282. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Canada1
1162. For the Ambassador. As a matter of urgency you should approach the Foreign Minister or other appropriate high-level official for a discreet discussion concerning the suggestions which have been made that the US stop its bombing of North Viet-Nam as a contribution to a peaceful settlement of the question. What we are particularly anxious to learn is whether his government, through whatever source or channel, has received any indications as to whether or not a cessation of bombing would cause Hanoi to stop the actions which it is now taking on its side to interfere in South Viet-Nam. It can be added that we have ourselves posed publicly and privately to the other side the question of what would result from a stop in our bombing, and we have had no indication of any response.
The reply of the Foreign Minister or other official would be appreciated soonest.2 You should also emphasize that this whole question should be treated with greatest discretion.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Unger and cleared in substance by Rusk. Also sent to London, Paris and New Delhi.↩
- In telegram 1373 from Ottawa, May 3, the Embassy reported that the Canadian Government had no evidence that a bombing pause “at this time” would lead Hanoi to negotiate. (Ibid.) On May 4 the Embassies in New Delhi and Paris reported similar responses. (Telegram 3153 from New Delhi and telegram 6239 from Paris; both ibid.) The Embassy in London did not respond directly to the question, but Under Secretary of State Ball was in London May 3–5 for SEATO Council meetings, and British officials may have discussed the question of the probable effect of a bombing pause with Ball.↩