Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume I, Vietnam, 1961

I. Visit of General Edward G. Lansdale to Vietnam January 2-14, 1961: Document List

Document 1: Paper Prepared by the Country Team Staff Committee

Saigon, [January 4, 1961.]

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/1-461. Secret. The Country Team Staff Committee was chaired by Mendenhall and composed of officers from MAAG, USOM, USIS, OSA, and the Embassy. Transmitted as enclosure 1 to despatch 276 from Saigon, January 4.

Document 2: Editorial Note

Document 3: Summary Record of a Meeting, The White House

Washington, January 28, 1961, 10 a.m–12:15 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/1-2861. Secret. Drafted and initialed by Parsons. Although the source text indicates the meeting began at 11:45 a.m., according to the President's Log Book and Rusk's Appointment Book, the meeting began at 10 a.m., and Lansdale and Parsons did not join until 10:45. (Kennedy Library, President's Log Book; Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Book) For another account of the meeting, see the memorandum from Rostow, infra. Parsons in his oral history interview incorrectly dates this meeting on January 21 or 22. (Kennedy Library, Oral History Program, J. Graham Parsons)In a memorandum to Dulles, Rusk, and McNamara, January 27, McGeorge Bundy reported that the meeting was called to discuss Cuba and Vietnam, the latter because of the President's “keen interest in General Lansdale's recent report and his awareness of the high importance of this country.” (Ibid., National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series)

Document 4: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, January 30, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series. Top Secret. Initialed by Rostow, who attended the January 28 meeting, although not listed as a participant in Parsons' memorandum, Document 3.

Document 5: Notes on a Meeting Between the Secretary of State and the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Parsons)

Washington, January 28, 1961, 6:47 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Vietnam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, 20 General Lansdale, V-N 1961. Secret. Drafted by Wood. The source text is Wood's handwritten notes.

Document 6: Letter From the Secretary of Defense's Deputy Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to President Diem

Washington, January 30, 1961.

Source: Hoover Institution, Lansdale Papers, Chron File, D.

Document 7: Remarks by the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam (McGarr)

Saigon, January 30, 1961.

Source Washington National Records Center, RG 334, MAAG/Vietnam Files: FRC 64 A 2424, 250/17 Emergency Planning Files. Secret. No drafting information is given on the source text. The remarks were made by General McGarr at a meeting with his senior advisers.

Document 8: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, January 31, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/1-3161. Secret; Limit Distribution. According to another copy, this telegram was drafted by Durbrow. (Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878) Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.