Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume IV, Vietnam, 1966

139. List Prepared by the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Rostow)¹

Washington, May 15, 1966.

MEETING ON VIET NAM, MAY 15, 1966

Action Items

1. Do everything possible to discourage any move against DaNang by the dissidents.

2. Minimal comment on situation by U.S., here and in Saigon.

3. Encourage all Vietnamese elements to settle differences without resort to force.

4. Do what is possible to keep Tri Quang in main stream of political development.

5. Work toward bringing Thi and others into the GVN fold.

6. Get out press guidance (draft approved with minor modifications).

7. Convey our thinking to Tri Quang;² no Presidential message.

8. Play it cool!

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, vol. LIII. Secret. The source text is handwritten. The Presidentʼs Daily Diary indicates that at 2:35 p.m. on May 15 he met in his office “re recent developments in Danang” with Rusk, McNamara, Lodge, William Bundy, U. Alexis Johnson, Unger, Habib, Raborn, Helms, Taylor, Rostow, Komer, and Jorden. The meeting ended no later than 3:02 p.m., when the President went to the Mansion in the White House. (Ibid.)
2. Responding to a message from Tri Quang contained in telegram 4610 from Saigon, May 15, the Department proposed in telegram 3453 to Saigon, May 15, that Tri Quang be told orally that the U.S. Government fully supported the elections for a Constitutional Assembly announced in mid-April and would use its influence to establish unity in South Vietnam and persuade all groups to resolve their difficulties. (Ibid., National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, vol. LIII)