Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume II, Vietnam, 1962

193. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State¹

Saigon, May 16, 1962—7 p.m.

1467. Deptel 1329 and Embtel 1444.² Following his return from Bangkok, General Harkins and I have considered response to last paragraph reftel, which we read to mean whether we have additional measures to recommend in South Viet-Nam in light U.S. deployments to Thailand.³ As we see situation at this stage, we have no such additional measures to recommend. This, of course, is subject to change should later developments warrant.

GVN is not pressing for additional measures. President Diem, in talks we have had with him, indicated full agreement in strengthening U.S. forces in Thailand, but gave no indication that he desires similar action here.

Nolting

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/5-1662. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Repeated to Bangkok, Vientiane, Moscow, and CINCPAC for Polad.
2. Neither printed. (Ibid., 751K.00/5-1262 and 751K.00/5-1362, respectively)
3. For text of a statement by President Kennedy on May 15 regarding U.S. deployment of military forces to Thailand, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1962, p. 1094.