Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume I, Vietnam, 1961

176. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam¹

Washington, October 18, 1961, 9:27 p.m.

451. Ref: Deptel 192.² Joint State-Defense message.

1. In view factors involved in obvious breach of Geneva Accords, no firm date on introduction jets into Viet-Nam has yet been set. Any decision not to conform Accords as they pertain to jet aircraft will be made as political situation dictates at such time and to such degree as will best advance US interests. Nevertheless concur training should start now thereby enabling GVN accept jets when and if actual delivery is approved.

2. You are therefore authorized inform GVN of US offer to provide training in US to begin FY 62 for jet pilots and technicians in numbers required to operate six T-33’s.

3. In discussions required for this purpose with GVN officials it should be made clear that:

(1) No public announcement be made of possible future delivery of jet aircraft pending final resolution US-GVN position on continued observance of Articles 16 and 17 Geneva Accords.

(2) That any decision to provide jets or other weapons must be made in light GVN need and ability to use them at the time. Item of most importance at present is adequate capacity of GVN to prosecute the counter-insurgency plan and to handle the immediate problem of Communist advances. Timing of jet delivery will be made in context of this capacity and eventual decision regarding Geneva Accords.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/10-1861. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Wood, cleared with Anderson (SEA) and Defense, initialed by Wood for the Secretary, and repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.
2. Telegram 192, August 15, notified the Embassy in Saigon that the question of the introduction of jets into Viet-Nam was still under study in Washington and that the Embassy would be informed when a decision was made. (Ibid., 751K.5-MSP/ 8-861)