204. Telegram From the United States Delegation at Hakone to the Department of State1

Secto 6. Since General Taylor may give first full report prior my return, believe special attention should be given to critical question whether Diem is prepared take necessary measures to give us something worth supporting. If Diem unwilling trust military commanders to get job done and take steps to consolidate non-Communist elements into serious national effort, difficult to see how relative handful American troops can have decisive influence. While attaching greatest possible importance to security in Southeast Asia, I would be reluctant see US make major additional commitment American prestige to a losing horse. Suggest Department carefully review all measures we expect from Diem if our assistance forces us to assume de facto direction Vietnamese affairs.2

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-161. Secret; Limit Distribution. Another copy of the telegram indicates that Rusk was the sole drafter. (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 65 D 366, CF 1984) Printed also in Pentagon Papers: Gravel Edition, vol. II, p. 105. The Secretary was in Hakone, along with other Cabinet members, to take part in the first meeting of the Joint U.S.-Japan Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs, November 2-4.
  2. The following draft handwritten reply is written at the bottom of the source text: “Dept will make suggested review as precondition committing US troops to Vietnam. CBW UAJ.”