</s>176-10036-10173 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK ASSASSINTATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY : NARA RECORD NUMBER : 176-1006-10175 RECORD SERIES : National Security Files AGENCY FILE NUMBER # : ORIGINATOR : WH FROM : Bundy TO : Lodge TITLE : DATE : 10/30/1963 PAGES : 4 SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 9/10/2000 OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : National security Files, Box 201: Vietnam,10/29/63-10/31/63, CIA Reports. Box 2

Summary:  
This document is a classified communication dated October 30, 1963, between White House official Bundy and Ambassador Lodge regarding U.S. policy on potential coups in South Vietnam. It outlines directives for handling coup scenarios, emphasizing that U.S. authorities should not support coups unless they have a high prospect of success. The text references previous instructions (79109) rescinded by the White House, which had rejected supporting betrayal of generals to Diem. It specifies that U.S. intervention should be limited to persuading coup leaders to delay or stop operations if success is uncertain. The document also details the roles of key personnel, including Lodge as chief of the country team while in Saigon, and Harkins as the designated leader in case of a coup. Instructions are provided for coordination with Smith and Harris, and guidelines for U.S. posture during coups, such as avoiding direct intervention and maintaining neutrality.  

Key People:  
- Bundy (White House official)  
- Lodge (Ambassador to South Vietnam)  
- Harkins (senior officer designated to lead in case of coup)  
- Smith (U.S. military advisor)  
- Harris (U.S. official involved in coup planning)  
- Conen (reporting source with unclear alignment)  

Key Locations:  
- Saigon (Vietnam)  
- Washington, D.C. (U.S.)  

Key Events:  
- Discussion of U.S. policy on intervening in South Vietnamese coup attempts  
- Rescinding of previous directives (79109) regarding support for coups  
- Assignment of roles for managing coup scenarios and coordination with military advisors  
- Guidelines for U.S. neutrality and discretion in handling coup-related actions  

Key Organizations:  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- White House (U.S.)  
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

JFK Declassified Files

176-10036-10173.pdf

Document Summary

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