38. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson1
This afternoon you asked for my advice regarding further action in Laos.
I believe we should accept Bill Bundy’s recommendations and continue to endeavor to force the junta leaders into support of a government [Page 70] formed in accordance with the Geneva Accords. To do otherwise would not only be a violation of an agreement to which we are a party, but might very well lead to a situation in which we face the loss of Laos to the Communists, or alternatively the introduction of U.S. ground combat forces into that country.
It seems quite clear the Pathet Lao will refuse to accept a government which either excludes or substantially reduces the influence of their representatives. If such a government is formed, almost certainly the Pathet Lao would move against it militarily. We know they have the military power to substantially expand the territory under their control.
I see only two ways to prevent an expansion of the influence of the Pathet Lao in Laos: either we must support the Geneva Accords or we must be prepared to introduce U.S. forces into that country. Of the two I much prefer the first. This requires that we apply pressure on the junta leaders to support Souvanna Phouma as Premier and to accept the continued presence of the Pathet Lao in the government.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Laos, Vol. II, Memos, 4/16/64–4/30/64. Top Secret.↩