73. Memorandum From the Naval Aide of the Presidentʼs Military Representative (Bagley) to the Presidentʼs Military Representative (Taylor)1
As a follow-up to the recent poor press in Saigon and the moratorium on U.S. newsmen riding in U.S. aircraft,2 State approached the President Saturday, 17 February, to pin down a future policy.
The State proposal gives Ambassador Nolting authority to decide on press participation in U.S. air operations on a case-by-case basis. He will be governed by the policy to emphasize the U.S. support function and the SVN primacy in winning the war. Military and other advice will be rendered through the Country Team.
The State position was developed with the positive interest of Secretary Ball and Secretary Johnson, but was not concurred in by Governor Harriman.3 It was presented to the President by Mr. Rowan.
The President agreed, though apparently grudgingly. It was decided that the approved directive, cleared by Defense, would be discussed in Honolulu with Ambassador Nolting by Secretary McNamara and Governor Harriman. If the Ambassador concurs, the more liberal policy would be confirmed by subsequent State telegram.4
- Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-133-69. Confidential.↩
- See Document 48.↩
- See footnote 1, Document 59.↩
- Document 75.↩