413. Editorial Note
In a June 27, 1961, memorandum to Walt Rostow, Robert H. Johnson raised the issue of consideration of a bilateral military agreement with Thailand, noting that before the SEATO meeting in mid-March 1961 Foreign Minister Thanat had raised the issue with Secretary Rusk. The Department of State considered that the SEATO meeting was the wrong context to raise the issue and Thanat agreed. Johnson thought that the Thais “may feel that the ball is now in our court and be unhappy that we have made no response.” Johnson also stated that the “State people” thought a bilateral treaty would be more valuable in reassuring the Thais than U.S. aid. (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Thailand, Vol. II, 6/61–7/61)
Thanat’s first mention of the idea was reported in telegram 1508 from Bangkok, February 25; the Department of State’s opinion that the SEATO meeting was inappropriate was sent in telegram 1312 to Bangkok, March 4; and an account of the Rusk–Thanat discussion of the matter is in telegram 1633 from Bangkok, March 14. (All in Department of State, Central Files, 379/2–2561 and 379/3–1461)