324. Editorial Note

On December 3, 1962, Roger Hilsman transmitted to Secretary of State Rusk research memorandum RFE-59, “The Situation and Short-term Prospects in South Vietnam,” which appraised the internal political situation in South Vietnam over the past year. Although the leaders of South Vietnam apparently believed that the tide was turning against insurgency and subversion, the memorandum concluded that this optimism was premature, and that at best the rate of deterioration had decelerated as United States assistance had increased. For text of RFE-59, see United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 12, Part I, pages 487-521.