198. Telegram From the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to the President’s Military Representative (Taylor), at Bangkok1

The President requests that your conclusions on Vietnam, especially those relating to U.S. forces, not be discussed outside your immediate party in terms which would indicate your own final judgment. He is most concerned that you and he should have firm common ground when decisions are taken, and rumors of your conclusions could obviously be damaging.

Your Bangkok 6262 just received and will be passed to the President in the morning. Concur in your three proposals for interim action and will follow up on them.

  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Trips and Conference Series Taylor Trip. Secret; Eyes Only. The source text bears the notation, “Cable for dispatch via State Department.” No other copy of this message has been found.
  2. Document 197.