Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington
August 11, 1961
NATIONAL SECURITY ACTION MEMORANDUM NO. 65
(Supplement to National Security Action Memorandum No. 52, dated May 11 1961)
TO: The Secretary of State
SUBJECT: Joint Program of Action with the Government of Viet-Nam
Following his review of the "Joint Action Program Proposed by the Viet-Nam-United States Special Financial Groups to President Ngo Dinh Diem and President John F. Kennedy," the President on August 4 made the following decisions:
1. The President agrees with the three basic tenets on which the recommendations contained in the Joint Action Program are based, namely:
a. Security requirements must, for the present, be given first priority.
b. Military operations will not achieve lasting results unless economic and social programs are continued and accelerated.
c. It is in our joint interest to accelerate measures to achieve a self-sustaining economy and a free and peaceful society in Viet-Nam.
2. The United States will provide equipment and assistance in training for an increase in the armed forces of Viet-Nam from 170,000 to 200,000 men. In order to make this increase as effective as possible, the United States and Viet-Nam should satisfy themselves, before the time when the level of 170,000 is reached, on the following points:
