![]() ![]() With the sudden collapse of our support, these atrocities of Hue would become the nightmare of the entire nation-and particularly for the million and a half Catholic refugees who fled to South Vietnam when theĬommunists took over in the North. During their brief rule there, there was a bloody reign of terror in which 3,000 civilians were clubbed, shot to death, and buried in mass graves. We saw a prelude of what would happen in South Vietnam when the Communists entered the city of Hue last year. They then murdered more than 50,000 people and hundreds of thousands more died in slave labor camps. In January I could only conclude that the precipitate withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam would be a disaster not only for South Vietnam but for the United States and for the cause of peace.įor the South Vietnamese, our precipitate withdrawal would inevitably allow the Communists to repeat the massacres which followed their takeover in the North 15 years before. And many others-I among them-have been strongly critical of the way the war has been conducted.īut the question facing us today is: Now that we are in the war, what is the best way to end it? Now, many believe that President Johnson's decision to send American combat forces to South Vietnam was wrong. Four years ago, President Johnson sent American combat forces to South Vietnam. Seven years ago, President Kennedy sent 16,000 military personnel to Vietnam as combat advisers. In response to the request of the Government of South Vietnam, President Eisenhower sent economic aid and military equipment to assist the people of South Vietnam in their efforts to prevent a Communist takeover. Why and how did the United States become involved in Vietnam in the first place?įifteen years ago North Vietnam, with the logistical support of Communist China and the Soviet Union, launched a campaign to impose a Communist government on South Vietnam by instigating and supporting a revolution. Well, let us turn now to the fundamental issue. The great question is: How can we win America's peace? The question at issue is not whether Johnson's war becomes Nixon's war. Let us all understand that the question before us is not whether some Americans are for peace and some Americans are against peace. I had to think of the effect of my decision on the next generation and on the future of peace and freedom in America and in the world. Some put it to me quite bluntly: This was the only way to avoid allowing Johnson's war to become Nixon's war.īut I had a greater obligation than to think only of the years of my administration and of the next election. ![]() I could blame the defeat which would be the result of my action on him and come out as the peacemaker. ![]() After all, we became involved in the war while my predecessor was in office. In view of these circumstances there were some who urged that I end the war at once by ordering the immediate withdrawal of all American forces.įrom a political standpoint this would have been a popular and easy course to follow. The war was causing deep division at home and criticism from many of our friends as well as our enemies abroad. No progress had been made at the negotiations in Paris and the United States had not put forth a comprehensive peace proposal. 540,000 Americans were in Vietnam with no plans to reduce the number. The training program for the South Vietnamese was behind schedule. 31,000 Americans had been killed in action. What are the prospects for peace? Now, let me begin by describing the situation I found when I was inaugurated on January 20. ![]() What choices do we have if we are to end the war? What has really happened in the negotiations in Paris and on the battlefront in Vietnam? How has this administration changed the policy of the previous administration? How and why did America get involved in Vietnam in the first place? Tonight, therefore, I would like to answer some of the questions that I know are on the minds of many of you listening to me. The American people cannot and should not be asked to support a policy which involves the overriding issues of war and peace unless they know the truth about that policy. I believe that one of the reasons for the deep division about Vietnam is that many Americans have lost confidence in what their Government has told them about our policy. Tonight I want to talk to you on a subject of deep concern to all Americans and to many people in all parts of the world-the war in Vietnam. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |