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Folder, "June 4, 1968 - 1:45 p.m. President's Tuesday Luncheon," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 3 (Item)

Abrams and Ambassado:i:?er called on Ky. He was in a black mood. He talked of resigning e. men lil'ei19g shot up by our helicopter. We have a potential problem with Ky and General Tha•g. Killing his allies has put him very down in the dumps. It is a very

Folder, "July 12, 1967 - 1:05 p.m. Meeting to hear McNamara report on trip to Vietnam," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

. operations had been reduced from 800 on his last trip to 30-40 on this trip •. i . On the political front, the Secretary reported: ·- The "greate_st . ~angertt I I is facing us. t A possible split betwee·n Ky and Thieu. 1· i The r.e is "no· real

Folder, "July 25, 1967 - 2:47 p.m. Tuesday lunch - Rusk, McNamara, Rostow, Christian," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

would be asked to specify which countries it would eliminate if the re is a cut back in foreign assistance funds. o Secretary Rusk said that Senator McClellan planned an investigation of corruption in Vietnamo "Ky intimate s will be invol ved . 11

Folder, "November 8, 1967 - 10:03 a.m. National Security Council," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

handwriting. 5. There are some differences between Ky and Thieu, but Ky told me that he will do his best to cooperate. 6. The South Vietnamese Army is not a superior force, but General Abrams told me there has been much improvement in the ARYN. There were

Folder, "August 5, 1967 - 1:49 p.m. Clifford, Taylor, Rusk, Nitze, Ball, Rostow, McPherson, Christian," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

counts show. It was agreed that the infiltration rate give the most fuzzy figures. retary Nitze said we just do not know what the precise figures are. Sec Mr. Clifford made the following points: (1) There were valuable visits with Ky and Thieu. (2

Folder, "November 8, 1967 - 9:42 a.m. Vice President and Walt Rostow," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

not deserve U.S. support. The Vice President said that Thieu and Ky have lowered the draft age and have established a very good blueprint for progress. co:NFIDi:NTTAL M!E ilNG f~OfES COPYAIQMfEO a.,~li1.•tiert A•cr"ic°' .. SERVICE SET P.,tm11u10A ef

Folder, "June 22, 1968 - 8:45 a.m. Meeting with Foreign Policy Advisors," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 3 (Item)

are interested in what Secretary Rusk has to aay. Why are you ao worr'ied al:out Saigon. The President: There ii instability between Ky and Thieu. He doesn't like sitting in the back row after all of the command positions he has held. CIA Director Helms

Folder, "October 5, 1967 - 6:55 p.m. McNamara, Rusk, Rostow," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

in Vietnam this year. We should talk about Honolulu when we asked them to draft a constitution; we should talk about Manila, when we asked them to elect a President; we should talk about Guam, when Ky and Thieu gave us their constitution; we should talk about

Folder, "February 28, 1968 - 8:35 a.m. Gen. Wheeler"s trip to Vietnam discussion with Foreign Policy Advisors," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 2 (Item)

of the senior U.S. commanders. I also talked with Ambassador Bunker, President Thieu and Vice President Ky. There were a number of factors which surprised me. I certainly learned things I did not know before: The TET attack was very powerful and nationwideo

Folder, "May 14, 1968 - 1:10 p.m. Tuesday lunch with Foreign Policy Advisors," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 3 (Item)

. The President: Are you concerned about Thieu's problem in forming a new cabinet. Secretary Rusk: Yes, but Ky will go along if there are no changes in Generals. Walt Rostow: The "deal" is that Ky will be main negotiator in "your side, our side" situation. CIA

Folder, "October 29, 1968 - 1 p.m. Tuesday luncheon with Foreign Policy Advisors," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 4 (Item)

Vietnam from being overrun. We have invested 29, 000 dead and $75 billion. We must be careful not to flush this down the drain. But we do have the right to expect cooperation from South Vietnam. Thieu and Ky agreed to this. Bunker said they needed more

Folder, "October 29, 1968 - 2:30 a.m. Meeting with the President's Foreign Policy Advisors," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 4 (Item)

have passed it. They are at How much trouble is the President having? General Abrams: He is stronger. to him. The Prime Minister is a great boost The President: Is Ky a threat, a dangerous threat? General Abrams: He's not helpful. Thieu

Folder, "November 15, 1967 - 2:16 p.m. Bunker, Rusk, McNamara, Wheeler, Helms, Rostow, Christian," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

in the government - - most improved. There has been a change in the political situation for the better. There now are local people getting involved in local government at the village level. We are urging Ky and Thieu to put land control in the hands of the local

Folder, "May 8, 1968 - 6 p.m. President's meeting with the negotiating team," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 3 (Item)

3. The matter of reconnaissance. South and have their intelligence. We must have this. They are in the 4. Important political issues. Go ahead and get their views on more formal talks and views on terms for settlement. Thieu and Ky suggested "our

Folder, "August 10, 1968 - 12:25 p.m. President's briefing of Former Vice President Nixon and Gov. Agnew," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 3 (Item)

and unbending. We will stop bombing under right conditions. PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS: We have tried to come up with formula to let us stop the bombing with no public Vance: They have refused to suggest anything at this point. will not permit the Thieu-Ky

Folder, "October 29, 1968 - 6:28 p.m. Foreign Policy Meeting," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 4 (Item)

about the NLF. Questions of procedure must be taken up. Saigon cannot be ready for November 2 because Thieu and Ky cannot be ready. They do not want to participate in what the President is trying to do. 2. The President has been urged to stop

Folder, "August 17, 1967 - 6:20 p.m. Meeting with Freshmen Republican Congressmen," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

than I expected. Ky is putting in 65, 000 men and dropping his draft age. go to war, nobody wants to die. Nobody wants to W ., are not in a stalemate. We expect to receive more troops from Australia, Thailand and from Korea. Don't kid yourselves

Folder, "September 26, 1967 - 1:15 p.m. Weekly luncheon - McNamara, Katzenbach, Helms, Rostow, Christian," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

overseeing group thought the Thieu-Ky election was a fraud. The President asked Director Helms to check this and if it is not true, get the information to the Senator. Secretary Katzenbach: Reported on tre Rusk-Gromyko talks which were underway in New York

Folder, "[July 1967 - May 1968 Meetings with Correspondents]," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

us any cooperation we will in return cooperate with them. There are no big decisions looming. The problem is how to get free and honest elections and not have a coup. Ky denies he said some of the things he has been reported as saying during the last

Folder, "October 3, 1967 - 6:10 p.m. Rusk, McNamara, Rostow, Helms, Christian Robin Olds and Col. Cross," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

of the Politburo. We need to stir Thieu and Ky up to probe around more with the NLFo Bunker should ask Thieu and Ky to get something going. This one is purely our thing" We need to get them going on somethingo Mr. Ro stow: It would be excellent for Thieu to say

Folder, "November 21, 1967 - 8:30 a.m. VP, Rusk, McNamara, Bunker, Komer, Wheeler, Westmoreland, Helms, Rostow," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 1 (Item)

that President Thieu and Vice President Ky have almost identical priorities which is encouraging. The President asked if President Thieu States. planned to come to the United Ambassador Bunker said yes at a later date when he settles down the government a bit

Folder, "October 15, 1968 - 1:20 p.m. Tuesday Luncheon," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 4 (Item)

Times story by Rick Smith and Marvin Kalb at 8:00 a. m. today may be put together. The President: Tell Bunker to get Thieu moving on telling his people now. Thieu must tell Ky, Prime Minister, and Defense Minister and draft a statement. The President

Folder, "February 12, 1968 - 1:45 p.m. Senior Foreign Policy Advisors meeting," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 2 (Item)

, but it is better to have them there when they are needed than to need them there and not have them. General Wheeler: I will call now and get my men drafting the order. (General Wheeler left the room.) The President: What is the status of Buttercup? I see where Ky

Folder, "April 6, 1968 - 1:30 p.m. President's meeting with Gen. William Westmoreland - Washington, D.C.," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 3 (Item)

and self-confidence. l There is a conflict between Thieu and Ky but I am not worried about it. I think they both should stay. There is friction between Thieu and Vien because of quarrel between two wives. Vien will resign when I leave {Westmoreland

Folder, "December 3, 1968 1:29-2:54 p.m. Tuesday Luncheon," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 4 (Item)

concern is the tactics of the South Vietnamese Government. Last word is that Ky won't get there until the 9th. You stopped bombing 32 days ago. I fear we will have this package fall apart and get back to heavy fighting. Saigon appears to be stalling until

Folder, "[November 7, 1968 Foreign Policy Meeting - Family Dining Room]," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 4 (Item)

ACCEPTED BY THE GVN IN THE COURSE OF THESE CONSULTA TIONS AS THE ONLY VAY, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, THAT WE COULD HOPE TO HOLD TALKS VITH THE OTHER SIDE. I THINK VICE PRESIDENT KY SAID ONCE THAT AS A NATTER OF PRINCIPLE WE OUGHT NOT TALK WITH ·THElltt- IUT

Folder, "March 26, 1968 - 1:15 p.m. Foreign Policy Advisors Luncheon - regulars plus added group - Vietnam," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 2 (Item)

~ght 5 p Holder· w Thomes-Johnson The President: Will you get 135, 000? General Abrams: Yes. The President: Are they drafting 18 year olds? General Abrams: -Yes. Thieu and Ky are determined to do it. The President: What ·percent of the ARYN

Folder, "February 9, 1968 - 11:02 a.m. Joint Chiefs of Staff," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 2 (Item)

, call up 18 year olds and give the American people the impression that they are doing as much as we. Secretary McNamara: When I was in Vietnam I talked with Thieu and Ky. They told me then they intended to call up 18 and 19 year olds. The President

Folder, "November 11, 1968 - 3 p.m. President and President-elect Nixon," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 4 (Item)

was talked over with Thieu. By the end of June Thieu and Ky had agreed that this was the best practical way to proceed. In July, Vance spelled out the your-side, our-side formula to Lau. Nothing came of it, however, at that time. In mid-September

Folder, "February 11, 1968 - 4:30 p.m. Senior Foreign Policy Advisors - Rusk, McNamara, Wheeler, Clifford, Taylor," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 2 (Item)

politicai groups. 3. In talking with Thieu and Ky, you should make dear that we "'.vish to see it through at their side. If we are to be permitted to do so by American public opinion, they must 1novc fa~t to b_ring their forces back /.'-v'1 to strength

Folder, "March 4, 1968 - 5:33 p.m. Meeting with Senior Foreign Policy Advisors," Papers of Tom Johnson, Box 2 (Item)

Clifford, a highly forceful approach to the GVN (Thieu and Ky) to get certain key commitments for impro~ement, tied to our own increased effort and to increased US support for the ARVN. De tails are in Tab B. 3. Early approval of a Reserve call-up