Office of the Historian

290. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State1

Paris, August 19, 1967, 1023Z.

2089. Pennsylvania from Kissinger. Literally eyes only Secretary McNamara. Have told friends that effective August 24 there will be noticeable [Page 716] change in bombing pattern around Hanoi without giving geographic extent. Have avoided precision about time limit referring only to complex considerations to avoid impression of ultimatum. If mission succeeds, time limit is academic. If mission fails, resumption can be blamed on Hanoi’s intransigence.2

Am delaying my departure till Sunday3 noon so that I can be specific about time limit should you desire. Duty officer Embassy will know where reach me. Friends now planning to leave August 24.

I will arrive in Boston 15:35 Sunday on AF 019 and try call you at office or home.

Wallner
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–14 VIET/PENNSYLVANIA. Top Secret; Flash; Nodis. Received at 6:49 a.m. Kissinger met with his contacts once in the morning and once in the evening on August 19.↩
  2. On August 19 air strikes within a 10 nautical mile zone around Hanoi were suspended for the period August 24–September 4. The suspension was extended indefinitely on September 1.↩
  3. August 27.↩