MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06265519
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: September 12, 2023
• Document Release Date: June 26, 2023
• Case Number: F-2020-00509
• Publication Date: March 10, 1965

Approved for Release: 2023/02/17 006265519
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10 March 1965
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
On Monday, 1 March 1965, I had lunch with Marguerite Higgins
at her residence. This appointment was cleared in advance with Mr.
McCone who had previously seen Marguerite Higgins. When I arrived,
we were joined by Mr. Lisagor of the Chicago Daily News whom I re-
membered from a luncheon at Headquarters attended by Mr. McCone
and myself.
Mrs. Hall (Marguerite Higgins) is writing a book on Vietnam
which is to be published in September 1965 by Harper & Company. She
knows a great deal more about Vietnam than I ever shall, and she seems
to have decided on two major villians for her piece, i. e., Ambassador
Lodge and Rogei Hilsman. The conversation also covered her dislike for
Tri Quang, the Buddhist leader, but most of the conversation consisted
of her recalling the occasions on which she had warned US Government
officials getting rid of Diem and Nhu was a mistake, supporting the
Buddhists was a mistake, and that the present US policy was muddled and
confused and was also a mistake.
She seemed thoroughly familiar with the details of the events of
July, August, and September 1963 including the drafting of State
Department telegram No. 243 and the circumstances of its "coordination",
and all the other activities in high Government circles here and in Saigon.
I made one offer to her -- which was that if she wanted anyone in
the Agency to read her manuscript in any form before publication for any
purpose, I would be glad to offer to serve as the go-between after
checking with Mr. McCone. She said only that she thought she would ask
John Richardson to read some of the manuscripp.f,
I am still somewhat puzzled as to why she chose me to talk to
but I suspect Pete Lisagor may have been the motivating force here.
W. Elder
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Approved for Release: 2023/02/17 006265519