214. Notes of Meeting1
[Here follows discussion unrelated to Cambodia.]
Secretary McNamara said two cables came in from General Westmoreland concerning possible campaigns in Laos and Cambodia.2
General Wheeler said that there are 5,000 troops and supplies in the Tri-Border area. There are three regiments and bridges which are important to the resupply of the enemy operating out of Cambodia. The first North Vietnamese division withdrew. Its headquarters is a mile from the border and 15 miles from Dakto.
General Wheeler said the enemy is not to go in. They are refitting and replenishing their manpower.
We propose the use of B–52s and tactical aircraft for 72 hours. The B–52s could operate at night.
General Wheeler said that General Westmoreland discussed this operation with Ambassador Bunker. Ambassador Bunker concurs.
General Wheeler pointed out that there is no question that all of this is in Cambodia.
“We have known for two years that these people have been there.”
Secretary McNamara said this action raises very serious political problems which outweigh the military gains. Secretary Rusk said he [Page 471] would draw a distinction between operations in Laos and operations in Cambodia. He said he would also draw a distinction between full-scale operations and a raid.
Secretary Rusk said that if we hit the enemy in Cambodia and possibly kill Cambodian personnel, this may give them reasons to commit their forces against us.
Secretary McNamara said that the President could veto a “stop the bombing” resolution in the United Nations because of world and domestic reaction. The Secretary said the action against Cambodia would destroy us in the U.N.
In addition, the Secretary said that the U.S. cannot run B–52s around the clock without public knowledge of that.
Dick Helms said he would like to look at this before making a recommendation. Secretary Rusk asked if U.S. forces were going on with night and day raids against infiltration routes used by the regiment which is being brought into South Vietnam.
General Wheeler said yes, to the best of our ability. General Wheeler said the proposal was to use a South Vietnamese Airborne Brigade in area 607 to destroy troops and ammunition. He said it is occupied by supply centers and troops. He said the raid would take three days and would involve 1,500 to 1,600 South Vietnamese troops along with about 30 U.S. advisors.
Secretary McNamara said the Laos situation is different. He said the border is ill-defined. He said the chances of getting caught are much different.
Secretary Rusk said there is not a fraction of as much a problem in Laos as there is in Cambodia.
Secretary McNamara said he recommended going ahead with the Laos operation. Secretary Rusk agreed.
The President approved.
- Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnsonʼs Notes of Meetings. No classification marking. The meeting was held in the living quarters of the White House. Attending were President Johnson, Vice President Humphrey, McNamara, Rusk, Vance, Helms, Rostow, George Christian, and Tom Johnson.↩
- For the cable on Cambodia, see Document 213.↩