</s>176-10036-10073 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK ASSASSINTATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY : NARA RECORD NUMBER : 176-1006-100733 RECORD SERIES : National Security Files AGENCY FILE NUMBER # ORIGINATOR : FROM : Johnson TO : Rotow TITLE : Meeting of Vietnam Task Force June 19 1961 DATE : 6/20/1961 PAGES : 5 SUBJECTS : 5 DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 9/10/2000 OPENING INTERNTA : 9 /10/2010 COMMUNENTS : National Securty Files, Box 193; Vietnam General 6/19/19 1961-*** *** COMMUMENTS : 6 /30/1951. Box 1

Summary  
This document is a memorandum dated June 20, 1961, prepared for Mr. Rostow regarding a meeting of the Vietnam Task Force held on June 19, 1961. The discussion centered on intelligence briefings related to Vietnam and Laos, including reports from Embassy Saigon and Phnom Penh about Cambodian border tensions, Indian involvement in subversion investigations, and potential clashes between Pathet Lao and South Vietnamese forces. A summary of Viet Cong and GVN casualties for May 1961 was provided, with figures showing 824 Viet Cong killed, 30 captured, and 28 GVN soldiers killed.  

The document addresses the U.S. strategy to address local currency costs associated with a proposed 20,000-man military increase in South Vietnam. Three financial proposals were outlined: $1.5 million in aid if the GVN mobilizes immediately, an additional $4.85 million if the first offer fails, and a final $1.55 million if neither is accepted. The U.S. also discussed contingency planning for Laos, including potential military intervention to counter Pathet Lao threats and French involvement.  

Key People  
- Mr. Rostow (recipient of the memorandum)  
- Cottrell (U.S. official involved in discussions on Vietnam and Laos)  
- Ben Wood (Deputy Director of the Task Force)  
- Alexis Johnson (possibly referenced in contingency planning discussions)  
- Jack Bell (office representative mentioned in the context of economic actions)  
- Robert H. Johnson (author of the memorandum)  

Key Locations  
- Saigon (Vietnam)  
- Phnom Penh (Cambodia)  
- Laos (specifically southern regions near the Vietnam border)  
- Thailand (mentioned in relation to regional stability and contingency planning)  

Key Events  
- Intelligence briefing on Cambodian border tensions and Pathet Lao activities.  
- Discussion of Viet Cong and GVN casualties for May 1961.  
- Proposals for U.S. financial aid to address local currency costs for military expansion.  
- Contingency planning discussions regarding potential military intervention in Laos.  
- Debate over the integration of Laos and Vietnam conflicts, including French involvement and U.S. strategic considerations.  

Key Organizations  
- National Security Council (NSC)  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- U.S. Department of State  
- Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV)  
- United States Operations Mission (USOM)

JFK Declassified Files

176-10036-10073.pdf

Document Summary

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