Office of the Historian

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

Washington, November 12, 1961, 7:31 p.m.

587. Eyes only for Ambassador. Embtel 635.2 While I recognize cogency of arguments you have advanced for immediate brief period consultation Washington, believe that we cannot afford inevitable delay in implementation action program based on Taylor Report (forthcoming Deptel) which would result from your absence from your post at this time. I feel that you should personally and immediately conduct complex and delicate negotiations with Diem which are condition precedent for launching of this ambitious program on which so much hinges. We estimate that trip you suggest would result in delay of two weeks in getting this effort under way. Such a delay unacceptable when time crucial factor.

“1. I believe I can help mold plan which will fit here; in any event I should see and discuss details of what’s being developed before it is finalized;

“2. It would be most valuable-from standpoint of correct understanding of Washington intentions and of Embassy and Task Force authority in executing U.S. plans-if I could personally bring back President’s decision. (Standing of those on spot here was inevitably diminished-to the benefit, I hope and believe, of the cause-by Mission sent from Washington under its expressed terms of reference and attendant publicity.)” (Ibid.)

We regret now that you were not instructed to come to Washington for consultation when General Taylor returned. Since this was not done, we have no choice but to postpone any Washington consultation for present.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1361. Secret; Priority; Eyes Only. Drafted by McConaughy, cleared in draft with Johnson (G) and the Secretary, and signed for the Secretary by McConaughy.↩
  2. In telegram 635, November 13 (received in the Department on November 12 at 6:08 a.m.), and sent eyes only for the Secretary, Nolting asked for permission to return to Washington for a brief period of consultation regarding Vietnam. He gave the following as the main reasons for his request:↩