403. Editorial Note

At the 483d meeting of the National Security Council on May 5, 1961, U.S. policy in Southeast Asia was the last item on the agenda. The participants at the meeting concentrated on Cuba, but at the end of the session it was agreed that there should be “some sort of SEATO Standing Force in Thailand” and it was confirmed that assurances were given to [Page 850] Sarit and Diem in light of the upcoming Geneva Conference on Laos. (Memorandum for the record by Admiral Arleigh Burke, May 5; for text, see volume I, page 125)

At the end of the meeting, according to Burke’s account, Ambassador Johnson stated: “when we send troops into Thailand, we should do it with the full Thai approval. He thought it would be easily obtained. We must assure Sarit that we will send troops to support him in the event the communists take over, although this is very unlikely. We must also think of the possibility that the Thais may feel induction of SEATO troops into their country would not be wise at this time.” (Naval Historical Center, Burke Papers, Bumpy Road Materials)

After the NSC meeting, the President approved NSC Action No. 2425, which reads as follows:

  • “a. Noted that efforts should be made to reassure Sarit and Diem that we are not abandoning Southeast Asia.
  • “b. Noted the President’s view that Sarit could be told that we are considering inclusion of U. S. troops in SEATO forces to be stationed in Thailand, the timing to be dependent on developments during or after the forthcoming 14-nation Geneva Conference.
  • “c. Noted that the Secretaries of State and Defense would be sending recommendations to the President promptly on U. S. training troops in Viet Nam.” (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, 483d NSC Meeting)