Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume III, Vietnam, June–December 1965

86. Memorandum From Gordon Chase of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)¹

Washington, July 26, 1965.

SUBJECT

• Vietnam and the UN

Here is some information which you may not have.

1. Bill Buffum tells me that, over the weekend, the President talked to Joe Sisco a couple times about the desirability of asking for a Security Council session on Vietnam to accompany the forthcoming Vietnam announcements.

2. Joe, expounding the State Department view, thought that it would not be a good thing to have a Security Council session at this time; there would inevitably be a debate which would lead to such things as recommendations for a cessation of bombing and recommendations for including the Viet Cong in any negotiations as an equal negotiating party. Joe went on to suggest that we hold off on a Security Council meeting and possibly have one at a later date.

3. As I understand it, the President bought the State Department view.

GC

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXVII. Top Secret.