Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume II, Vietnam, January–June 1965

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

Washington, February 14, 1965, 6:08 p.m.

1724. Ref A—Deptel 1718.² Ref B—Embtel 2583.³

1. Your proposed procedure Ref B approved. Stress avoiding leaks in strongest manner.

2. Do not discuss text Presidential announcement or even fact such announcement contemplated. Most you should say is that we expect to make joint policy public in some manner probably following next operation.

3. You may state all strikes would be jointly planned and agreed. Avoid question of reciprocal veto if possible but if necessary make clear USG will retain veto including question when to move north of the 18th Parallel.

4. As to coordination of diplomatic actions you should avoid getting into position that GVN would have veto our actions. If absolutely necessary, you could point out we have basic responsibility holding off international negotiating pressures and will have to be best judges of how do this, consulting fully with them whenever possible, and hoping for full joint participation.

5. Re last sentence fourth para Ref B, slightly prefer formulation in sub-para b Ref A but effect appears to us exactly same.

6. While we agree climax may be approaching in next few months, hope you can continue stress vital importance maximum pacification effort under best possible government. Hard slugging is ahead in SVN no matter what we do outside and degree of progress made could have decisive impact on Hanoi willingness accept our basic objectives. In effect, progress in SVN is just as much part of total pressures on Hanoi, if not more, than proposed action program.

Ball

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Flash; Nodis. Drafted by William Bundy, cleared by McGeorge Bundy, and approved by Ball.
2. Document 115.
3. Document 116.