Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume IV, Vietnam, August–December 1963

133. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Bundy) to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)¹

Washington, September 19, 1963.

Here is a first crack at draft instructions.² In my talk to Mac, he expressed the fear that Dean Rusk will be very sensitive to any statements that appear to make you responsible for recommending a change in policy or getting deeply into political matters. Hence, I have tried to couch this in the most diplomatic possible language while at the same time making clear that you can inquire in any area whatever. In particular, note the language about “refining” our present policy.³

Checking this against General Krulak’s first draft⁴ to General Taylor, I see that my draft does not include a reaffirmation of our basic resolve to see the war through. This could well be added as an initial sub-paragraph for what you would say to Diem, but should be accompanied by reference to the President’s announced position of assisting those actions which will further the anti-Communist effort, while at the same time discouraging and refusing support to those actions that do not.

I understand that you are meeting with the President and Dean Rusk this afternoon.⁵ So far I have only talked to Mac on the phone, but will be working with him just as soon as we can get together. For your information, he may bring up the suggestion that State be represented not by Walt Rostow but by Marshall Green, Hilsman’s new deputy. Green is a very old friend of both Mac and myself and is a particularly good observer, unscarred by emotions. In many ways, I would consider him preferable to Walt, and it may well be that he would also sit better with Dean Rusk.

W.P. Bundy⁶

1. Source: Department of State, William R Bundy Papers, Chron (ISA) 1963. Top Secret.
2. Attached to the source text, but not printed. For the instructions as approved, see Document 142.
3. Reference is to a sentence in the Bundy draft in the last paragraph which reads: “The principal objective of your mission is to obtain information that will assist me in further refining our present policy and in directing the necessary actions to make it effective, to be carried out in a concerted fashion by US representatives in the field under Ambassador Lodge, as well as through Washington agencies concerned.”
4. Not found.
5. Rusk and McNamara met alone with the President from 4 to 4:45 p.m., September 19, in an “off-the-record meeting.” No account of this meeting has been found. (Kennedy Library, President’s Log Book)
6. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.