He told me I should make a liberal interpretation of the rules of engagement in the field and not come to Washington and ask him, under the political climate, to come out with an interpretation; I should make them in the field and he would back me up. He stated that if I were to make more liberal interpretations of the rules of engagement, I was not likely to be questioned by DOD for our actions... I conveyed this information and my private discussion to Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr., overall U.S. commander in Vietnam, and General Abrams said he agreed with Secretary Laird.