PERSONS/ENTITIES: McCone, Colby, Kennedy, John F., McNamara, Lodge, Hillman, Tung, Diem
DATES: 11 Sept 63
CATEGORIES: DIEM, TOP SECRET
OCCURRENCE: In a Presidential meeting on Vietnam with the CIA participants being McCone and Colby, the record by Colby reflects that McNamara pointed out that Lodge has little contact with Diem and has not been out of Saigon. Mr. McCone commented that he believed that we should move cautiously, that we should talk seriously to Diem and that Lodge should be urged to visit the countryside to obtain a more realistic view of the effects of suspending aid. Mr. McCone also suggested that another approach be made to Nhu to seek his cooperation in Diem's departure. The President asked whether we had carefully studied the detail effects of cuts in aid (as proposed in a paper prepared by Hillman). It was evident that the effects had not been studied. The President asked DOD and CIA to analyze the Hillman paper. He also asked that a telegram be sent to Lodge asking him to try to reduce the press leakage from Saigon and to establish some real contact with Diem. Any current plans for aid negotiation should be stalled, and the President should be well informed of any steps taken in this context, such as the instance involving CIA payment to Col Tung last week.
DATE: Dawson, 6/27/75
FILE: IG Report 1967 (CIA), p. 21-22