January 31, 1965 to December 1967: Demise of the Rightists; Controversy Over Interdiction Strategies; Souvanna’s Visits to the United States
312. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Visit of Souvanna Phouma, 10/20–21/67. Secret. Drafted by Toumayan and Slutz. A note on a copy of this memorandum in the Department of State indicates that it was approved by Walt Rostow on October 27. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S)
313. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Visit of Souvanna Phouma, 10/20–21/67. Top Secret; Exclusive Distribution. Drafted by Toumayan and Slutz.
314. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 LAOS. Secret. Drafted by Toumayan and Slutz and approved in S on November 5. The meeting was held at Blair House. The time of the end of the meeting is from Rusk’s Appointment Book. (Johnson Library) Prior to this meeting Vice President Humphrey met Souvanna at 11 a.m. at Blair House. Souvanna and Humphrey discussed bombing policy against North Vietnam and rice production in Laos. (Memorandum of conversation, October 21; Department of State, Central Files, POL LAOS–US)
315. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Laos
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis; No Distribution Outside Department. Drafted by Richard C. Holbrooke (U), cleared by William Bundy, and approved by Katzenbach.
317. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 5 EE (1) Laos, 10/67–12/68. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates it was for use at a luncheon meeting on November 28. The President met with Rusk, McNamara, Rostow, and Christian for lunch at 1 p.m. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Book) No other record of this meeting has been found.
318. Memorandum of Meeting With President Johnson
Source: Johnson Library, Tom Johnson’s Notes of Meetings, 11/29/67. Top Secret. The meeting was held at the White House.
319. Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)
Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, Message Files, COMUSMACV, 1 Nov-30 Nov 1967. Top Secret. Also sent to Sharp and repeated to Sullivan.
320. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC, CINCSAC, and COMUSMACV.
321. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared by the Directorate of Intelligence of the Central Intelligence Agency
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 72 A 2468, Laos (Laos 385.1), 1967. A note on the source text indicates that McNamara saw it on December 4.
322. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 LAOS. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Moscow, Saigon, COMUSMACV, and CINCPAC.
323. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 72 A 2468, Laos (Laos 385.1), 1967. Secret.
324. Telegram From the Embassy in Laos to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Bangkok, Saigon, CINCPAC,CINCSAC, and COMUSMACV.
325. Telegram From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson in Texas
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. XVII, 2/67–12/67. Secret. A note on the source text indicates it was received at the LBJ Ranch at 6:35 p.m. This report was drafted by the Central Intelligence Agency and sent to the White House as report No. 1688. (Ibid., Vietnam, 5 EE (1) Laos 10/67–12/68)