256. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson 1
Washington,
October 3, 1966, 2:35 p.m.
Mr. President:
We want these results from the Philippines conference:
- 1.
- A reaffirmation of the commitment among the fighting allies to see it through to an honorable peace.
- 2.
- An agreed position among the fighting allies and Saigon on the terms on which peace will be sought.
- 3.
- An approach by the Saigon government, backed by the fighting allies, to those now fighting with the VC, including perhaps an amnesty offer, which would be beyond the appeal made in the Honolulu declaration by the Vietnamese government.
- 4.
- Increased emphasis by Saigon, backed by the fighting allies, on pacification, land reform, planning for long-term economic development (including future use of our bases), education, health, agriculture, etc.
- 5.
- If possible, an agreed statement of support for Cambodian territorial integrity and independence.
- 6.
- Support from all the governments for Asian regional economic development without creating or appearing to create a new Asian grouping made up of the fighting allies.
In general, we want the government in Saigon to recommit itself to its allies and to the world to getting on with the Honolulu program, where much progress has been made, including the commitment to go forward in next steps towards constitutional government.
W.W.
Rostow
2