102. Editorial Note

On August 1, 1965, Yugoslav President Tito and Indian Prime Minister Shastri issued a joint communique calling for a suspension of U.S. bombing of North Vietnam, while a conference of interested parties attempted to resolve the Vietnam conflict on the basis of the 1954 Geneva Agreements. (The New York Times, August 2, 1965) Ambassador Harriman had met with President Tito at his summer retreat on the island of Vanga on July 31 and discussed this proposal. Tito indicated that he believed that North Vietnam was prepared to negotiate, and added that he and Shastri would be consulting with other non-aligned countries concerning the initiative. Tito felt that with a return to the 1954 Geneva Agreements, South Vietnam could emerge as an independent, democratic republic which would serve as a buffer against Chinese expansion in the area. (Telegram 479 from London, August 1; Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Harriman Talks on Vietnam, July and August 1965)