Office of the Historian

148. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam1

Washington, June 3, 1963, 6:46 p.m.

1173. We very concerned by report blister gas may have been used.2 As you of course aware adverse effects such action could hardly be exaggerated. Request you ascertain whether poison gas in fact employed and if so, under what circumstances. If blister gas used, would appear imperative for GVN to promptly disassociate itself from such action and announce intention investigate and punish those responsible.

If report true, believe we must also consider best means indicating our thorough disapproval while at same time not appearing to withdraw general support from GVN. If GVN takes proper action problem need not arise. However, if use of poison gas not disavowed by GVN we may have to warn GVN we likely be faced with necessity making some fairly strong public statement of disapproval.

Would appreciate your views this problem.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-10 S VIET. Secret; Operational Immediate; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Heavner and cleared by Wood and Hilsman. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD.↩
  2. See footnote 2, Document 147.↩