Office of the Historian

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

Washington, October 18, 1962—8:24 p.m.

459. To Nolting from Harriman. Deptel 331, Embtel 438 and Vientianeʼs 620 repeated Saigon 173.2 I must tell you frankly that it will be diplomatic defeat if Diem severs relations with Laos.

Diem cannot expect us to accept his refusal, in affronting disregard of request from the President, to stay in the fight to preserve Laos, Laos being on his own doorstep. This is a fight which he should be helping us wage with all vigor.

Diemʼs stubbornness and personal feelings are understood, but there comes a time when being a good ally requires laying them aside and cooperating to make joint policies work. This is such a time, and you should now put the matter to Diem in such terms.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 651J.51K/10-1862. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Rice, cleared with S/S, and initialed by Harriman.↩
  2. Telegram 620, October 18, reported that the North Vietnamese Ambassador would arrive soon and present his credentials. (Ibid.) Telegram 438, October 17, stated that South Vietnam would break relations with Laos if the North Vietnamese Ambassador presented his credentials. (Ibid., 651J.51K/10-1762) Regarding telegram 331, see footnote 3, Document 292.↩