Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume I, Vietnam, 1964

127. Memorandum From the Secretary of State’s Special Assistant for Vietnam (Sullivan) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to the Secretary of State¹

Washington, April 24, 1964.

SUBJECT

• Actions on Your Recommendations Affecting Viet Nam²

This is an interim report on the actions which we are taking to implement the recommendations which you have made concerning Viet Nam. For the sake of easy reference, we will run down the list in accordance with the numbered sequence you have laid out in your own summary of those recommendations.

A. Actions presenting no substantial policy problems:

1. Increase in Sources of External Assistance.

The Department of Defense has been directed to send a message through military channels to MACV instructing the latter to indicate the types of assistance that can best be integrated into the current US military efforts. MACV has been directed to discuss the problem with the Ambassador before answering. As far as other types of assistance are concerned, AID/Washington has been asked to compile a list of desirable economic and technical projects which could be provided from national resources other than the US. We had already undertaken efforts for increased medical assistance and have suggested to USOM in Saigon that they send a representative to Manila to investigate the Filipino potential.

2. GVN Diplomatic and Foreign Information Activity.

Lodge has spoken once again to General Khanh on this subject and has been once again assured that Khanh will give it urgent attention.

3. Enlistment of General Minh.

Lodge has talked with both Khanh and Minh about getting Minh more actively involved in support of the current government. Lodge seems to be fully convinced of the need for this and has pursued it with imagination and vigor.

4. Support from Civilian Groups.

We have sent our Regional Buddhist Advisor, Mr. Gard, from Hong Kong to Saigon to assist in obtaining Buddhist support for the regime. We are bringing Mr. Buu, head of the Trade Union Movement, here to the United States and we hope to be able to provide him with certain material incentives such as fertilizer to be distributed through his rural organizations. We have assigned two officers from the Embassy to conduct regular contact with the local French community in order to develop ways in which they can be better enlisted behind the Government.

5. Psychological Warfare.

Carl Rowan has agreed with our suggestions that we send Ambassador Lodge a copy of his memorandum to the President³ on the deficiencies in the Psychological Warfare effort. Carl is also preparing a more detailed recommendation on this matter. In the meantime, we have used MAP funds from the Department of Defense to purchase a new 50 kw. transmitter to be located in Viet Nam for Voice of America broadcasts to the North. The negotiator for this installation left for Saigon yesterday. We sent his instructions to the Post last evening.

6. Expulsion of Undesirable Characters.

This is one on which we are having to move cautiously. However, there are at least two members of the USOM whom we are going to have removed in the near future. One has been a constant source of bellyaches to the press and has been an irritant inside US Mission operations. There is also a Defense Department team in Saigon now investigating certain reports concerning problems in one element of our military establishment.

7. Promotions for US Civilians.

We have begun discussions with the personnel people to determine the procedures for carrying out these on-the-spot promotions.

8. Money.

The draft Presidential telegram which you cleared has now also been cleared by Secretary McNamara, Dave Bell and Carl Rowan.⁴ It has been sent to the White House this evening.

9. Special Services.

The Defense Department is looking into the possibility of providing additional services to its more remote units in Viet Nam. In the meantime, USIA is investigating the availability of current American entertainment films to be shipped in on a regular basis for Lodge to use at his own discretion within the American community.

B. Actions presenting policy problems:

1. Provincial Programs.

This matter is touched upon in some detail in the draft telegram from the President. If Lodge answers in a positive vein the message which you sent on the subject of the Pacification Committee, we can follow up further in that series. This will require continued attention by State and AID.

2. U.S. Naval Presence.

The Pentagon has been in touch with CINCPAC, and Admiral Felt, who has been here in Washington for the last two days, has been consulted. The Department of Defense members of the Coordinating Committee will have a memorandum in a few days giving the JCS views on what could be done with respect to a naval presence without handicapping the general readiness posture in the area.

3. Junk Operations North of the Demarcation Line.

This, too, is being discussed in the Pentagon and a similar memorandum will be prepared. There is some reluctance to undertake operations which would pit Swatow boats against Nasty crafts. The Swatows are more heavily armed.

4. Improved Intelligence in Laos and Cambodia.

Alex Johnson will discuss this whole matter in the Special Group 5412.

5. Canadian Contacts with Hanoi.

In coordination with EUR, we are preparing for you a talking paper⁵ to be used with Mike Pearson when you meet with him on April 30.⁶

6. Economic Interdiction of North Viet Nam.

We have prepared for your signature a letter to the Secretary of Treasury asking that foreign assets control be applied against North Viet Nam.⁷ We will undertake more extensive discussions within the Department to determine how best to have the same sort of action undertaken by other friendly countries. We have already approached the Japanese with a brief message and have spoken to the British concerning their shipping. Our intelligence estimates indicate that the problem is a very limited one, with most ships of the Free World arriving at North Vietnamese ports in ballast. Cargo carried out of North Viet Nam consists almost entirely of anthracite coal.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret. Drafted by Sullivan. A note on the source text indicates that Secretary Rusk saw the memorandum.
2. For Rusk’s recommendations, see Document 124.
3. Document 122.
4. Apparent reference to Document 129.
5. Not found.
6. See Document 134.
7. The draft letter as approved by McGeorge Bundy is in the Johnson Library, National Security File, Vietnam Country File, Vol. VII, Cables and Memos.