Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIV, Laos Crisis

259. Memorandum From the President’s Military Representative (Taylor) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)⁰

Washington, January 5, 1962.

In the course of the meeting today of the 5412 Special Group, we discussed the items of business which should be taken up at the 9:30 meeting tomorrow on Laos.¹ They appear to be the following:

a. A presentation by State of the alternatives facing us in Laos:

(1) “Persuade” Phoumi to play ball by the technique suggested in the 5412 paper which you have seen.²

(2) Get rid of Phoumi.

(3) Desist in our efforts to form a Souvanna Phouma government.

b. An estimate by CIA of the probable enemy reaction to a break-off in negotiations.

c. A JCS estimate of the increased military capabilities of the Royal Laotian Army supported by indigenous tribesmen.

You may want to work up a formal agenda based upon the foregoing.

M.D.T.³

Attached hereto is a round-up made by Lt. Commander Bagley of activities going on today at State and Defense.⁴

0. Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, Laos-SEATO 62, T–641–71H. Secret.
1. This and Document 260 are the only records found relating to the January 6 meeting of the 5412 Special Group.
2. Document 260.
3. Printed from a copy that bears these typed initials.
4. Document 258.