Office of the Historian

333. Memorandum of Conversation1

Manila, October 23, 1966, 8:15–8:35 p.m.

PARTICIPANTS

  • The President
  • Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn (Thailand)

MEMBERS OF PARTY

  • Foreign Minister Thanat Khoman; Chief of Staff of Armed Services Marshal Dawee; Minister of National Development Pote Sarasin; Lt. General Sawaeng, Secretary General of Government House

After an exchange of pleasantries, including the Presidentʼs recalling his trip to Thailand in 1961 and thanks to the Thais for their sturdy support, the President presented his view of the conference.2 It is neither a war council nor a peace council. We are anxious to have a peace conference as soon as possible (Thanom agreed); but we also wish Hanoi to [Page 738] know that we will stay as long as necessary and do everything necessary to defeat the aggression.

We should like the world to know that the nations nearest to the aggression are most concerned and most willing to make the sacrifices necessary.

It is bad for the people of the U.S. and the world to get the impression that this is a U.S. war.

It is also important that the world know that there is an Asia; there are serious problems in Asia; there are leaders prepared to face up to them; and the U.S. wishes to help those leaders, not to dominate them; a road of many miles is ahead, but we wish to begin here. (Thanom interjected: I agree; that is why I am here.)

The President then thanked the Thai Government—which, along with the Government of South Korea and the Philippines, had the wisdom to suggest that we all come together here in Manila.

The Communists and the press will be seeking to divide us. We must avoid leaks. We must present a solid front; and in unity there is strength.

Thanom fully agreed. We must let the Communists know we are together. The Thai delegation will do everything to let them know. And we must carry forward programs that would give happiness to the people.

The President then referred to the decision on Thai MAP aid. Thanom said that he had been informed Saturday3 by Ambassador Martin. He wished to express his deep gratitude to the President. The President said that Secretary Rusk was also to be thanked; and he spoke in the very highest terms of his reliance on Secretary Rusk and his judgment. Referring obliquely to Thai MAP aid he said, in fact, that only Secretary Rusk could override him, and urged the Foreign Minister to stay close to Secretary Rusk.

Summarizing, the President said that from his point of view the purpose of conference was to prove to the world: there is an Asia; there are urgent problems, but also men willing to face up to them; we are willing to negotiate—to substitute reason for rancor—but we shall stay until the two are ready.

The interview ended with a statement of appreciation by Thanom and gratitude for the Presidentʼs commitment to stay the course until Asians are assured that they can remain free.

  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, International Meetings and Travel File, 7-Nation, POTUS, II, A. Secret. No drafting information appears on the source text. According to the Presidentʼs Daily Diary, the meeting began at 8:12 and Johnsonʼs next meeting with Vietnamese leaders was at 9:05 p.m. (Ibid.) President Johnson left Washington on October 17 to visit six countries in East Asia and the Pacific and to attend the Conference in Manila on Vietnam October 24–25. Johnson stopped at Honolulu, Hawaii, October 17–19; visited New Zealand October 19–20; Australia October 20–23; arrived in Manila on October 23 and remained in the Philippines until October 27 when he traveled to Thailand where he stayed until October 30. The President then traveled to Malaysia, October 30–31, South Korea, October 31–November 2, returning to Washington via Alaska on November 2.↩
  2. Regarding the discussions at Manila on Vietnam, see Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. IV, Documents 280 and 281.↩
  3. October 22.↩