8. Editorial Note
On February 26, 1964, Johnson administration officials met at the Department of State to discuss Southeast Asia and particularly Laos. Attending for the Department of State were Secretary Rusk, Under Secretary Harriman, Assistant Secretary Hilsman, Special Assistant Sullivan, Deputy Assistant Secretary Green, and Deputy Director of Intelligence and Research Denney. Secretary McNamara, Assistant Secretary [Page 21] William Bundy, General Lucius Clay, and General Rollen Anthis attended as representatives of the Department of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Director McCone and Chief of the Far Eastern Division William Colby attended for the Central Intelligence Agency. Director Rowan and Deputy Director Wilson attended for the U.S. Information Agency; and Administrator Bell and Assistant Administrator Poats attended for the Agency for International Development. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Book)
In a February 27 memorandum to Secretary Rusk, Assistant Secretary Hilsman briefly described the meeting:
“It is my impression that, at our meeting yesterday, there was general agreement upon the desirability of strengthening the overt US military posture in Thailand in ways designed to counteract the increasing trend towards speculation about US intentions in Southeast Asia and the possibility of neutralist solutions. At the time [the meeting of February 26], we could not and did not feel that the situation in Laos necessarily injected an element of urgency into our considerations.”
Hilsman stated in the February 27 memorandum to Rusk that, in light of the fall of the Phou Khe mountain complex commanding the southern approach to the Plain of Jars to Pathet Lao artillery attack on February 26, it was now time to introduce U.S. ground troops into Thailand. Hilsman urged that Rusk discuss the idea with Secretary McNamara. (Department of State, Central Files, DEF 1–1 ASIA SE)