS, Vol. IV [1 of 2]. Secret; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus.
Document 160: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, October 31, 1968, 1115Z.
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Outgoing)-October 1968. Secret; Flash; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. Drafted and approved by Read from text received from the White House.
Document 161: Notes of Meetings
Washington, October 31, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, George M. Elsey Papers, Van De Mark Transcripts [1 of 2]. No classification marking. The notes begin with the regular meeting of the Secretary of Defense's “8:30 Group” and continue throughout the day. Nitze's brief notes on the same series of meetings is in the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Nitze Papers, Defense Department, Deputy Secretary of Defense Notes, 1968 [6 of 6].
Document 162: Situation Report by the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Read)
Washington, October 31, 1968, 10 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. III [1 of 2]. Secret; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus. In an attached covering note transmitting a copy of this report to the President, October 31, 11:15 a.m., Rostow wrote: “Herewith an interim report of what has been going on in Saigon. The wrangle continues unresolved but Bunker is still in there fighting, armed by your letters.” The notation “ps” on the covering note indicates that the President saw the report.
Document 163: Information Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Washington, October 31, 1968, 11:50 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. III [1 of 2]. Secret; Sensitive. The notation “ps” on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it.
Document 164: Letter From President Johnson to Chairman Kosygin
Washington, October 31, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Memos to the President/Bombing Halt Decision, Vol. IV [1 of 3]. No classification marking. Rusk passed the letter to Dobrynin during a meeting at 10 p.m. on October 31. (Ibid., Dean Rusk Appointment Books, 1968-1969) A memorandum of conversation of this meeting, dated October 31, was drafted by Rusk. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Special Files, Public Service, Kennedy-Johnson, Trips & Missions, Paris Peace Talks, Nodis for Harriman/Vance, HARVAN Plus: Cables Outgoing, #54-91)
Document 165: Situation Report by the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Read)
Washington, October 31, 1968.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Harvan/Double Plus, Vol. IV (1 of 2). Secret; Nodis/Harvan Double Plus.
Document 166: Transcript of Telephone Conversation Among President Johnson, Vice President Humphrey, Richard Nixon, and George Wallace
October 31, 1968, 6:05 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, October 1968 [2 of 2]. No classification marking. Although the transcript, prepared by the White House staff, is derived from a recording of the telephone conversation, the recording has not been found. Jones was on the line to arrange the call. The President, at Washington, reached Humphrey at New York, Nixon at Newark, New Jersey, and Wallace at Norfolk, Virginia. The conversation lasted 16 minutes. Clifford, Rusk, Rostow, Wheeler, and Helms joined the President at 5:54 p.m. and remained with him until 6:35 p.m. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)
Document 167: Summary Notes of the 593rd Meeting of the National Security Council
Washington, October 31, 1968, 6:40-6:50 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Meetings File, Vol. 5, Tab 75. Secret; Sensitive; For the President Only. Prepared by Bromley Smith. Those attending the meeting, which was held in the Cabinet Room, were the President, Rusk, Katzenbach, Clifford, Nitze, Secretary of the Army Stanley Resor, Secretary of the Navy Paul Ignatius, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown, Fowler, Helms, Wheeler, Westmoreland, Palmer, Moorer, Chapman, Acting Air Force Chief of Staff General John Ryan, Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Price Daniel, USIA Director Leonard Marks, Rostow, Smith, Deputy Special Counsel Lawrence Levinson, and Staff Assistants Robert Hardesty and Harry Middleton. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) According to the Daily Diary, the meeting ended at 6:48 p.m., at which time photographers entered. A full transcript of the meeting is ibid., Transcripts of Meetings in the Cabinet Room.
Document 168: Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Vice President Humphrey
Washington, October 31, 1968, 6:52 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and Humphrey, October 31, 1968, 6:52 p.m., Tape F6810.09, PNO 4-5. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared specifically for this volume in the Office of the Historian. A summary of this conversation is ibid. The Daily Diary noted: “The VP called Jim Jones for the President's guidance on what to say re Congr. Gerald Ford.” (Ibid., President's Daily Diary)