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This file contains:
From John McCone to RN RE: bombing North Vietnam. Handwritten notes added by unknown. 1 pg. [Memo], 9/21/1968
Copy of a memo from Bryce Harlow to RN RE: "Dirksen -- LBJ." 2 pgs. [Memo], 9/24/1968
Copy of a memo from Bob Haldeman to RN and Bryce Harlow RE: Paris talks. 2 pgs. [Memo], 9/27/1968
From an Ellsworth to a DC RE: a conversation between Governor Agnew and someone referred to as Rusk. 6 pgs. [Memo], 9/27/1968
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26125825
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WHSF: Returned, 1-11
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26125825
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WHSF: Returned, 1-11
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This file contains:
From John McCone to RN RE: bombing North Vietnam. Handwritten notes added by unknown. 1 pg. [Memo], 9/21/1968
Copy of a memo from Bryce Harlow to RN RE: "Dirksen -- LBJ." 2 pgs. [Memo], 9/24/1968
Copy of a memo from Bob Haldeman to RN and Bryce Harlow RE: Paris talks. 2 pgs. [Memo], 9/27/1968
From an Ellsworth to a DC RE: a conversation between Governor Agnew and someone referred to as Rusk. 6 pgs. [Memo], 9/27/1968
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Returned White House Special Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number
Folder Number
Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
1
11
09/21/1968
Memo
From John McCone to RN RE: bombing
North Vietnam. Handwritten notes added by
unknown. 1 pg.
1
11
09/24/1968
Memo
Copy of a memo from Bryce Harlow to RN
RE: "Dirksen -- LBJ." 2 pgs.
1
11
09/27/1968
Memo
Copy of a memo from Bob Haldeman to RN
and Bryce Harlow RE: Paris talks. 2 pgs.
1
11
09/27/1968
Memo
From an Ellsworth to a DC RE: a
conversation between Governor Agnew and
someone referred to as Rusk. 6 pgs.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Page 1 of 1
H-
FOR RN EYES ONLY
PLEASE DESTROY AFTER READING
J.
McC.
call
melone
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM
R.N."
TO:
MR.
H. NIXON only
FROM: MR. JOHN MCCONE
SEPTEMBER 21, 1968
mctone- RN got pls the ap posted app very much
12:30 p.m.
Dear Dick:
Sorry we didn't get together by phone last evening.
I know how complicated your life is.
I am concerned over the possible move or question of
bombing of the North. You recall the Democratic Platform call
for "Stop all bombing of NVN, when this action would not en-
danger the lives of our troops in the field; this action should
take into account the response from Hanoi."
There is an authoratative estimate in Washington which
says that the bombing of the North does not seriously impede
infiltration of men and equipment from the North into the South.
If this is accepted, the first part of the above statement has been
covered and it seems to me that the second part could be rationalized
in some way or other.
I have reason to believe that the estimate is being given
some currency and, therefore, is a possibility -- and I say merely
a possibility of a change of policy based on these findings.
-
4
feel you should be alert to this and while I have
no information as to the acceptability of the estimate at the
military level in Washington or Saigon, nevertheless, it comes from
such sources that it can't be totally overlooked and I am quite sure
its existance is known to some of the Doves on the Hill.
Again I emphasize a change of policy is a remote
possibility, but something you should be prepared for.
Regards,
Mr. McCone left for Hawaii at 2:30 p.m. today and will be staying at
the Mauna Kea Hotel on the Island of Hawaii for two or three days.
As dictated over phone to
Declassified/Relemed on 8-15-94
Kay K.
under provisions of E.O. 12356
By J. Saunders, National Security Council
September 24, 1968
MEMORANDUM
TO:
RN
FROM:
Bryce Harlow
SUBJECT:
Dirksen - LBJ
Ev Dirksen reports the following as direct
from LBJ:
(1) He (LBJ) has no knowledge that McCone and/or
General Taylor ever made any kind of proposition regarding the
Paris talks to indicate there might be a sell-out of a political
nature.
(2) The talks are exactly where they were before.
(3) He will not change from the stance he has
evidenced in his talks with you.
(4) He wants to maintain the same good relationship
with you that he always maintained with DDE.
Dirksen adds the following points gained from
this discussion:
(1) North Vietnam has not given any evidence that
they will stop shelling the DMZ.
(2) They have given no assurance that they will
stop bombing the cities.
(3) They have given no assurance that they will
accept a constitutional government of South Viet Nam and deal
with it straight across the table.
- 2 -
(4) Because there have been no responses to
these points there will be nothing done to decelerate our
effort or reduce the bombing presently underway.
LBJ let Ev read a cable from General Abrams
which arrived this morning. Abrams is certain that he has
them "on the hip. " The death toll of the enemy is terrible
and the number of weapons and munitions being captured is
enormous. The President does not propose to soften his
position.
LBJ said if at any time you need any information
let Dirksen know and the two of them will discuss it in total
candor. He said he would telephone Dirksen before taking any
move at any time that might politically backfire on you.
As Ev said, who could ask for more?
######
Act().)
COPY
A.IOJ
(REO
OUTX
XERO
our
CONFIDENTIAL -- EYES ONLY
September 27, 1968
MEMORANDUM
TO:
RN
Bryce Harlow
FROM:
Bob Haldeman
The following is the report from the top diplo-
matic source who is secretly with us and has access to the
Paris talks and other information:
Our source feels that there is a better than even
chance that Johnson will order a bombing halt at approximately
mid-October. This will be tied in with a big flurry of diplo-
matic activity in Paris which will have no meaning but will be
made to look important.
He feels also there is a one-third likelihood of
movement by LBJ before the election on t he program that was
discussed with RN at the ranch. In the European area, the
Russians are pushing hard to get Johnson into some program
that will help the Russian world image and our source thinks
Johnson will fall for this. It would relate to the Mid-East
situation and to the disarmament program.
Scranton should have some further reports on this
as a result of his European talks.
Auga
ON
OULIX
XFRO
ONL.
- 2 -
European leaders are afraid Johnson is going
to make efforts to improve his image and that these efforts
will be detrimental to Europe.
Our source feels Johnson has a compulsion to
do some such thing and that he will do it. He thinks this
may have some relation to the Ball resignation which might
have been done to give Johnson a chance to appear personally
to be directing our efforts at the UN.
Our source does not believe that it is practical
to oppose a bombing halt but does feel thought should be given
to the fact that it may happen - that we may want to anticipate
it - and that we certainly will want to be ready at the time
it does happen.
He seriously questions whether Nixon and Agnew
are actually getting anywhere near the briefing that they
should have. (He also feels Humphrey is not being thoroughly
briefed either although Ball may have considerable information
for him).
He says the Russians are now much more flexible
on the Mid-East and are eager to get out the word that they
are willing to move on disarmament.
Our source is extremely concerned about the moves
Johnson may take and expects that he will take some before the
election.
September 27, 1968
Declassified/Released on 8-15-94
under provisions of E.O. 12356
By J. Saunders, National Security Council
MEMORANDUM
TO:
DC
FROM: Ellsworth
Following is a report of Governor Agnew's conversation
with Rusk Friday afternoon, September 27:
A good 55-minute conversation -- covered a
lot of territory.
VIETNAM
There are no new developments. With regard to the
possibility of troop reductions, there are no indications
of the possiblity of any troops coming back this year. In
early 1969 some support troops might be coming back, but it
would not amount to 10 percent of our total troop strength
over there. In any case, they will not cut our legs of!f
with an announcement in October. If there is anyechange
LBJ will call RN right away. With regard to a bombing
cessation, nothing is presently anticipated although it is
a fast-changing situation. If the other side should devise
any movement, make any move to lessen tension, such as, for
example, withdrawing some troops out of the DMZ, we might
take that as a matter that would justify reconsideration of
bombing. The reason for this is that such a move on their
part would constitute great loss of face in the eyes of
world public opinion. Of course, we are under intense
HIGHLY CONFIDENT
scrutiny particularly in Southeast Asia and throughout
Asia with regard to our move or moves and we of course
must avoid any loss of face. It is a war of nerves. If
there should be any change we will be notified.
With regard to the rumors that Maxwell Taylor is
saying in private conversations that the North Vietnamese
are ready to enter into substantive negotiations if only
we will stop the bombing, Rusk says there is no movement
at all on that view and he does not know what Taylor is
referring to. We have no indication at all from the other
side that is any different from what they have been saying
and doing all along.
(NB: Agnew did not report Rusk saying anything at all
about what he told RN on September 8 about possible movement
in Paris. Moreover, Rusk's mention to Agnew of "any move
to lessen tension' as being enoughtto justify reassessment
of the bombing seems to be a rather clear signal.)
CENTRAL EUROPE
The Czechoslovakia situation still constitutes a great
danger. It is impossible to guess what the Russians might
do. The Yugoslavia situation is particularly volatile --
nothing immediate is indicated, but dangerous. Rumania,
however, is not considered critical despite the noises that
are being made. They are more conventional Communists and
differ with the Soviet Union only in certain areas of inter-
national relations.
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
-3-
Questions have been asked in the last day or two
about why Kosygin has not been seen or mentioned in
public, particularly in connection with matters pertaining
to the Czechoslovakia situation. The answer is that Kosy-
gin has not been seen for the same reason the Gromyko has
not been seen in connection with it -- it is considered
and being handled as a purely political, not a state matter.
The question has been raised whether or not the Soviets
might have moved to establish somewhat less hostile relations
with Mao, in view of the fact that their relations with us
have cooled substantially over the Czech matter. No such
moves have been detected.
Rusk showed Agnew some fantastic photographs taken
by our spy satellites showing dispositions of Soviet tanks
around Czechoslovakia in satellite countries (Bulgaria,
etc.)
NB: There is no plan for a NATO summit, although
they are moving the foreign ministers conference up from
December to November.
THE MIDDLE EAST
The U.S.S.R. has accelerated its assistance to the
Arab states and has deployed new sophisticated navall vessels in
the Mediterranean.
Some hostilities can be expected in the area, although
not on a grand scale. The Israelis want to bargain on a
direct basis with the different Arab states, without an
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
-4-
intermediary, but of course this is strongly resisted
by the Arabs since direct negotiations would imply some
recognition of the State of Israel.
The indications are that the Israelis would be willing
to withdraw from Sinai if the Gaza Strip and the West Bank
of the Jordan could be settled in their favor. The most
difficult phase of all this will be resolution of the
problems between Israel and Jordan. Jordan apparently
is going to be much tougher than any of the other Arab states.
There is nothing to the rumors about the Soviets taking
steps to force the opening of the Suez Canal.
The Johnson administration is worried about sending the
Phantomajets to Israel, for feat it will cause an esca-
lation in the arms race in the Middle East. Johnson is
particularly worred that, without a Non-Proliferation Treaty
to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, and the addition
of jet aircraft, you begin to have a highly dangerous combi-
nation of nuclear weapons spreading around and in the hands
of people with highly efficient and dangerous delivery systems,
(i.e. the jets). Since Israel has not signed the Non-Proli-
feration Treaty, Johnson is holding back the Phantom jets
in order to get her to sign the Treaty.
(NB: Could this be a hint of an effective "scare"
political line reminiscent of the nuclear weapons lines
used against Goldwater in 1964?)
The Arabs have caught two of our spy planes, flying
around in recent days or weeks but have not said anything
about them and have not done anything except to fly some
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
-5-
interceptors up to take a look. )
SPAIN
We are renegotiating our military base lease agreements
with Spain. We now pay a total of about $250 million a year,
and Spain is asking for more than $700 million so they are
really holding us up. Rusk has adopted the deliberate tactic
of sitting it out and he will not consummate any agreement on
those terms. The leases will probably expire before an agree-
ment is reached, but there is a more or less automatic extension
of 6 months and another year beyond that in case of necessity,
so even if the press begins to play up how the leases have
expired there will still be an 18 months grace period.
The point is, Rusk specifically requests that RN nott
make an issue out of the failure to renew these leases if
and when the press begins to play it up.
LATIN AMERICA
Rusk also asked Agnew to say to RN that he, Rusk, is
worried about the Congressional cuts in the Alliance for
Progress and asks RN to do what he can to help restore some
IVI
of the cuts. (Ellsworth will check with Frank Bow and Milton
m
Young on the status of this and report back with a recommenda-
tion.) They are still having problems with the Castro-oriented
people in many parts of Latin America.
-6-
GREECE
They are planning on reestablishing some aid if the
plebiscite goes through on Sunday and if things generally
continue to go as they are, moving (albeit slowly) to the
restoration of democracy. Deficient as it is, the current
military government is the best that is available. The
others, Andreas Pompandreau and his associates are bandits,
unreliable and Rusk would like to see their Swiss bank
accounts.
THE PUEBLO
There is absolutely nothing new on the Pueblo. It
was in international waters by any standrads -- theirs and
ours.
Incidentally, Rusk emphasized that we are taking steps
to protect our similar operational vessels here and there,
covering them with adequate operational surface and air cover.