338. Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to President Kennedy0
Briefing on Laos and Vietnam1
At your briefing this morning on the above subject, State Department will be represented by Under Secretary Ball, Governor Harriman and Mr. Hilsman; Defense by Deputy Secretary Gilpatric and General Lansdale. Mr. McCone will also attend.
Laos
The cable traffic yesterday indicates that General Phoumi is shifting his position. Governor Harriman believes that this is largely due to the cumulative effects of the suspension of financial aid and the recent decision to impose a mild military sanction. This last decision was undoubtedly [Page 712] conveyed by Sarit to the RLG. I attach a cable from Young in Bangkok (Bangkok 1691)2 reporting the results of Sarit’s talks with Phoumi and the RLG Mission.
Averell takes the view that:
- (1)
- We must not restore our financial aid until a coalition government is formed (although we would not impose the mild military sanctions so long as Phoumi appears to be cooperating); and
- (2)
- We must realize that, in the light of our past experience with him, Phoumi can be expected to throw a monkey wrench into the negotiations at any stage if we are not alert.
On the question of the “assurances” from the United States referred to in Young’s cable, Averell feels we must not write any blank checks and should reserve any assurances of assistance to the new government, as distinguished from Phoumi personally.
[Here follows a briefing on Vietnam, printed in volume II, pages 369–370.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, Staff Memoranda, M.V. Forrestal, 1/62–5/62. Secret.↩
- This off-the-record briefing was from 11:35 a.m. to 12:19 p.m. According to the President’s appointment book, Desmond FitzGerald, Taylor, McGeorge Bundy, and Forrestal also attended. (Ibid., President’s Appointment Book) No other record of this briefing has been found.↩
- Document 337.↩