Office of the Historian

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

Washington, August 7, 1966, 1:57 p.m.

23355. Literally eyes only for Lodge from Rusk. I was most interested in your 2818,2 especially beginning with paragraph four. You should know that we have had some intimation about Thoʼs attitude from an interested Viet Cong source in Europe. Some recent public discussion in Hanoi reflects concern about the solidarity of some of their comrades in the South.

A defection by some of the key Liberation Front leaders could be worth many battalions to us and could greatly stimulate Chieu Hoi among rank and file. Iʼm sure you know that funds in any amount will be provided if silver bullets will help.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted and approved by Rusk.↩
  2. Document 204.↩