Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXVIII, Laos

Laos: Document List

Document 1: Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Coordination, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Scott) to the Special Group

Washington, January 17, 1964.

Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Special Group Meetings. Secret; Eyes Only.

Document 2: Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to the Station in Saigon

Washington, February 12, 1964, 2:29 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Special Category Messages, Vol. I, 11/63–1/65. Secret; Exclusive; No Night Action. Sent to Saigon exclusive for Lodge, Harkins, and the Station Chief; repeated exclusive to Honolulu for Felt, Department of State for Hilsman, OSD for McNamara, JCS for Taylor and Anthis, and the White House for McGeorge Bundy.

Document 3: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Hilsman) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, February 15, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Secret. Drafted by Neubert and Hilsman on February 15. Copy sent to Harriman.

Document 4: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, February 24, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Vietnam, 01 Feb-27 Feb, 1964. Secret. Drafted by Colby, who apparently also attended the meeting.

Document 5: Memorandum From the Chief of the Far East Division, Directorate of Plans (Colby) to Director of Central Intelligence McCone

Washington, February 25, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Vietnam, 1 Feb-27 Feb, 1964. Secret. Submitted with Helms' concurrence.

Document 6: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Hilsman) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, February 25, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 1–1 ASIA SE. Secret. Drafted by Neubert on February 25 and cleared by Sullivan. A copy was sent to Harriman.

Document 7: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Solbert) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, undated.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 68 A 306, Asia 092, Jan-May 1964. Secret. There was no date on this memorandum but there was an indication that it was received in McNamara's office at 12:30 p.m., February 26. A note on the source text indicates McNamara saw it on February 26.

Document 8: Editorial Note

Document 9: Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Hilsman) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, February 28, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 1–1 ASIA SE. Secret. Drafted by Green. There is a note on this memorandum indicating that Rusk saw it.

Document 10: Editorial Note

Document 11: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 1, 1964, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC for POLAD, Phom Penh, and Saigon.

Document 12: Editorial Note

Document 13: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 3, 1964, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok also for DEPCHJUSMAG, CINCPAC for POLAD, Saigon also for Harkins, and Phnom Penh.

Document 14: Editorial Note

Document 15: Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to the Department of State

Washington, March 16, 1964, 12:05 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret. This telegram was a relay of CAS Saigon 5161, sent to the Department of State Exclusive for Sullivan and Stoneman, to the White House Exclusive for Forrestal, to OSD Exclusive for McNaughton, to JCS Exclusive for Anthis, and to ISA Exclusive for Blouin. Repeated to Vientiane and Honolulu.

Document 16: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, March 16, 1964, 9:08 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by William Bundy, cleared by McGeorge Bundy and Harriman, and approved by William Bundy. Also sent to Saigon as telegram 1448.

Document 17: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 19, 1964, 8 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated priority to Saigon.

Document 18: Editorial Note

Document 19: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, April 2, 1964, 7:08 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Barbis, cleared by Trueheart and Sullivan, and approved by William Bundy. Repeated to Saigon, Bangkok, London, Paris, and CINCPAC.

Document 20: Telegram From the Consulate General in Hong Kong to the Department of State

Hong Kong, April 9, 1964, 5:39 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 LAOS. Confidential, Priority, Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC for POLAD, Saigon, Taipei, and Vientiane.

Document 21: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (Fitch) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, April 9, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Admin Files: FRC 7425, Laos 381. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that McNamara saw this memorandum on April 10.

Document 22: Situation Report No. 1

Washington, April 19, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. II, 4/16/64–4/30/64. Secret. No drafter indicated, but it was prepared in the Operations Center of the Department of State.

Document 23: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, April 19, 1964, 10:10 a.m.

Source: Johnson Library, John McCone Memoranda, Meetings with the President, 4/30/64–5/20/64. Secret. Drafted by Colby on April 20, who mistakenly characterized this as an NSC meeting. It was not an official numbered meeting of the National Security Council.

Document 24: Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rusk at Saigon

Washington, April 19, 1964, 1:02 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; No Distribution. Drafted and approved by Ball.

Document 25: Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rusk at Saigon

Washington, April 19, 1964, 1:58 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Drafted by Green, cleared in substance by McNamara and McGeorge Bundy, cleared in draft by U. Alexis Johnson and Thompson, and approved by Ball. Repeated immediate to Vientiane.

Document 26: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, April 19, 1964, 4:34 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LAOS. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Green, cleared in draft by U. Alexis Johnson, cleared in substance by Forrestal, and approved by Harriman.

Document 27: Transcript of a Teletype Conference Between the Ambassador to Laos (Unger) and Secretary of State Rusk

April 19, 1964, 7:30 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron, Mar/June 1964. Secret; Limited Distribution. Unger was in Vientiane; Rusk was in Saigon. The date of the teletype conference is Saigon time, 13 hours ahead of Washington time.

Document 28: Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State

Saigon, April 20, 1964, 10 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Received at the Department of State at 9:30 p.m. April 19. Passed to the White House, CIA, JCS, OSD, and USUN.

Document 29: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 20, 1964, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok. Received at the Department at 7:46 a.m., April 20. Passed to the White House, CIA, OSD, and USUN.

Document 30: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, April 21, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security Files, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. III, 4/1–30/64. No classification marking. A note on the source text indicates that the President read it on April 21.

Document 31: Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson

Washington, April 21, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. II, Memos, 4/16–4/30/64. Secret. There was no indication that the President saw this memorandum.

Document 32: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) and Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff

Washington, April 21, 1964, 6:50 p.m.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, Chronology of Telephone Conversations, April–May 1964. No classification marking.

Document 33: Memorandum by the Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, April 22, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. II, Memos, 4/16/64–4/30/64. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Drafted by the Office of Current Intelligence.

Document 34: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, April 22, 1964, 10:07 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Confidential. Drafted by Henry and approved in Rusk's office on May 2. The time of the meeting was taken from Rusk's Appointment Book. (Johnson Library) The source text indicates it was Part II of III. The meeting was held in Rusk's office.

Document 35: Summary Record of the 528th Meeting of the National Security Council

Washington, April 22, 1964, 4:45 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Meetings, Vol. I, Tab 9. Top Secret.

Document 36: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, April 22, 1964, 7:43 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LAOS. Secret; Flash; Limdis. Drafted by William Bundy, cleared by Trueheart, cleared in draft by McNaughton and Forrestal, cleared in substance by Poats, and approved by William Bundy. Repeated to Bangkok for DEPCHJUSMAG and to CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 37: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, April 25, 1964, 5:51 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Secret; Flash; Limdis. Drafted by Trueheart and William Bundy; cleared by McGeorge Bundy, McNaughton, and in substance by Rusk; and approved by William Bundy. Repeated to Bangkok, London, Paris, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 38: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson

Washington, April 25, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. II, Memos, 4/16/64–4/30/64. Top Secret.

Document 39: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 26, 1964, 1 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Immediate. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC for POLAD. Passed to the White House, CIA, JCS, OSD, and USUN. Handled as Limdis at the instruction of S/S.

Document 40: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, April 29, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Memos, Vol. II, 4/16/64–4/30/64. Top Secret.

Document 41: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, April 29, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. II, Memos, 4/16/64–4/30/64. No classification marking.

Document 42: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman)

Washington, April 29, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Memos, Vol. II, 4/16/64–4/30/64. Secret.

Document 43: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, April 29, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Meetings with the President, 1 Apr-31 May, 1964. Secret. Drafted by Colby on April 30.

Document 44: Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, April 29, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. II, 4/16/64–4/30/64. Secret.

Document 45: Summary Record of the 531st National Security Council Meeting

Washington, May 5, 1964, noon.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Meetings, Vol. 2, Tab 3. Top Secret.

Document 46: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, May 5, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Meetings with the President, 1 Apr-31 May 64. Secret. Drafted by Colby on May 6.

Document 47: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 15, 1964, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC for POLAD, and Saigon.

Document 48: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 17, 1964, noon.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Flash. Repeated Immediate to Bangkok, London, Paris, Saigon, and CINCPAC. Received at the Department of State at 2:34 a.m., May 17. Passed to the White House, OSD, JCS, and CIA at 3:36 a.m.

Document 49: Special Report of the U.S. Intelligence Board's Watch Committee

Washington, May 17, 1964, 4:30 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. IV, Memos, 5/17/64–5/20/64. Secret. This report was a result of a special meeting of the Watch Committee held at 3 p.m. on May 17 and was transmitted to members of the U.S. Intelligence Board under cover of a memorandum from Frank J. Benny, Director of the National Indications Center at the Pentagon, on May 17.

Document 50: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, May 17, 1964, 6:22 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Flash. Drafted and approved by William Bundy; cleared by McNamara, McNaughton, Harriman, Rusk, and the White House per McNamara. Also sent Flash to Bangkok and Immediate to Saigon. Repeated Immediate to Paris, London, Canberra, Wellington, Karachi, Manila, New Delhi, Ottawa, Warsaw, Moscow, and CINCPAC.

Document 51: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State (Ball) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, May 19, 1964, 9:40 a.m.

Source: Johnson Library, Ball Papers, Telephone Conversations, Vietnam. No classification marking.

Document 52: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) and the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, May 20, 1964, 8:55 a.m.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Chronology, Telephone Conversations, April–May 1964. Transcribed in Harriman's office.

Document 53: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, May 20, 1964.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, Chairman's Staff Group, Box 25. Secret; Eyes Only. Prepared by W.Y. Smith.

Document 54: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 20, 1964, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Flash.

Document 55: Memorandum by the Chief, Far Eastern Division, Directorate for Plans (Colby) and the Assistant Deputy Director for Policy Support, Directorate for Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency (Cooper)

Washington, May 21, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Vietnam, May, 1964. Secret.

Document 56: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 22, 1964, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC for POLAD, London, Paris, New Delhi, Canberra, Moscow, and Phnom Penh and pouched to Ottawa.

Document 57: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Green) to the Assistant Secretary (Bundy)

Washington, May 23, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, Special Papers, Apr/June 1964. Secret.

Document 58: Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Helms) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, May 23, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. V, Memos, 5/21/64–5/31/64. Secret. Also sent to Taylor, William Bundy, McNaughton, and Clay.

Document 59: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 24, 1964, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC, London, and Paris. Received at the Department of State at 8:17 a.m., May 24 and passed to the White House, JCS, OSD, CIA, and USUN at 4:30 p.m.

Document 60: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to the Executive Committee of the National Security Council

Washington, May 24, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, Special Papers, Apr/June 1964. Top Secret.

Document 61: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, May 24, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Vietnam, April 64. Secret. Drafted by Colby on May 24. Bromley Smith prepared an account of this meeting, which he noted began at 11 a.m; for text, see Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. I, pp. 369–374.

Document 62: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, May 24, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Vietnam 1964. Secret; Eyes Only. Dictated by McCone and transcribed by his secretary on May 25.

Document 63: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

Washington, May 24, 1964, 9:47 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Verbatim Text. Drafted by Trueheart, cleared by William Bundy, and approved by Rusk. Repeated to Vientiane.

Document 64: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to the Executive Committee of the National Security Council

Washington, May 26, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. V, Memos, 5/21/64–5/31/64. Secret. Drafted by Bundy on May 26.

Document 65: Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Hughes) to Acting Secretary of State Ball

Washington, May 28, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Secret.

Document 66: Telegram From the White House to the Johnson Ranch in Texas

Washington, May 29, 1964, 1:12 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Vol. II, 5/64–6/64, Memos (B). Top Secret; Exdis.

Document 67: Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rusk at Bangkok

Washington, May 29, 1964, 8:24 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Sent also to New Delhi. Drafted by U. Alexis Johnson and cleared by Ball.

Document 68: Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State

Bangkok, May 30, 1964, 3 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL US–USSR. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Rusk was in Thailand for a brief visit after attending Indian Prime Minister Nehru's funeral in New Delhi, May 28–30. Kosygin also attended the funeral. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Book)

Document 69: Summary Record of Meeting

Honolulu, June 2, 1964, 8:30–11:50 a.m.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 72 A 3470, Southeast Asian Strategy. Top Secret. No drafting information appears on the source text. President Johnson's major advisers met in Honolulu, June 1–2, primarily to discuss Vietnam.

Document 70: Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, June 3, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. VI, Memos, 6/1/64–6/14/64. Secret.

Document 71: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 4, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Memo for the Record, 6 Apr-8 July 1964. Secret. Drafted by Colby on June 8.

Document 72: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, June 5, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 69 A 926, Laos 000.1—Sensitive (381 Laos), 1964. Top Secret; Sensitive.

Document 73: Memorandum for Discussion

Washington, June 5, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Special Meetings on Southeast Asia, Vol. I. Top Secret. Prepared for the President for a meeting on June 5 at 6 p.m. A copy of this memorandum was attached to a June 5 memorandum from McNamara to the President, entitled “South Vietnam Action Program”; see Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. I, pp. 461–464. A title page to that memorandum indicates that the paper and its attachments were prepared in the Department of Defense for the use of the President at a meeting on June 5, at 6 p.m. The President met with Rusk, McGeorge Bundy, and McNamara from 6:52 to 7:43 p.m., June 5. (Ibid., President's Daily Diary) No other record of the discussion has been found.

Document 74: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, June 5, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron, Mar/June 1962. Top Secret.

Document 75: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 5, 1964, 5:15 p.m.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Memos for the Record, 6 Apr-8 July 1964. Secret. Drafted by Colby on June 8. The time of the meeting is from Rusk's Appointment Book; according to the President's Daily Diary, Rusk met with the President at 6:52 p.m. (Both Johnson Library)

Document 76: Summary Record of the 533d Meeting of the National Security Council

Washington, June 6, 1964, 10:45 a.m.

Document 77: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 6, 1964, 10:45 a.m.

Source: Johnson Library, John McCone Memoranda, Meetings with President, 1/4/64–4/28/64. Secret; Eyes Only. Dictated by McCone and transcribed by his secretary. Copies were sent to Carter and Helms. McCone mistakenly describes this as an Executive Committee of the NSC meeting. It is a formal numbered NSC meeting. For Forrestal's account of the meeting, see Document 76.

Document 78: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, June 6, 1964, 6:09 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by William Bundy, cleared in substance with McNamara and U. Alexis Johnson, and approved by William Bundy. Repeated to CINCPAC, Bangkok, and Saigon.

Document 79: Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson

Washington, June 7, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Vol. II, Memos (A), 5/64–6/64. No classification marking. There is an indication on the source text that Johnson saw it.

Document 80: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 7, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of McGeorge Bundy, Meetings on SEA, Vol. I. Top Secret. Drafted by Forrestal on June 10.

Document 81: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 7, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Meetings with the President, 1 May–31 Oct 1964. Secret; Eyes Only. Dictated by McCone on June 8 and transcribed by his secretary. For Forrestal's account of this meeting, see Document 80.

Document 82: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 8, 1964, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Flash; Exdis. Received at the Department of State at 9:48 a.m., June 8.

Document 83: Memorandum of Conference With President Johnson

Washington, June 8, 1964, 3 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of McGeorge Bundy, Meetings on Southeast Asia, Vol. I. Top Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Bromley Smith. Colby and Cooper prepared a separate although substantively similar memorandum for the record of this meeting, June 8. (Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Meetings with President, 1 May–31 Oct, 1964)

Document 84: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, June 8, 1964, 9:40 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Drafted by Rusk and William Bundy; cleared with Manning, Harriman, Sullivan, and U. Alexis Johnson; and approved by Rusk and William Bundy. Repeated to Geneva for Ball.

Document 85: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) and Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff

Washington, June 9, 1964.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. Secret; No Distribution; Personal.

Document 86: Memorandum From Senator Mike Mansfield to President Johnson

Washington, June 9, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. VI, Memos 6/1/64–6/14/64. Personal and Confidential.

Document 87: Draft Paper Prepared for a White House Meeting

Washington, June 10, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. V. Top Secret. No drafter is indicated on the source text, but at the White House meeting (see Document 88) Forrestal summarized the paper and explained its rationale.

Document 88: Summary Record of Meeting

Washington, June 10, 1964, 5:30 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of McGeorge Bundy, Meetings on Southeast Asia, Vol. I. Top Secret; Sensitive. Apparently drafted by Bromley Smith. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room at the White House. The President did not attend. Dean Rusk returned to the Department of State from this meeting at 7:25 p.m. (Ibid., Rusk Appointment Book)

Document 89: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 10, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Memos for the Record, 6 Apr-8 July, 1964. Secret. Drafted by Colby on June 11. Colby mistakenly describes this as an NSC meeting. For Bromley Smith's version, see Document 88.

Document 90: Memorandum From the Counselor and Chairman of the Policy Planning Staff (Rostow) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, June 11, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Vol. III, Memos B, 6/64–8/64. Top Secret.

Document 91: Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, June 11, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Vol. III, Memos B, 6/64–8/64. Top Secret.

Document 92: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 11, 1964, 3 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC for POLAD, London, Paris, Saigon, USUN, the White House, CIA, JCS, and OSD.

Document 93: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, June 12, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. V. Top Secret. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw it.

Document 94: Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, June 12, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. VI, Memos, 6/1/64–6/14/64. Top Secret.

Document 95: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 15, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Memos for the Record, 6 Apr-8 July 1964. Secret. Drafted by Colby on June 16. The meeting lasted from 6 to approximately 7:20 p.m. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Book)

Document 96: Memorandum From the Assistant Deputy Director for Policy Support, Directorate of Intelligence (Cooper) to Director of Central Intelligence McCone

Washington, June 15, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Vietnam, June 1964. Top Secret.

Document 97: Memorandum From the Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Stevenson) to President Johnson

New York, June 16, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. VI, Memos, 6/15/64–6/30/64. Top Secret.

Document 98: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 17, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Memos for the Record, 6 Apr-8 July, 1964. Secret. Dictated by McCone and transcribed by his secretary.

Document 99: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Poland

Washington, June 17, 1964, 8:43 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Trueheart and William Bundy and cleared by George W. Jaeger, Staff Assistant, Bureau of European Affairs, and Rusk. Repeated to Vientiane, London, Moscow, Paris, New Delhi, Ottawa, Saigon, Bangkok, USUN, and CINCPAC.

Document 100: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 23, 1964, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate. Repeated to Bangkok, New Delhi, Saigon and COMUSMACV, London, Paris, and CINCPAC for POLAD. Passed to the White House, JCS, OSD, CIA, and USUN at 7:55 a.m. June 23.

Document 101: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, June 24, 1964, 10:54 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate. Drafted by Trueheart and William Bundy, cleared in substance with McGeorge Bundy and McNaughton, cleared by U. Alexis Johnson, and approved by William Bundy. Also sent to Bangkok and repeated to Saigon, London, Paris, New Delhi, and CINCPAC.

Document 102: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, June 27, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 A 7425, Laos 381, Jan-June 1964. Secret. A note on the source text indicates McNamara saw it.

Document 103: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, June 27, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 69 A 926, Laos 000.1—Sensitive, (092 Laos), 1964. Top Secret; Sensitive.

Document 104: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, June 27, 1964, 7:01 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by William Bundy, cleared with McNamara and in substance with Rusk, and approved by William Bundy. Also sent to Thailand and repeated to Saigon, Paris, London, and CINCPAC.

Document 105: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, June 28, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Muong Soui, Operational Triangle, Vol. I, 6/64–7/64. Secret.

Document 106: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, June 29, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B 1285A, Meetings with the Pres, 1 May–31 Oct, 1964. Secret; Eyes Only. Dictated by McCone and transcribed by his secretary. The meeting lasted from 5:38 to approximately 6 p.m. (Johnson Library, President's Daily Diary)

Document 107: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, June 29, 1964, 7:52 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Trueheart and William Bundy; cleared in draft with Rusk, McNamara, and McGeorge Bundy; and approved by William Bundy.

Document 108: Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Hughes) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, July 1, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. VII, Memos, 7/64. Secret; No Foreign Dissem.

Document 109: Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, July 11, 1964.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, Laos 2. Secret; Personal.

Document 110: Note From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, July 14, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron, July/Dec 1964. Secret.

Document 111: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (McNaughton) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, July 15, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 A 7425, Laos 381 (9 Apr 64), Laos Operations. Secret. A note on the source text indicates that McNamara saw it.

Document 112: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, July 16, 1964, 8:57 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by William Bundy; cleared with McGeorge Bundy, Trueheart, and McNaughton; cleared in substance with Rusk and Forrestal; and approved by William Bundy. Also sent to Bangkok and repeated to Saigon, MACV, and CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 113: Memorandum From James C. Thomson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, July 23, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XII, Memos, 7/64. Top Secret.

Document 114: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

Washington, July 26, 1964, 3:17 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Limdis, Drafted by William Bundy; cleared in draft with Green, Trueheart, Barbis, and Sol Polansky of EUR/SOV; and approved by William Bundy. Also sent to Moscow and Vientiane, and repeated to Paris, Ottawa, New Delhi, Warsaw, Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 115: Memorandum From the Secretary of State's Special Assistant for Vietnam Affairs (Sullivan) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, July 27, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron, Jul/Dec 1964. Top Secret. Sent through William Bundy.

Document 116: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, undated.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron, Jul/Dec 1964. Secret. Bundy's handwritten note on the source text indicates it was probably dated July 28.

Document 117: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, July 28, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, John McCone Memoranda, Meetings with the President, 1/4/64–4/28/65. Secret; Eyes Only. Dictated by McCone and transcribed by his secretary on July 29. Bromley Smith also prepared an account of this meeting. (Ibid., National Security File, NSC Meetings, Vol. 2, Tab 9, 7/28/65)

Document 118: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union

Washington, August 1, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Confidential; Priority; Exdis; Verbatim Text. Drafted by Rusk; cleared by Trueheart, the White House, and Richard H. Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs; and approved by Rusk.

Document 119: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, August 3, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated to London, Moscow, Warsaw, Paris, New Delhi, Ottawa, Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, and USUN, and passed to the White House, DOD, and CIA.

Document 120: Editorial Note

Document 121: Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic and Other Posts

Washington, August 13, 1964, 4:23 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Confidential. Drafted by Barbis; cleared by Trueheart, Klein at the White House, and by Vladimir Toumanoff of EUR/SOV; and approved by Green. Sent to Moscow, London, Paris, Vientiane, Bangkok, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Rangoon, New Delhi, Ottawa, Warsaw, Hong Kong, USUN, and CINCPAC.

Document 122: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, August 18, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. VI. Top Secret. The source text indicates that the President saw it.

Document 123: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, August 20, 1964, 3 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Also sent priority to the White House, DOD, and CIA, and repeated to Bangkok, Vientiane, and CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 124: Memorandum From James C. Thomson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, August 20, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. IX, Memos, 8/64. Secret.

Document 125: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, August 20, 1964, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC to pass to Defense.

Document 126: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (McNaughton) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, August 26, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. IX, Memos, 8/64. Secret.

Document 127: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, August 26, 1964, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Green and Trueheart, cleared by McNaughton in draft and with McGeorge Bundy, and approved by Rusk. Repeated to CINCPAC.

Document 128: Memorandum From the Commander of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Ambassador to Vietnam (Taylor)

Saigon, August 28, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, Westmoreland Papers, History Backup, 27 July–31 August, 1963. Top Secret.

Document 129: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, September 5, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 A 7425, Laos 381. Top Secret.

Document 130: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, September 9, 1964, 8:17 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by William Bundy, cleared by McNaughton, and approved by William Bundy.

Document 131: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, September 13, 1964, 4 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to CINCPAC, Bangkok, Saigon, DOD, and MACV, and passed to the White House and CIA.

Document 132: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, September 16, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 D 7425, Laos 381 (9 Apr 64) Laos Operations. Secret.

Document 133: Memorandum Prepared in the Department of State

Washington, September 18, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Confidential. Drafted by Slutz and cleared by Trueheart and Green. Sent to the White House under cover of a memorandum from Read to McGeorge Bundy, which indicated it had been prepared at Bundy's request.

Document 134: Information Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Green) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, September 28, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LAOS. Confidential. Drafted by Barbis. A note on this memorandum indicates that Rusk requested it and that he saw it.

Document 135: Information Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Green) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, October 1, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 19–2 US–LAOS. Top Secret. Drafted by Barbis and cleared by Trueheart. A note on the memorandum indicates that Rusk saw it.

Document 136: Editorial Note

Document 137: Telegram From the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Washington, October 7, 1964, 10:49 a.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XI, Cables, 10/64. Secret. Drafted by Colonel F.E. Kramer, Assistant for Laos, Far Eastern Region, ISA, and approved by Blouin.

Document 138: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, October 7, 1964, 7:24 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Forrestal; cleared in substance with Rusk, William Bundy, McGeorge Bundy, and in draft with McNaughton; and approved by Forrestal and Rusk. Repeated to CINCPAC, Saigon for COMUSMACV, and Bangkok.

Document 139: Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic and Other Posts

Washington, October 8, 1964, 11:18 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 LAOS. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Barbis; cleared by Trueheart, Clunan, and in substance with James Ozzello of EUR; and cleared by Green. Sent to Vientiane, Bangkok, Saigon, London, Paris, Moscow, New Delhi, Ottawa, Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, and CINCPAC.

Document 140: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, October 13, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 68 A 4023, Laos 000.1–370.64 (092 Laos). Top Secret.

Document 141: Memorandum From the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (Carroll) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, October 19, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 A 7425, Laos 381 (9 Apr 64) Laos Operations. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. A copy was sent to Wheeler. A note on the source text indicates that Deputy Secretary of Defense Vance saw it.

Document 142: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, October 22, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 A 7425, Laos 381. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that McNamara saw it on November 11.

Document 143: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, November 5, 1964, 8:37 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Vladimir I. Toumanoff of SOV; cleared by David H. Henry, Director of SOV, Dexter, J. Harold Shullaw, Director of BNA, Richard H. Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, and Thompson; and approved by Rusk. Repeated to Moscow, Saigon, Phnom Penh, New Delhi, London, Paris, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ottawa, and CINCPAC.

Document 144: Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Southeast Asian Affairs (Trueheart) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, November 12, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, Working Papers, November 54, vol. III, Misc. Back Up. Top Secret.

Document 145: Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, November 30, 1964.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret. Drafted by Dexter and cleared in draft by Corcoran and Robert Johnson.

Document 146: Memorandum of Conversation

New York, December 3, 1964, 11 a.m.

Document 147: Memorandum of Conversation

New York, December 5, 1964, 4 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Confidential. Drafted by Akalovsky and cleared in S on December 9. The memorandum is part II of III. The meeting took place at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.

Document 148: Editorial Note

Document 149: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, December 9, 1964, 1 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 ASIA SE. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Akalovsky and approved in S on December 30. The memorandum indicates it was Part V of VII. This was a luncheon meeting at the Soviet Embassy.

Document 150: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, December 10, 1964, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC for POLAD. Passed to the White House, DOD, and CIA. William H. Sullivan was appointed Ambassador to Laos on November 25, 1964.

Document 151: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, December 17, 1964.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 A 7425, Laos 381. Top Secret. Attached but not printed was a map.

Document 152: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, December 19, 1964.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (McCone) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Memos for the Record, 1 Nov-31 Dec, 1964. Secret.

Document 153: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, December 19, 1964.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XIII, Memos, 12/64–1/65. Secret.

Document 154: Editorial Note

Document 155: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, January 7, 1965, 1 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 1 ASIA SE. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Also sent to the Department of Defense and White House; repeated to Bangkok, Vientiane, and CINCPAC; and passed to CIA. The source text is incorrectly dated January 7, 1964.

Document 156: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, January 14, 1965, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Immediate; Ivory; Exdis. Passed to the White House, DOD, and CIA.

Document 157: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, January 19, 1965, 7:08 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Limdis; Barrel Roll. Drafted by Cleland and Barbis; cleared by Trueheart, McGeorge Bundy, in draft with McNaughton, and in substance with Admiral Mustin of J–3 of the JCS; and approved by Unger. Also sent to Saigon, and repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC, the White House, DOD for JCS, and CIA.

Document 158: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson

Washington, January 22, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XIII, Memos, 12/64–1/65. Top Secret.

Document 159: Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Posts

Washington, January 23, 1965, 2:30 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Confidential; Limdis. Drafted by Trueheart; cleared by Unger, William Bundy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Robert C. Creel, Director of Soviet Affairs David H. Henry, Salans, Thompson, and Director of British Commonwealth and Northern European Affairs J. Harold Shullaw; and approved by Rusk. Sent to Vientiane, Moscow, Paris, London, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, New Delhi, Saigon, Warsaw, and Hong Kong.

Document 160: Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State

Bangkok, January 26, 1965, noon.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 19–3 US LAOS. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Vientiane and CINCPAC.

Document 161: Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Denney) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, January 27, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XIII, Memos, 12/64–1/65. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Limit Distribution.

Document 162: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, January 31, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. VIII, 1/1/65–2/19/65. Secret. An initial on the source text indicates that Johnson saw this memorandum. All four attached telegrams are Secret, Flash and were repeated Priority to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC. For Sullivan's account of this episode, see his Obbligato: Notes on a Foreign Service Career, pp. 221–227.

Document 163: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, February 1, 1965, 5:46 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 6 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Barbis, cleared by Trueheart and Green, and approved by William Bundy. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 164: Memorandum From Bromley Smith of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson

Washington, February 3, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XIV, Memos, 2/65–3/65. Secret.

Document 165: Special National Intelligence Estimate

Washington, February 4, 1965.

Source: Department of State, INR/EAP Files: Lot 90 D 99, SNIE 10–65. Top Secret. Prepared by the CIA and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, and the NSA. All members of the USIB concurred with it on February 4 except the representative of the FBI who abstained on the grounds that the topic was outside his jurisdiction.

Document 166: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, February 5, 1965, 8:05 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Trueheart, cleared by Barbis, and approved by Green. Repeated to Bangkok, Canberra, London, Paris, Phnom Penh, Saigon, and CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 167: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, February 6, 1965, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Bangkok, Canberra, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, New Delhi, Ottawa, Paris, Phnom Penh, Saigon, and CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 168: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, February 26, 1965, 4 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, sent with instructions that the Department pass a copy to the JCS and Saigon a copy to MACV.

Document 169: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, March 1, 1965, 8:37 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Barbis; cleared by Trueheart, Unger, and William Bundy; and approved by Rusk. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, London, Paris, and CINCPAC.

Document 170: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, March 2, 1965, 3:10 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 1–1 ASIA SE. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Robert Owen of SOV and approved in S on March 9. The meeting was held in Rusk's office.

Document 171: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 3, 1965, 1 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok and Saigon. Passed to the White House and Department of Defense.

Document 172: Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State

Bangkok, March 6, 1965, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Secret; Priority. Repeated to London, Paris, Saigon, Vientiane, and CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 173: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, March 14, 1965, 3:17 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis; No Distribution Outside Department. Drafted by Barbis and approved by Unger.

Document 174: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, March 20, 1965, 5:04 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Trueheart, cleared in substance with Hamilton of OSD/ISA, and approved by Unger. Repeated to Saigon, Bangkok, and CINCPAC for POLAD.

Document 175: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 22, 1965, 0546Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC. Beginning in spring 1965, the dates and transmission times of all incoming Department of State telegrams were in six-figure date-time-groups. The “Z” refers to Greenwich mean time.

Document 176: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, March 25, 1965, 8:06 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Barbis; cleared by Miller, Dexter, Blouin, and Mustin; and approved by Unger. Repeated to Saigon, Bangkok, CINCPAC, and COMUSMACV.

Document 177: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, April 8, 1965, 11:49 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Trueheart and Barbis and approved by Green and Ball. Repeated to Tehran for Rusk (who was attending the CENTO meeting), Bangkok, London, Paris, Saigon, and Moscow.

Document 178: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 21, 1965, 0912Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 1 ASIA SE. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis; No Distribution Outside Department. Repeated to Bangkok and Saigon. The substantive portion of this telegram was retyped in the White House, but there was no indication on the retyped copy whether or not it was submitted to the President.

Document 179: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 23, 1965, 1000Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC, Saigon, and USUN.

Document 180: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, April 26, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, White House Central File, Confidential File, FO. Secret. The first page of this memorandum is on White House stationery and the type font is different from the following pages; apparently it was retyped at the White House.

Document 181: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, May 10, 1965, 9:13 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 ASIA SE. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Trueheart, cleared in draft by William Bundy, and approved by Rusk. Also sent to Bangkok, Saigon, London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Moscow.

Document 182: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 13, 1965, 0210Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok and Saigon.

Document 183: Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State

London, May 14, 1965, 1125Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret. Repeated to Vientiane, Saigon, and Bangkok. Rusk was in London to attend the NAC Ministerial meeting May 11–12.

Document 184: Memorandum From James C. Thomson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, May 14, 1965.

Document 185: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Unger)

Washington, May 14, 1965.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Chronology, Telephone Conversations, Nov. 1964–1965. No classification marking. Transcribed in Harriman's office. “PM” appears on the dateline on the source text.

Document 186: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 20, 1965, 0920Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, and JCS.

Document 187: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 21, 1965, 0445Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated to Saigon, Bangkok, and CINCPAC. Passed to DOD and CIA. The substance of this telegram was retyped in the White House and a note on it reads: “send to Pres.”

Document 188: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Office of Southeast Asian Affairs (Dexter) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Unger)

Washington, June 26, 1965.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394. Top Secret; Limdis.

Document 189: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State

Paris, July 8, 1965, 1940Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 US/HARRIMAN. Confidential; Limdis. Repeated to Vientiane, London, Moscow, and New Delhi.

Document 190: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, July 9, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XV, Memos, 4/65–1/66. Secret.

Document 191: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, July 23, 1965.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI (Raborn) Files, Job 80–B01285A, Memos for the Record, 22 July–3 Nov 1965. Secret. Drafted by Colby on July 27.

Document 192: Special National Intelligence Estimate

Washington, August 5, 1965.

Source: Department of State, INR/EAP Files: Lot 90 D 165, SNIE 58–65. Secret; Controlled Dissem. Prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Defense, and the National Security Agency. The Directors of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency concurred with its release by the Director of Central Intelligence. The AEC and FBI representatives on the USIB abstained because the subject was outside their jurisdiction.

Document 193: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, August 7, 1965.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, DOD/OSD Admin Files: FRC 70 A 1265, Viet 381. Top Secret.

Document 194: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, August 9, 1965, 1124Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 195: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, August 13, 1965, 1040Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 196: Special National Intelligence Estimate

Washington, September 10, 1965.

Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 72 D 139, Top Secret Material. Top Secret; Sensitive. Prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency, the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, and the National Security Agency. All members of the USIB concurred with its release on September 10 except the representatives of the AEC and FBI who abstained because the subject was outside their jurisdiction.

Document 197: Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Southeast Asian Affairs (Trueheart) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, September 17, 1965.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394. Top Secret. Drafted by Slutz and cleared by Barbis. A copy was sent to Unger.

Document 198: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, September 28, 1965, 10:29 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret. Drafted by Trueheart; cleared by Unger, George H. Aldrich of L/FE, and McNamara; and approved by Bundy. Repeated to CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, and DEPCHIEFJUSMAG.

Document 199: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson

Washington, September 28, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XV, Memos, 4/65–1/66. No classification marking. This memorandum was also from Chester Cooper and was sent through Valenti, who wrote on the memorandum that he agreed that the President should see Souvanna.

Document 200: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, October 18, 1965.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Confidential. Drafted by George Carroll.

Document 201: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, October 18, 1965, 3:40 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL LAOS-US. Secret. Drafted by Jose DeSeabra of Language Services and Barbis and cleared in Rusk's office on October 26.The time of the meeting is from Rusk's Appointment Book. Rusk's next appointment was at 4:56 p.m. (Johnson Library)

Document 202: Memorandum From the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (Bell) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, November 3, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XV, Memos, 4/65–1/66. Confidential.

Document 203: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)

Vientiane, November 8, 1965, 0600Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to the Department of State as telegram 466, which is the source text, and to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, DOD, and JCS.

Document 204: Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Acting Secretary of State Ball

Washington, November 18, 1965.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394. Top Secret. Drafted by Barbis and cleared by Unger.

Document 205: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 23, 1965.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Nodis; No Distribution Outside Department. There was no time of dispatch on this telegram, which was received at the Department of State at 4:42 a.m.

Document 206: Memorandum From the Officer in Charge of Laos Affairs (Barbis) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Unger)

Washington, November 23, 1965.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394. Top Secret.

Document 207: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 29, 1965, 1112Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Saigon, London, Moscow, and CINCPAC.

Document 208: Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, December 3, 1965.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 Laos. Top Secret, Drafted by Unger. Rusk's initials appear on the source text. Copies were sent to Ball, U. Alexis Johnson, Ewing and Barbis of SEA, Miller of FE/VN, and Sullivan in Vientiane.

Document 209: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, December 4, 1965, 0417Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, DEPCHJUSMAG, DOD, and JCS.

Document 210: Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency (Cline) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, December 10, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XV, Memos, 4/65–1/66. Secret; No Foreign Dissem.

Document 211: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, December 15, 1965, 1100Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 212: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Office of Southeast Asian Affairs (Ewing) to the Director (Trueheart)

Washington, December 16, 1965.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394. Top Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Barbis.

Document 213: Memorandum From James C. Thomson of the National Security Council Staff to Vice President Humphrey

Washington, December 21, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XV, Memos, 4/65–1/66. Confidential.

Document 214: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Vientiane, December 23, 1965, 0525Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Flash; handled by S/S-O as Limdis. Repeated to the Department of State as 678, which is the source text, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, and JCS.

Document 215: Memorandum From the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (Bell) to President Johnson

Washington, December 29, 1965.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XV, Memos. 4/65–1/66. No classification marking. A note on the source text indicates it was sent to Johnson at his ranch in Texas on December 31.

Document 216: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, January 3, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis; Privacy Channel. No time of transmittal appears on the source text, but it was received at the Department of State at 1:29 a.m., January 3.

Document 217: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, January 5, 1966, 1019Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. McGeorge Bundy sent a copy of this telegram to President Johnson, under a covering memorandum, January 5, 5:30 p.m., in which Bundy suggested that the President might be interested in Symington's views as expressed to Sullivan. McGeorge Bundy wrote: “It may be that we ought to talk to him [Symington] before he starts to say this sort of thing in public. He doesn't much like being muzzled by the White House, but he has played ball with us before.” An initial on the memorandum indicates that Johnson saw it. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memoranda to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVIII)

Document 218: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, January 6, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, and COMUSMACV. No transmittal time appears on the source text, which was received at the Department of State at 6:37 a.m., January 6.

Document 219: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, January 13, 1966, 1225Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Exdis/Pinta. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, Moscow, and Warsaw. Passed to the White House.

Document 220: Memorandum From Vice President Humphrey to President Johnson

Washington, February 16, 1966, 5 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memoranda to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XV. Secret. An initial on the source text indicates that Johnson saw it.

Document 221: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Embassy in the Philippines

Vientiane, February 20, 1966, 0610Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret. Repeated to the Department of State as telegram 905, which is the source text, and to CINCPAC and Seoul.

Document 222: Letter From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Vance)

Washington, March 8, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret.

Document 223: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 11, 1966, 0245Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Limdis; Priority. Repeated to JCS, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, 2d Air Division, and Bangkok.

Document 224: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 21, 1966, 1000Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, 2d Air Division, and Deputy Commander, 2d Air Division, Udorn.

Document 225: Memorandum From the Director of the Joint Staff (Burchinal) to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (McNaughton)

Washington, March 21, 1966.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 70 A 6649, Laos 000.1 (373.5 Laos), 1966. Top Secret.

Document 226: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane March 23, 1966, 09095Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 ASIA SE. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, Moscow, London, Hong Kong, and CINCPAC. The time of dispatch on this telegram is an error; it was received at the Department of State at 5:17 a.m., March 23.

Document 227: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, March 23, 1966, 7:23 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 Laos. Top Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Slutz; cleared with Blouin, Mustin, Jorden, in substance with Trueheart, and paragraph 5 with Richard L. Sneider, the Public Affairs Officer, and FE; and approved by Unger. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, and 2d Air Division.

Document 228: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 4, 1966, 1131Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 2 LAOS. Confidential. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, Tokyo, London, Moscow, Hong Kong, and CINCPAC.

Document 229: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, April 5, 1966, 11–11:15 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 17–1 LAOS–US. Confidential. Drafted by DeSebera of Language Services and James P. Murphy of SEA, neither of whom are cited as participants. Approved in the White House on April 16.

Document 230: Memorandum From R.C. Bowman of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant (Rostow)

Washington, April 9, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Memos, 2/66–1/67. Top Secret.

Document 231: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 11, 1966, 0515Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret.

Document 232: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Far East Region, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Hamilton) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Unger)

Washington, May 4, 1966.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 70 A 6648. Laos 000.1 (200.2 Laos). Secret. Sent through Admiral Blouin. Copies were sent to Truehart, Barbis, Colonel Mobley, and the Air Force Foreign Liaison Branch.

Document 233: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 15, 1966, 0935Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 6–3 LAOS. Secret; Flash; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC, JCS, and Saigon. Passed to the White House upon receipt at the Department of State.

Document 234: Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Acting Secretary of State Ball

Washington, May 31, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Cowherd of FE and cleared by Trueheart, Assistant Legal Adviser George H. Aldrich, Seymour Weiss of G/PM, and Unger.

Document 235: Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Saigon, June 4, 1966, 0900Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 April–30 June 1966. Secret; Eyes Only.

Document 236: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 9, 1966, 1130Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 LAOS. Secret. Repeated to Bangkok, London, Moscow, Saigon, and CINCPAC. The substance of this telegram was retyped in the White House and sent on June 10 to the President by Rostow who suggested, “This account of Souvanna and the King of Laos in Moscow will interest you—notably paras 6 and 7, which have the ring of credibility.” His initial on the source text indicates the President read the telegram. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Cables, 2/66–1/67)

Document 237: Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)

Washington, June 10, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 6–12 US. Top Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Cowherd and cleared by Trueheart, Weiss, and James F. Leonard of INR/RES. This memorandum was originally directed to Rusk through Johnson, but Johnson approved it for the Secretary on June 11.

Document 238: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 27, 1966, 0610Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL LAOS. Confidential. Repeated to Bangkok, London, Paris, Saigon, CINCPAC, Hong Kong, and Moscow. This telegram was retyped in the White House, but there is no indication whether or not it was sent to the President. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Cables, 2/66–1/67)

Document 239: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, June 28, 1966, 4–4:25 p.m.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 70 A 6649, Laos 000.1 (333 Laos), 1966. Top Secret. Drafted by Mobley on July 5 and cleared by Blouin. The meeting was held at the Pentagon.

Document 240: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, July 11, 1966, 0930Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 2 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Passed to the White House upon receipt at the Department of State.

Document 241: Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Saigon, July 13, 1966, 0725Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret. Repeated to the Department of State for Unger, which is the source text, OSD, and JCS. Handled as Exdis upon receipt at the Department of State.

Document 242: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, July 16, 1966, 2:27 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Slutz, cleared by Hamilton of DOD/ISA, and Ewing, and approved by Bundy. Repeated to Bangkok, CINCPAC, COMUSMACTHAI, COMUSMACV, DEPCHJUSMAG/THAI. As of July 1, 1966, Department of State telegrams to all posts were numbered consecutively according to the time they were sent. Telegrams repeated to posts for information used the same number.

Document 243: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (Sylvester) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, July 19, 1966.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 70 A 4443, Laos 1966 (Laos 704). Secret.

Document 244: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, August 3, 1966, 0521Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC, Bangkok, Saigon, COMUSMACTHAI, COMUSMACV, DEPCHJUSMAG, and OSD. The substance of this telegram was retyped in the White House and sent to the President under cover of a note from Rostow, August 3, 3 p.m., which reads: “We often forget there is a significant—secondary—war going on in Laos. Here is an interesting account of recent operations.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Cables, 2/66–1/67)

Document 245: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, August 8, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Memos, 2/66–1/67. Confidential.

Document 246: Report by the Chief of the Far East Division, Directorate for Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Colby) to Director of Central Intelligence Helms

Washington, August 16, 1966.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, Far East General. Secret.

Document 247: Central Intelligence Agency Information Report

September 6, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National, Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Memos, 2/66–1/67. Secret; No Foreign Dissem.

Document 248: Memorandum From the Central Intelligence Agency to the 303 Committee

Washington, September 8, 1966.

Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 303 Committee, 9/15/66. Secret; Eyes Alone. No drafting information or attribution appears on the source text. A September 13 memorandum from William Bundy to Alexis Johnson commenting on this report indicates that it was prepared by CIA. Bundy supported the recommendations that the operations be continued and expanded by 3,000 persons in FY 1967, but he believed that the justification for these operations were not tied exclusively to Vietnam. Bundy believed that they were important for the security of Laos and the Mekong Valley. (Ibid.)

Document 249: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, September 11, 1966, 0715Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret.

Document 250: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson

Washington, September 15, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Indonesia, Vol. VII, 5/66–6/67. Top Secret.

Document 251: Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Saigon, September 16, 1966, 0518Z.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. 58, Cables, 9/1–18/66. Top Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated to JCS for Wheeler.

Document 252: Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Saigon, September 16, 1966, 0519Z.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. 58, Cables, 9/1–18/66. Top Secret; Immediate; Limdis; Exclusive. Repeated to the JCS for Wheeler.

Document 253: Central Intelligence Agency Information Report

September 27, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Cables, 2/66–1/67. Secret; No Foreign Dissem.

Document 254: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Unger) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs (Donnelly)

Washington, October 3, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 6–12 US. Top Secret.

Document 255: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, October 8, 1966, 1103Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Hong Kong, Moscow, and USUN.

Document 256: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, October 11, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, Walt. W. Rostow, Vol. XIV, October 1–31, 1966. Secret.

Document 257: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, October 12, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27–14 LAOS. Secret. Drafted by Slutz and Sophia K. Porson of Language Services and approved in Harriman's office on October 28.

Document 258: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, October 12, 1966, 3 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret. Drafted by Hamilton and Alex Toumayan of Language Services and approved in S on October 25. According to Rusk's Appointment Book the meeting began at 3:05 p.m. (Johnson Library) A typed note on the source text reads “Part I of VI.”

Document 259: Memorandum of Conversation

New York, October 13, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Memos, 2/66–1/67. Secret. Drafted by Slutz and Alex Toumayan of Language Services on October 13.

Document 260: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, October 15, 1965, 4:54 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted and approved by Hamilton and cleared with Unger and in substance with Holland of OSD/ISA.

Document 261: Letter From the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)

Vientiane, October 17, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret.

Document 262: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, October 20, 1966, 0200Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Confidential; Flash. Repeated flash to Bangkok, and to Saigon, COMUSMACV, and DEPCHJUSMAG THAI. Passed to the White House, DOD, CIA, and NSA.

Document 263: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, October 21, 1966, 12:39 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Secret; Flash; Limdis. Drafted by Hamilton and approved by Berger. Repeated flash to Saigon and Manila for William Bundy, who was attending the Manila Conference with South Vietnamese leaders.

Document 264: Paper Prepared for President Johnson

Washington, undated.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Cables, 2/66–1/67. Secret. No drafting information appears on the source text. It was sent to Rostow for the President and sent for information to Jorden. Apparently this was the text of a cable sent to Manila for the President.

Document 265: Telegram From Secretary of Defense McNamara to the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan)

Washington, October 21, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Cables, 2/66–1/67. Top Secret. Drafted and released by Richard C. Steadman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs). Bromley Smith wrote a note on the White House copy of this telegram making certain that Rostow should see it.

Document 266: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, October 22, 1966, 5:55 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 LAOS. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to Bangkok, repeated to Manila, Paris, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, DEPCHJUSMAG THAI, DIA, and DEPCMDR 7/13th AF Udorn. Passed to the White House, CIA, USIA, and NSA.

Document 267: Memorandum From D.W. Ropa of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant (Rostow)

Washington, November 3, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Name File, Ropa Memos. Secret.

Document 268: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 9, 1966, 0852Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Limdis. Also sent to DOD and repeated to CINCPAC, Bangkok, 7th Air Force T SN, DEPCHJUSMAG THAI, 7th/23d Air Force Udorn, 606 ACS Udorn, and COMUSMACTHAI.

Document 269: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 18, 1966, 1135Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 2 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, Paris, Saigon, CINCPAC, and DEPCHJUSMAG THAI.

Document 270: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Unger) to the Under Secretary of State (Katzenbach)

Washington, December 2, 1966.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret. Drafted by Slutz, Hamilton, and Unger; cleared by Hamilton, Oscar V. Armstrong, Public Affairs Officer in EAP, and Harold Kaplan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. As of November 1 the names of the Assistant Secretary and the Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs was changed to East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Document 271: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, December 27, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Memos, 2/66–1/67. Confidential. The source text indicates that the President saw this memorandum.

Document 272: Central Intelligence Agency Information Report

December 30, 1966.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Cables, 2/66–1/67. Confidential.

Document 273: Note From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, January 7, 1967, 9:05 a.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVI, Memos, 2/66–1/67. Confidential. The source text indicates that Johnson saw it.

Document 274: Memorandum From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Kohler) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, January 13, 1967.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret. Drafted by Hamilton.

Document 275: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, January 21, 1967, 0507Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 7 LAOS–VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok and Saigon.

Document 276: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)

Honolulu, February 16, 1967, 1906Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 Jan-31 Mar 1967. Top Secret. Repeated to Westmoreland.

Document 277: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, February 24, 1967, 9:50 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Hamilton and cleared by Steadman, Unger, and Daniel Arzac of the Bureau of Public Affairs.

Document 278: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)

Honolulu, February 25, 1967, 0152Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 Jan-31 Mar 1967. Top Secret. Repeated to Westmoreland and General John D. Ryan, Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Force.

Document 279: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, February 25, 1967, 0850Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Received at the Department of State at 4:40 p.m., February 25, Washington time.

Document 280: Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rusk at the American Chiefs of State Conference, Punta del Este, Uruguay

Washington, April 13, 1967, 2:51 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted and approved by John P. Walsh of S/S. Repeated to Moscow, London, Vientiane, Ottawa, New Delhi, Warsaw, and Saigon.

Document 281: Memorandum From the Ambassador at Large (Harriman) and the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Rostow) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, April 17, 1967.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, McNamara, Robert. Top Secret; Nodis.

Document 282: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, April 20, 1967.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 71 A 4919, Laos 000.1—(Laos 381), 1967. Top Secret; Sensitive.

Document 283: Memorandum From the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan) to the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, May 1, 1967.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, Far East, General. Top Secret.

Document 284: Editorial Note

Document 285: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union

Washington, May 10, 1967.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority. Drafted and approved by Rusk and cleared by Eugene Rostow, Unger, William Bundy, and Walt Rostow.

Document 286: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp) to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)

Honolulu, May 13, 1967, 0319Z.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 72 A 2467, Laos (Laos 385) 1967. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to JCS, CINCUSARPAC, and Vientiane.

Document 287: National Intelligence Estimate

Washington, May 18, 1967.

Source: Department of State, INR/EAP Files: Lot 90 D 165. Secret; Controlled Dissem. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, and the NSA participated in the preparation of this estimate. It was submitted by the Director of Central Intelligence to the U.S. Intelligence Board on May 18. All members of the Board concurred except the representatives of the AEC and FBI who abstained because the subject was outside their jurisdiction.

Document 288: Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Saigon, May 24, 1967, 0350Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 Apr-30 June 1967. Top Secret; Limited Distribution. Repeated to Wheeler.

Document 289: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 29, 1967, 1000Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, CINCPACAF, and JCS.

Document 290: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, June 3, 1967, 12:15 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 15 LAOS–US. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Hamilton; cleared by Aldrich, Habib, and Steadman; and approved by Kohler. Repeated to JCS, CINCPAC, and COMUSMACV.

Document 291: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 9, 1967, 0929Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Moscow, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, and 7th AF.

Document 292: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, June 17, 1967.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 71 A 4919, Laos 000.1—(Laos 381), 1967. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that Deputy Secretary of Defense Vance saw it.

Document 293: Memorandum of Conversation

New York, June 21, 1967, 8:15–11 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL US–USSR. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Stoessel and approved in Rusk's office on June 27. The dinner meeting was held at the Secretary's apartment in the Waldorf Towers. The conversation on Laos is one part of seven memoranda of conversation. All are ibid., Kohler Files: Lot 71 D 460, Rusk-Gromyko.

Document 294: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, June 29, 1967, 4:43 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 17 LAOS–US. Top Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Hamilton; cleared with Habib, Rear Admiral Lemos of DOD/ISA, Arzac, Salans, and Brigadier General Dobson of the Joint Staff, J–3; and approved by Kohler. Repeated to JCS, CINCPAC, and COMUSMACV.

Document 295: Information Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Kohler) to the Under Secretary of State (Katzenbach)

Washington, July 5, 1967.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret. Drafted by Hamilton.

Document 296: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, July 6, 1967, 0830Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 LAOS–US. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, and JCS.

Document 297: Memorandum From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Saigon, July 10, 1967.

Source: Johnson Library, Papers of Paul C. Warnke, McNaughton Files, MCNTN XIV, Misc. 1967 (3). Top Secret; Limdis; Noforn. Copies were sent to CJCS and CINCPAC.

Document 298: Memorandum From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Saigon, July 11, 1967.

Source: Johnson Library, Paul C. Warnke Papers, McNaughton Files, MCNTN XIV, Misc. (3). Top Secret. Copies were sent to JCS and CINCPAC.

Document 299: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, July 18, 1967, 0330Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, London, Moscow, New Delhi, Ottawa, Paris, Rangoon, Saigon, Warsaw, Hong Kong, CINCPAC, and DEPCHJUSMAGTHAI.

Document 300: Letter From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Steadman) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Habib)

Washington, July 21, 1967.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret.

Document 301: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, July 24, 1967, 0550Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC, Bangkok, Saigon, COMUSMACV, JCS, and SecDef.

Document 302: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, July 29, 1967, 0930Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 1 ASIA SE–US. Secret; Exdis; No Distribution Outside Department.

Document 303: Central Intelligence Agency Information Report

July 29, 1967.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVII, Cables, 2/67–12/67. Confidential.

Document 304: Memorandum From the Central Intelligence Agency to President Johnson

Washington, July 31, 1967.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVII, Memos, 2/67–12/67. Secret. An attached covering note from Walt Rostow to President Johnson, August 1, reads: “Herewith Dick Helms' man, Bill Colby, reports quiet but substantial progress in Laos. The pressure of the road-watch teams, married to jet aircraft, is one reason infiltration has shifted to the DMZ.” There is an indication on the note that the President saw the memorandum.

Document 305: Information Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Habib) to the Under Secretary of State (Katzenbach)

Washington, August 9, 1967.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 ASIA SE. Top Secret. Copies were sent to William Bundy, Kohler, and John C. Ausland of G/PM.

Document 306: Telegram From the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan) to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)

Vientiane, August 10, 1967, 1210Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 July–30 Sept. 1967. Top Secret. This message had no number and was not sent via Department of State communications channels. Also sent to Admiral Sharp.

Document 307: Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Saigon, August 13, 1967, 1310Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 July–30 Sept. 1967. Top Secret. Repeated to Wheeler.

Document 308: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Warnke) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, August 26, 1967.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 71 A 4919, Laos 000.1—(381 Laos), 1967. Top Secret. Drafted by Mobley and Lemos.

Document 309: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand

Washington, September 1, 1967, 2338Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis; Priority. Drafted by Steadman, cleared by Warnke and Habib, cleared in substance by Katzenbach, and approved by Bundy. Also sent to Vientiane and repeated to Saigon, CINCPAC, and COMUSMACV.

Document 310: Memorandum of Meeting With President Johnson

Washington, September 12, 1967, 1:25–3:10 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Meeting Notes File. Top Secret. Drafted by Jim Jones, who sent it to the President.

Document 311: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, October 19, 1967.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Visit of Souvanna Phouma, 1/20–21/67. Top Secret; Exdis. The source text indicates that the President saw it.

Document 312: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, October 20, 1967, 12.30 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Visit of Souvanna Phouma, 10/20–21/67. Secret. Drafted by Toumayan and Slutz. A note on a copy of this memorandum in the Department of State indicates that it was approved by Walt Rostow on October 27. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S)

Document 313: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, October 20, 1967, 1 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Visit of Souvanna Phouma, 10/20–21/67. Top Secret; Exclusive Distribution. Drafted by Toumayan and Slutz.

Document 314: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, October 21, 1967, 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 LAOS. Secret. Drafted by Toumayan and Slutz and approved in S on November 5. The meeting was held at Blair House. The time of the end of the meeting is from Rusk's Appointment Book. (Johnson Library) Prior to this meeting Vice President Humphrey met Souvanna at 11 a.m. at Blair House. Souvanna and Humphrey discussed bombing policy against North Vietnam and rice production in Laos. (Memorandum of conversation, October 21; Department of State, Central Files, POL LAOS–US)

Document 315: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos

Washington, October 20, 1967, 2331Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis; No Distribution Outside Department. Drafted by Richard C. Holbrooke (U), cleared by William Bundy, and approved by Katzenbach.

Document 316: Editorial Note

Document 317: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, November 28, 1967.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 5 EE (1) Laos, 10/67–12/68. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates it was for use at a luncheon meeting on November 28. The President met with Rusk, McNamara, Rostow, and Christian for lunch at 1 p.m. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Book) No other record of this meeting has been found.

Document 318: Memorandum of Meeting With President Johnson

Washington, November 29, 1967, 1:40–2:37 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson's Notes of Meetings, 11/29/67. Top Secret. The meeting was held at the White House.

Document 319: Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)

Washington, November 29, 1967, 2337Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 Nov-30 Nov 1967. Top Secret. Also sent to Sharp and repeated to Sullivan.

Document 320: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 30, 1967, 1325Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, CINCSAC, and COMUSMACV.

Document 321: Intelligence Memorandum Prepared by the Directorate of Intelligence of the Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, December 1967.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 72 A 2468, Laos (Laos 385.1), 1967. A note on the source text indicates that McNamara saw it on December 4.

Document 322: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, December 16, 1967, 0340Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Moscow, Saigon, COMUSMACV, and CINCPAC.

Document 323: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)

Washington, December 18, 1967.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 72 A 2468, Laos (Laos 385.1), 1967. Secret.

Document 324: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, December 20, 1967, 0603Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, CINCSAC, and COMUSMACV.

Document 325: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson in Texas

Washington, December 26, 1967, 6:02 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVII, 2/67–12/67. Secret. A note on the source text indicates it was received at the LBJ Ranch at 6:35 p.m. This report was drafted by the Central Intelligence Agency and sent to the White House as report No. 1688. (Ibid., Vietnam, 5 EE (1) Laos 10/67–12/68)

Document 326: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, January 2, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73 A 1250, Laos 385.1, 1968. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that McNamara saw the “brief.”

Document 327: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)

Honolulu, January 21, 1968, 1948Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 Jan-31 Jan 1968. Secret. Repeated to Westmoreland.

Document 328: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, January 22, 1968.

Source: Library of Congress Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Kennedy and Johnson Administrations, Sullivan, William H. Secret; Personal Files Only.

Document 329: Central Intelligence Agency Information Cable

January 30, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, Cables, 1/68–1/69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Routine.

Document 330: Memorandum From the County Director for Laos and Cambodia (Herz) to the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, February 1, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret. Drafted by Slutz. Copy sent to Habib.

Document 331: Memorandum of Conversation

Washington, February 15, 1968.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Bohlen and approved in S on February 19. The source text is Part II of VI.

Document 332: Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Bohlen)

Washington, February 23, 1968.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret. Drafted by Slutz and cleared by Herz.

Document 333: Editorial Note

Document 334: Memorandum From the Director of the Office of Laos and Cambodia Affairs (Herz) to the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, February 27, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret. Drafted by Slutz and Herz.

Document 335: Memorandum From the Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (McConnell) to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, February 27, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73 A 1250, Laos 385.1, 1968. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that the Deputy Secretary of Defense saw this memorandum.

Document 336: Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Hughes) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, February 28, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 5 EE (1) Laos, 10/67–12/68. Top Secret; Exdis.

Document 337: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, February 29, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73 A 1304, Laos 385.1, 1968. Top Secret.

Document 338: Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Saigon, March 3, 1968, 0323Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 Mar-31 Mar 1968. Top Secret; Limited Distribution. Repeated to Wheeler.

Document 339: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 9, 1968, 0730Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, London, Moscow, and CINCPAC.

Document 340: Central Intelligence Information Cable

March 9, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, 1/68–1/69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem; No Dissem Abroad; Background Use Only. According to a note on the source text, advance copies were transmitted to the White House, State, DIA, Army, Navy, Air Force, JCS, NIC, NSA, and OCI.

Document 341: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 11, 1968, 0532Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated to JCS, CINCPAC, CINCPACAF, 7th AF, and 7/13 AF.

Document 342: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 13, 1968, 0558Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to JCS, CINCPAC, CINCPACAF, COMUSMACV, 7AF, and 7/13 AF.

Document 343: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 14, 1968, 0841Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, JCS, 7th AF, and JCS.

Document 344: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 16, 1968, 1100Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, JCS, COMUSMACV, 7 AF, and 7/13 AF.

Document 345: Note From the President's Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson

Washington, March 19, 1968, 12:20 p.m.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Cambodia 5 E (2)a, 1/68–10/68. Top Secret.

Document 346: Special National Intelligence Estimate

Washington, March 21, 1968.

Source: Department of State, INR/EAP Files: Lot 90 D 165, SNIE 58–68. Secret; Controlled Dissem. The CIA, the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, and the National Security Agency participated in the preparation of this volume. All members of the USIB concurred with its release except the representatives of the AEC and FBI who abstained because the topic was outside their jurisdiction.

Document 347: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 23, 1968, 0620Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis; No Distribution Outside Dept.

Document 348: Letter From the Country Director for Laos and Cambodia (Herz) to the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan)

Washington, March 23, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret; Official-Informal.

Document 349: Memorandum From Marshall Wright of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant (Rostow)

Washington, March 25, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 5EE (1) Laos, 10/67–12/68. Top Secret; Exdis.

Document 350: Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Read) to the President's Special Assistant (Rostow)

Washington, March 26, 1968.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret. For the additional drafting information on this study, see Document 348. Sent also to Steadman, Special Assistant to Clifford, and on April 2 to Taylor at the White House. (Department of State, Central Files, DEF 1–1 LAOS)

Document 351: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, March 27, 1968, 0610Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Exdis.

Document 352: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Warnke) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Nitze)

Washington, March 28, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 72 A 1499, Laos 000.1—(Laos 381), 1968. Top Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Mobley.

Document 353: Letter From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Habib) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Steadman)

Washington, March 30, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret. Drafted by Slutz.

Document 354: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, March 30, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 72 A 1499, Laos 000.1—(092 Laos), 1968. Top Secret; Sensitive.

Document 355: Memorandum From Robert N. Ginsburgh of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant (Rostow)

Washington, April 22, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Cambodia 5 E (2)b, 1/68–10/68. Top Secret; Sensitive.

Document 356: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, April 23, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret. Drafted by Herz.

Document 357: Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, April 23, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret. Drafted by Herz.

Document 358: Editorial Note

Document 359: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 24, 1968, 0346Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Priority; Nodis.

Document 360: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, April 24, 1968, 0942Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis.

Document 361: Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk

Washington, April 29, 1968.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret. Drafted by Slutz and cleared in draft by Herz and Habib. An April 29 covering note from Bundy to Rusk informed the Secretary that Bundy told the JCS and DOD (at staff levels) of this proposal and they were sympathetic. Wheeler insisted that the President must make the decision and that the initiative must come from Rusk. A note on the covering note indicated that Rusk agreed to include it on the April 30 luncheon agenda.

Document 362: Letter From the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan) to the Country Director for Laos and Cambodia (Herz)

Vientiane, April 29, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret.

Document 363: Intelligence Memorandum Prepared by the Directorate of Intelligence of the Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, May 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, Memos 1/68–1/69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. A note at the bottom of page 1 reads:” This memorandum was prepared solely by CIA. It was prepared by the Office of Economic Research and was coordinated with the Director's Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs and the Office of Current Intelligence.”

Document 364: Letter From the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan) to the Country Director for Laos and Cambodia (Herz)

Vientiane, May 6, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret; Official-Informal.

Document 365: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 7, 1968, 0435Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 6 LAOS. Confidential; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 366: Letter From the Under Secretary of State (Katzenbach) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Nitze)

Washington, May 8, 1968.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret. Bundy sent a draft of this letter to Katzenbach under cover of a memorandum of May 3, drafted by Herz on April 23, recommending that Katzenbach sign the letter and give it to Nitze on the evening of May 8. A note on another copy indicates that Nitze saw it. (Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73A 1304, Laos 381, 1968)

Document 367: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, May 16, 1968, 0430Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Nodis; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok.

Document 368: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp) to the Director of the Joint Staff (Spivy)

Honolulu, May 24, 1968, 0229Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 May–31 May 1968. Top Secret. Repeated to Westmoreland, General Beach (CINC–USARPAC), General Ryan (CINPACAF), and Admiral Hyland (CINCPACFLT). Lieutenant General Berton E. Spivy, Jr., was Director of the Joint Staff April 1, 1967–July 31, 1968.

Document 369: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)

Vientiane, May 30, 1968, 0847Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to the Department of State, which is the source text.

Document 370: Intelligence Memorandum Prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, June 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, Memos 1/68–1/69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. A note on the source text indicates that this memorandum was produced solely by the CIA's Office of Economic Research in coordination with the Director's Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs.

Document 371: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara

Washington, June 17, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 72 A 1499, Laos 000.1—(381 Laos), 1968. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that Warnke saw this memorandum.

Document 372: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Embassy in France

Vientiane, June 20, 1968, 1106Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 2 LAOS. Secret. Repeated to the Department of State, which is the source text, Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 373: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, June 21, 1968, 0541Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret. Repeated to Bangkok, Paris for Ambassador Sullivan, Saigon, JCS, CINCPAC, COMUSMACV, Seventh AF, and DIA.

Document 374: Memorandum From the Chief, Far East Division, Directorate of Plans (Nelson) to Director of Central Intelligence Helms

Washington, July 12, 1968.

Document 375: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, July 18, 1968, 0602Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–4 LAOS. Confidential. Repeated to Bangkok, Paris, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 376: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, August 9, 1968, 0601Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 6–6 Laos. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 377: Study of the Central Intelligence Agency's Laos Paramilitary Program Prepared by the Chief of the Far East Division, Directorate of Plans (Nelson)

Washington, August 15, 1968.

Document 378: Paper Prepared by the East Asian and Pacific Interdepart- mental Regional Group

Washington, September 10, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam 5 EE 910 Laos, 10/67–12/68. Secret. According to a covering memorandum from the Staff Director of the Group to its members, including William Bundy who was its chairman, the EA/IRG (formerly FE/IRG) was asked on May 29, 1968, to prepare a paper on the repercussions in Laos of de-escalation in Vietnam. This paper, coordinated with the relevant agencies and with the Embassy in Laos, was the result. The staff director asked for any final comments or changes before it was discussed by the EA/IRG.

Document 379: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, September 25, 1968, 1044Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 7 LAOS–US. Secret.

Document 380: Intelligence Memorandum Prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, September 25, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, Memos, 1/68–1/69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. A note on the source text indicates that this memorandum was produced by the CIA's Office of Current Intelligence and coordinated with the Office of National Estimates and the Clandestine Services.

Document 381: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, September 26, 1968, 0451Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Nodis.

Document 382: Memorandum From Marshall Wright of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant (Rostow)

Washington, September 26, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security Files, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, Memos 1/68–1/69. No classification marking.

Document 383: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, October 8, 1968, 0440Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 LAOS. Confidential; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, London, Moscow, Paris, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 384: Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Hughes) to Acting Secretary of State Katzenbach

Washington, October 9, 1968.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, Memos, 1/68–1/69. Secret; No Foreign Dissem.

Document 385: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Warnke) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)

Washington, October 17, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 72 A 1499. LAOS 000.1—(381 Laos), 1968. Top Secret. Drafted by Steadman. Also sent to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis.

Document 386: Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Brown) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Bohlen)

Washington, October 21, 1968.

Document 387: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, October 23, 1968, 1141Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, INT 2–2. Top Secret.

Document 388: Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy) to the Ambassador in Laos (Sullivan)

Washington, October 24, 1968.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, Ambassador's Private Correspondence, 1967–68. Secret; Personal—Eyes Only.

Document 389: Special National Intelligence Estimate

Washington, October 31, 1968.

Source: Department of State, INR/EAP Files: Lot 90 D 165, SNIE 58–1–68. Secret; Sensitive; Limit Distribution; Controlled Dissem. Prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense, and the NSA. All members of the USIB concurred with its release except the representatives of the FBI and AEC who abstained because the subject was outside their jurisdiction.

Document 390: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 4, 1968, 0950Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 391: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 11, 1968, 1045Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Paris for HARVAN (Harriman and Vance, the U.S. negotiators in Paris), Saigon, and CINCPAC.

Document 392: Letter From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Warnke) to the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, November 11, 1968.

Source: Department of State, EA/Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Files: Lot 75 D 394, TS. Top Secret.

Document 393: Airgram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Washington, November 18, 1968.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 1 LAOS–US. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Paris, Saigon, CINCPAC, DEPCHJUSMAGTHAI, DIA, London, Moscow, and Tokyo.

Document 394: Memorandum From the Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (McConnell) to Secretary of Defense Clifford

Washington, November 20, 1968.

Source: Washington National Record Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73 A 1250, Laos 0385.1, 1968. Secret. A note on the source text indicates that Clifford saw it.

Document 395: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, November 26, 1968, 1220Z.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVIII, Memos 1/68–1/69. Secret; Limdis. Marshall Wright sent this telegram to Rostow under cover of a memorandum of November 27. Responding to an earlier question to him and Robert Ginsburgh, Wright wrote Rostow, “it is not what we should do but what we can do. The answer, in Ginsburgh's judgement is 'nothing'.” In a postscript, Wright noted that Ginsburgh asked that he amend his view to read, “Nothing, unless we want to go to war with China.” (Ibid.)

Document 396: Paper Prepared by the Department of State

Washington, undated.

Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Laos EE (1), 10/67–12/68. Top Secret. No drafting information appears on the source text, but it was apparently prepared by EAP as a part of the interagency reassessment of policy toward Laos described in Documents 392 and 389.

Document 397: Telegram From the Ambassador to Laos (Sullivan) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (McCain)

Vientiane, December 3, 1968, 0553Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Abrams Papers, Messages, No. 1944. Top Secret. Repeated to [less than 1 line of text not declassified], JCS, COMUSMACV, and CIA. This telegram was not sent over Department of State communications channels.

Document 398: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (McCain) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)

Honolulu, December 11, 1968, 0320Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Abrams Papers, Messages, No. 1984. Top Secret; Limdis; Eyes Only. Repeated to Abrams and Sullivan.

Document 399: Memorandum From the Secretary of the Air Force (Brown) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Nitze)

Washington, December 11, 1968.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 73 A 1250, Laos 385.1, 1968. Secret. A note on the source text indicates Nitze saw it.

Document 400: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (McCain) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)

Honolulu, December 21, 1968, 0403Z.

Source: Center of Military History, Abrams Papers, Messages, No. 2058. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Repeated to Abrams and Sullivan.

Document 401: Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State

Vientiane, December 31, 1968, 0545Z.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Top Secret; Exdis; No Distribution Outside Dept. “Nodis” was handwritten on the source text.