Source: The Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition, Volume 2, p. 782
25 Oct 63
FROM: McGeorge Bundy to Lodge
CAP 63590
Your 1964 most helpful.
We will continue to be grateful for all additional information giving increased
clarity to prospects of action by Don or others, and we look forward to discussing
with you the whole question of control and cutout on your return, always assuming
that one of these D-Days does not turn out to be real. We are particularly concerned
about hazard that an unsuccessful coup, however carefully we avoid direct engagement,
will be laid at our door by public opinion almost everywhere. Therefore, while
sharing your view that we should not be in position of thwarting coup, we would
like to have option of judging and warning on any plan with poor prospects of
success. We recognize that this is a large order, but President wants you to
know of our concern.