Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI

Policy Planning Staff Files: Lot 64D563¹

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State

secret

[Washington,] February 3, 1950.

At the Cabinet meeting this morning the President asked me to present the question of recognizing the Governments of Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam, and this I did, giving the background and general appraisal of the situation.

The President then asked for the opinion of each member of the Cabinet. All members present believed that the only possible course was to proceed with recognition although they fully realized the hazards involved.

After considering the advice of the Cabinet, the President directed me to proceed in accordance with our recommendation to him.

D[ean] A[cheson]

1. Files of the Policy Planning Staff, Department of State, 1947–1953.