Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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176-10036-10082

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY : NARA

RECORD NUMBER : 176-10036-10082

RECORD SERIES : National Security Files

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

ORIGINATOR : WH

FROM : Rostow

TO : Kennedy, John F

TỊTLE : Vietnam Status Report

DATE : 11/21/1961

PAGES : 3

SUBJECTS :

DOCUMENT TYPE :

CLASSIFICATION :

RESTRICTIONS :

CURRENT STATUS :

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 9/10/2000

OPENING CRITERIA :

11/17/61-11/30/61. Box 2

COMMENTS : National Security Files, Box 195: Vietnam Memos and Reports,

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5c

SEE SANITIZED 3

VERSION

SECRET

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

November 21, 1961

FR5= 1961-63 VOLI

MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT

• FROM:

SUBJECT: Viet-Nam Status Report.

There is attached the first status report on recent decisions

with respect to Viet-Nam. This memorandum is designed to supple-

ment that status report by providing additional clarifying information,

covering subjects not covered in the report and bringing it up to date

where additional information has been received.

The Military Situation. There has been continuing deterioration,

but no major change, in the military situation. The crisis described

in the Taylor Mission Report has not been reversed. There has been

a recent step-up of Viet Cong activity in the Delta and GVN analysis

suggests that the VC plans to broaden the area of Zone D north of

Saigon. Though the Government has taken some military initiatives,

its military operations have produced no significant results. There is

one bit of evidence indicating that the Cambodians may have tightened

their border somewhat and that the VC are raiding Cambodian border

villages in retaliation.

Casulty rates remain at the higher level inaugurated in September,

when the VC stepped up their offensive.

The Flood Situation. Each new report on the flood emphasizes

the fact that its effects will not be so severe as had been feared

initially. However, estimates of rice requirements which have

fluctuated up and down have now been firmly estimated at the relatively

high figure of 220, 000 tons. Action to deal with this problem is

reported in the status report. Meanwhile, Diem has established his

own flood relief and reconstruction organization under an official who

is well regarded by the American Embassy.

SECRET

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SECRET

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U.S. Economic Aid. AID in mid-October approved a level of

$140 million for non-project aid (commercial imports) for FY 1962.

Because of the floods and General Taylor's visit, this figure was

never given to the Vietnamese. The Ambassador on November 16

requested that this level be increased to $160 million on the basis of

new requirements created by the flood, particularly the need for rice.

Today he has sent a new message to the personal attention of Fowler

Hamilton requesting expedited action on this request on the grounds

that it would be of great help in his current negotiations with Diem

and is crucial to Vietnamese action to carry out exchange reform

and other measures which were agreed in connection with the Staley

Report. The request is receiving urgent consideration in State and

AID.

The Civil Guard and Self Defense Corps. The item on this

subject at the bottom of page 2 of the status report actually deals only

with the Civil Guard. We have not yet reached agreement with the

Vietnamese Government on a plan for the training of the Self Defense

Corps.

The Government rejected a MAAG proposal that members of

the Corps be trained in the Civil Guard training centers on the grounds

that such action would leave a security vacuum in the provinces. The

GVN proposed instead to bring 3 to 5 thousand Nationalist Chinese

military to Viet-Nam to provide "on-the-spot"' training. We are

planning to make a counter-proposal for training of the Corps at thirty

provincial training centers.

The Geneva Accords. As anticipated, we are already having

some difficulties dealing with questions from newsmen and others on

the relationship between our actions and the Geneva Accords. The

problem has been contained for the moment, but can be expected to

become more difficult as additional large items of military equipment

are delivered.

New Management of the Surete. The Embassy is seizing upon

the opportunities provided by change in leadership of the Surete. It is

planning to propose development of a 'National Communist Party

Penetration Service" with CIA support down to the provincial level and

an improved police program with the support of the USOM.

SECRET

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SECRET

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Organizational Questions. General Taylor has been consulting

with General Lemnitzer on the question of organization of U. S.

military activities in Viet-Nam. The question of Washington

organization for implementation of the action program is under con-

sideration between State and Defense in consultation with General

Taylor.

Weed Killer. You will be receiving papers from Defense and

State soon raising the question of whether we should support the use

of a weed killer to attack crops in the plateau area on which the VC

feed and to clear jungle paths, notably for an attack on Zone D. Your

decision is required because this is a kind of chemical warfare.

SECRET

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