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

236. Notes of a Meeting, The White House¹

Washington, November 11, 1961, 12:10 p.m

Rusk: Reviewed situation—U.S. interests, situation now, relationship with Laos. Discussed disproportionate ratio of U.S. forces (except ROK) in Korea during Korean War, SEATO possibilities, neutral possibilities. Helicopters—discussion of each step under 3.²

P: Par. 3 items sound like Laos. Question of international character a la Phils, Thais, Aussies, etc.

Taylor: Could be useful in flood relief.

P: How can we make Diem govt more palatable?

Rostow: Flood.

P: We have a congressional prob. Sen. Russell & others are opposed.

Rusk: Line with ICC would be that enemy has broken agreement—we will return to adherence when enemy does.

P: Troops are a last resort. Should be SEATO forces. Will create a tough domestic problem. Would like to avoid statements like Laos & Berlin.

Atty Gen: Statement from P. is required in connection with Taylor mission. We are not sending combat troops. [We are] not committing ourselves to combat troops. Make it much SEATO as possible.

Secy McNamara & I made it clear that JCS and Sec Def conclude that proposed actions will not by themselves solve this problem and that further action will be required.

P: Will draft letter to Diem.

Secy State: Rec[ommended] general approval of approach.

P: Will not decide now re point 1 of the rec[ommendations]. Will it mean a war with China? Will not go that far as to approve. Approve 2, 3 & 4.

Sec Def: We will work on 2, 3, 4, & 6 without taking actions.

Taylor: Under 3 which is irrevocable we should move now.

P: I am ready to approve 3. Will not accept 1. Will go for 3. Want it to be as multilateral as possible.

Johnson: Line clearly drawn in VN-it was not in Laos.

1. Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, L-214-71. Top Secret. Handwritten by Lemnitzer. According to the notes, the meeting was attended by the President, Rusk, U. Alexis Johnson, McConaughy, Robert Kennedy, Cabell, Taylor, Rostow, McGeorge Bundy, Nitze, Lemnitzer, and McNamara. According to the President’s log book, he met on November 11 from 11:50 a.m. to noon with Taylor and Rostow and from noon to 1:55 p.m. with Rusk, McNamara, Lemnitzer, and Taylor. (Kennedy Library, JFK Log Books) No other record of this meeting has been found.
2. Reference is to the memorandum discussed in Document 234.