440. Memorandum From the President to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense (McNamara), and the Director of Central Intelligence (McCone)1
I have approved the attached paper (Tab 1)2 on policy toward Southeast Asia as guidance for our work in this field in coming months, subject to such amendment and further development as I may approve from time to time. I have also approved the attached instructions (Tab 2)3 to Ambassador Taylor for his use on his return to South Vietnam. Taken together, these documents state my present position.
I consider it a matter of the highest importance that the substance of this position should not become public except as I specifically direct.
In discussions of relevant parts of these matters with foreign governments, I expect that every effort will be made to impress upon our foreign friends the importance of discretion, but I recognize that we cannot control what foreign governments say.
In the case of American officials the matter is different. The officers to whom this memorandum is directed are requested to take personal responsibility for the supervision of the execution of this policy and for insuring that knowledge of all parts of it within the Executive Branch is confined as narrowly as possible to those who have an immediate working need to know.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Aides File, McGeorge Bundy, Memos to the President. Top Secret. Also published in Declassified Documents, 1978, 1 30B.↩
- Document 433.↩
- Document 435.↩