MEMORANDUM TO: THE SECRETARY OF STATE [AND OTHERS] FROM MCGEORGE BUNDY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000100120003-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 3, 2002
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: November 26, 1963
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Releas O03/02/27 : CIA-RDP80B01676R000100120003-7
low
TOP SECRET
NSC REFERRAL NOT REQUIRED
November 26, 1963
25X1
TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
The Administrator, AID
The Director, USIA
The President has reviewed the discussions of South Vietnam which
occurred in Honolulu, and has discussed the matter further with
Ambassador Lodge. He directs that the following guidance be issued
to all concerned.:
1. It remains the central object of the United States in South
Vietnam to assist the people and Government of that country to win
their contest against the externally directed and supported Communist
conspiracy. The test of all U. S. decisions and actions in this area
should be the effectiveness of their contribution to this purpose.
2. The objectives of the United States with respect to the withdrawal
of U. S. military personnel remain as stated in the White House state-
ment of October 2, 1963.
3. It is a major interest of the United States Government that the
present provisional government o' South Vietnam should be assisted
in consolidating itself and in holding and developing increased public
support. All U. S. officers should conduct themselves with this
objective in view.
4. The President expects that all senior officers of the Government
will move energetically to insure the full unity of support for established
U. S. policy in South Vietnam. Both in Washington and in the field, it
is essential that the Government be unified. It is of particular importance
that express or implied criticism of officers of other branches be
scrupulously avoided in all contacts with the Vietnamese Government
and with the press. "-)re specifically, the President approves the
following lines of action developed in the discussions of the Honolulu
meeting of November 20. The offices of the Government to which
central responsi'Dility is assigned are indicated in each case.
Ap roy-esi-For_Relea 20g31D2!?f7-
(page 1, of 3 pages)
 Approved For Release"rD03/02/27 : CIA RDP80BQI676R000100120003-7
T
-L- November 26, 1963
5. We should concentrate our own efforts, and insofar as possible
we should persuade the Government of South Vietnam to concentrate
its efforts, on the critical situation in the Mekong Delta. This concentra-
tion should include not only military but political, economic, social,
educational and informational effort. We should seek to turn the tide
not only of battle but of belief, and we should seek to increase riot only
the control of hamlets but the productivity of this area, especially where
the proceeds can be held for the advantage of anti-Communist forces.
(Action: The whole country team under the direct supervision of
the Ambassador. )
6. Programs of military and economic assistance should be
maintained at such levels that their magnitude and effectiveness in the
eyes of the Vietnamese Government do not fall below the levels sustained
by the United States in the time of the Diem Government. This does not
exclude arrangements for economy on the MAP account with respect to
accounting for ammunition, or any other readjustments which are
possible as between MAP and other U. S. defense resources. Special
attention should be given to the expansion of the import, distribution,
and effective use of fertilizer for the Delta.
(Action: AID and DOD as appropriate.)
7. Planning should include different levels of possible increased
activity, and in each instance there should be estimates of such factors as:
A. Resulting damage to North Vietnam;
B. The plausibility of denial;
C. Possible North Vietnamese retaliation;
D. Other international reaction.
Plans should be submitted promptly for approval by higher authority.
(Action: State, DOD, and CIA.)
8. With respect to Laos, a plan should be developed and submitted
for approval by higher authority for military operations up to a line
up to 50 kilometers inside Laos, together with political plans for
minimizing the international hazards of such an enterprise. Since it
is agreed that operational responsibility for such undertakings should
Approved For RPlease'2003 02/~ 4 CIA' _'UB 1676 000 0120M-7-"
(page 2 of 3 pages)
 ? Approved For ReleaSW2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP80B01676R000100120003-7
November 26, 1963
pass froro MACV, this plan should include a redefined
method of political guidance for such operations, since their timing
and character can have an intimate relation to the fluctuating
situation in Laos.
(Action: State, DOD, and CIA,)
9. It was agreed in Honolulu that the situation in Cambodia is
of the first importance for South Vietnam, and it is therefore urgent
that we should lose no opportunity to exercise a favorable influence
upon that country. In particular a plan should be developed using
all available evidence and methods of persuasion for showing the
Cambodians that the recent charges against us are groundless.
(Action: State. )
10. In connection with paragraphs 7 and 8 above, it is desired
that we should develop as strong and persuasive a case as possible
to demonstrate to the world the degree to which the Viet Cong is
controlled, sustained and supplied from Hanoi, through Laos and
other channels. In short, we need a more contemporary version
of the Jorden Report, as powerful and complete as possible.
(Action: Department of State with other agencies as necessary.)
McGeorge Bundy
Approved-For Release 200310212.7
(page 3 of 3 pages)
76R000100,120003-7 - = -
 TOP SECRET
SERET~AM igod"olP~o>Md ~OOvt~matically downgraded
CONTROL AND COVER SHEET FOR TOP SECRET DOCUMENT
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
REGISTRY
SOURCE 1
CIA CONTROL NO. J
DOC. NO.
DATE DOCUMENT RECEIVED
DOC. DATE ,' .3
COPY NO.
__________________-_____________
LOGGED BY
NUMBER OF PAGES
NUMBER OF ATTACHMENTS
ATTENTION: This form will be placed on top of and attached to each Top Secret document received by the Central Intelligence Agency
or classified Top Secret within the ,CIA and will remain attached to the document until such time as it is downgraded, destroyed, or
transmitted outside of CIA. Access to Top Secret matter is limited to Top Secret Control personnel and those individuals whose official
duties relate to the matter. Top Secret Control Officers who receive and/or release the attached Top Secret material will sign this form
and indicate period of custody in the left-hand columns provided. Each individual who sees the Top Secret document will sign and
indicate the date of handling in the right-hand columns.
REFERRED TO
RECEIVED
RELEASED
SEEN BY
OFFICE
SIGNATURE
DATE
TIME
DATE
TIME
SIGNATURE
OFFICE/DIV.
DATE
29,E
2dE
NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: When this form is detached from Top Secret material it shall be completed in the appropriate spaces below
and transmitted to Central Top Secret Control for record.
DOWNGRADED
DESTROYED
DISPATCHED (OUTSIDE CIA)
TO
BY (Signature)
TO
BY (Signature)
WITNESSED BY (Signature)
BY (Signature)
OFFICE DATE
Approve For Release
OFFICE
2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP
DATE
OB01676R00
OFFICE
100120003-7
DATE
FORM nC USE PREVIOUS EDITIONS.
9-60 L V
TOP SECRET (40)
 Approved For Release 2003/02/27: CIA-RDP80B01676R000100120003-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
EXECUTIVE MEMORANDUM
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
TO:
ROOM NO.
Director (Plans) -
ut
De
-"?
y
p
,
Director (Intelligence)
ut
De
7
y
p
Director (Science & Technology)
De
ut
p
y
treller
Gem
p
1 -speeFew
-
Gene,
- l
Assistant Director for National Estimates
This memorandum contains information for the addressees. Ad-
dressees may give this memorandum additional circulation within
their components as required. All copies should be destroyed, not
filed, upon completion of circulation. A master file will be kept in
the Executive Director's Office and will be available upon request.
Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP80BO1676R000100
e ron,otk
downgrading and
dedoaif.,oIian