14. Telegram From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson at Camp David1
Washington, September 15, 1968,
1517Z.
CAP 82396. The telephonic flash report of the Paris private meeting this morning is obscure. They found it hard to summarize on the phone. Their written report should arrive about noon and will be forwarded.2
- —Meeting took 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- —Harriman presented the points he indicated to us he would make,3 and there was discussion.
- —The other side used some “nuanced language” which “interested” our delegation.
- —They remain “not discouraged, not encouraged; but interested.”
- —Firm agreement to meet again on Friday4—with probably not much to be expected from Wednesday tea break.5
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, HARVAN Misc. & Memos, Vol. VI, 8/68-9/68. Secret; Sensitive; Literally Eyes Only. Received at 11:35 a.m. The notation “ps” on the telegram indicates that the President saw it. The President was at the Presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, September 14-16. (Ibid., President’s Daily Diary)↩
- The written report was transmitted in flash telegram 20872/Delto 732 from Paris, September 15. A full report of the meeting was transmitted in telegram 20873/Delto 733 from Paris, September 15. (Both ibid., National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, HARVAN Paris Todel—Paris Delto XIII [2 of 2])↩
- In telegram 20861/Delto 731 from Paris, September 13, Harriman indicated that he would bring up mutual withdrawal, the circumstances necessary to stop the bombing completely, and the “our side-your side” formula for participation. (Ibid.)↩
- September 20; see Document 24.↩
- Nothing substantive was discussed during the tea break at the 22d formal session at the Majestic Hotel on September 18. A report on the session was transmitted in telegram 21015/Delto 745 from Paris, September 18. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, A/IM Files: Lot 93 D 82, HARVAN-(Incoming)-September 1968)↩