Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume II, Vietnam, 1962

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

Washington, March 21, 1962—1:09 p.m.

1121. Embtel 1200.² Agree that prompt action should be taken to investigate and if necessary destroy any NVN aircraft operating over SVN territory. Will of course be important avoid any possible incident over Cambodian territory. Also believe any such operation should be handled on very sensitive basis and if necessary introduce additional aircraft they be based outside Saigon area. CINCPAC and USMACV plan in foregoing sense will be given promptest consideration here.

Ball

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5/3-2162. Secret. Drafted and approved by Johnson.
2. Document 120.