18. Editorial Note
At the invitation of President Johnson, Prime Minister Holt returned through Washington on his way home from London. Holt and Johnson met at 5:32 p.m. in the Oval Office with Secretary Rusk, Assistant Secretary William Bundy, Special Assistant Walt Rostow, Chief of Protocol James Symington, Secretary of the Prime Ministerʼs Department Sir John Bunting, and Australian Ambassador John Keith Waller. According to the Presidentʼs Daily Diary, the group reviewed Holtʼs trip to London and prospects in Vietnam and Asia. Holt then joined the President and Rusk for a walk around the White House flower garden. The President and Holt returned to the Oval Office at 5:52 p.m. where they stayed until they left for Anacostia pier at 6:52 p.m. for a trip with European Ambassadors on board the Sequoia. (Johnson Library) The Department of State prepared a briefing paper for the second Holt visit with suggested talking points for the President. (Memorandum from William Bundy to Rusk, July 13; Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 AUSTL) A copy of the joint communiqué issued at the end of the Holt visit, July 14, is printed in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1966, pages 639–640.