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How does President Johnson understand the significance of the Vietnam war in his letter to Ho Chi Minh in 1967? How might his beliefs have changed in the years after the letter was sent?

How does President Johnson understand the significance of the Vietnam war in his letter to Ho Chi Minh in 1967? How might his beliefs have changed in the years after the letter was sent?

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How does President Johnson understand the significance of the Vietnam war in his letter to Ho Chi Minh in 1967? How might his beliefs have changed in the years after the letter was sent?

Kosygin, Alexei N In the past two weeks, I have noted public statements by representatives of your government suggesting that you would be prepared to enter into direct bilateral talks with representatives of the US Government, provided that we ceased "unconditionally" and permanently our bombing operations against your country and all military actions against it. In the last day, serious and responsible parties have assured us indirectly that this is in fact your proposal. Read, Benjamin F Rostow, Walt w. Rusk, Dean Let me frankly state that I see two great difficulties with this proposal. In view of your public position, such action on our part would inevitably produce worldwide speculation that discussions were under way and would impair the privacy and secrecy of those discussions. Secondly, there would inevitably be grave concern on our part whether your government would make use of such action by us to improve its military position. ABBREVIATIONS DRV Nodis With these problems in mind, I am prepared to move even further towards an ending of hostilities than your Government has proposed in either public POL statements or through private diplomatic channels. I am prepared to order a cessation of bombing against your country and the stopping of further augmentation of US forces in South Viet-Nam as soon as I am assured that RG [Page 93] US infiltration into South Viet-Nam by land and by sea has stopped. These acts of restraint on both sides would, I believe, make it possible for us to conduct serious RELATED RESOU and private discussions leading toward an early peace. I make this proposal to you now with a specific sense of urgency arising from the imminent New Year holidays in Viet-Nam. If you are able to accept this proposal I I About the Foreigr see no reason why it could not take effect at the end of the New Year, or Tet, Status of the Seri holidays. The proposal I have made would be greatly strengthened if your military authorities and those of the Government of South Viet-Nam could promptly History of the Se
Transcribed Image Text:Kosygin, Alexei N In the past two weeks, I have noted public statements by representatives of your government suggesting that you would be prepared to enter into direct bilateral talks with representatives of the US Government, provided that we ceased "unconditionally" and permanently our bombing operations against your country and all military actions against it. In the last day, serious and responsible parties have assured us indirectly that this is in fact your proposal. Read, Benjamin F Rostow, Walt w. Rusk, Dean Let me frankly state that I see two great difficulties with this proposal. In view of your public position, such action on our part would inevitably produce worldwide speculation that discussions were under way and would impair the privacy and secrecy of those discussions. Secondly, there would inevitably be grave concern on our part whether your government would make use of such action by us to improve its military position. ABBREVIATIONS DRV Nodis With these problems in mind, I am prepared to move even further towards an ending of hostilities than your Government has proposed in either public POL statements or through private diplomatic channels. I am prepared to order a cessation of bombing against your country and the stopping of further augmentation of US forces in South Viet-Nam as soon as I am assured that RG [Page 93] US infiltration into South Viet-Nam by land and by sea has stopped. These acts of restraint on both sides would, I believe, make it possible for us to conduct serious RELATED RESOU and private discussions leading toward an early peace. I make this proposal to you now with a specific sense of urgency arising from the imminent New Year holidays in Viet-Nam. If you are able to accept this proposal I I About the Foreigr see no reason why it could not take effect at the end of the New Year, or Tet, Status of the Seri holidays. The proposal I have made would be greatly strengthened if your military authorities and those of the Government of South Viet-Nam could promptly History of the Se
Preface Washington, February 7, 1967, 2:15 p.m. Johnson Admi 132608. 1. Please arrange delivery at once to DRV Chargé of following letter:? [Page 92] Sources Тext His Excellency Ho Chi Minh, President, Democratic Republic of Vietnam Abbreviations Dear Mr. President: Persons I am writing to you in the hope that the conflict in Vietnam can be brought to an end. That conflict has already taken a heavy toll-in lives lost, in wounds inflicted, Note on U.S.C in property destroyed, and in simple human misery. If we fail to find a just and peaceful solution, history will judge us harshly. Vietnam 1967 Therefore, I believe that we both have a heavy obligation to seek earnestly the path to peace. It is in response to that obligation that I am writing directly to you. Marigold, S Continuing January-Fe We have tried over the past several years, in a variety of ways and through a number of channels, to convey to you and your colleagues our desire to achieve a peaceful settlement. For whatever reasons, these efforts have not achieved any 83) Index results. Errata It may be that our thoughts and yours, our attitudes and yours, have been distorted or misinterpreted as they passed through these various channels. Certainly that is always a danger in indirect communication. PERSONS There is one good way to overcome this problem and to move forward in the search for a peaceful settlement. That is for us to arrange for direct talks between trusted Bundy, Willia representatives in a secure setting and away from the glare of publicity. Such talks should not be used as a propaganda exercise but should be a serious effort to find a Ho Chi Minh workable and mutually acceptable solution.
Transcribed Image Text:Preface Washington, February 7, 1967, 2:15 p.m. Johnson Admi 132608. 1. Please arrange delivery at once to DRV Chargé of following letter:? [Page 92] Sources Тext His Excellency Ho Chi Minh, President, Democratic Republic of Vietnam Abbreviations Dear Mr. President: Persons I am writing to you in the hope that the conflict in Vietnam can be brought to an end. That conflict has already taken a heavy toll-in lives lost, in wounds inflicted, Note on U.S.C in property destroyed, and in simple human misery. If we fail to find a just and peaceful solution, history will judge us harshly. Vietnam 1967 Therefore, I believe that we both have a heavy obligation to seek earnestly the path to peace. It is in response to that obligation that I am writing directly to you. Marigold, S Continuing January-Fe We have tried over the past several years, in a variety of ways and through a number of channels, to convey to you and your colleagues our desire to achieve a peaceful settlement. For whatever reasons, these efforts have not achieved any 83) Index results. Errata It may be that our thoughts and yours, our attitudes and yours, have been distorted or misinterpreted as they passed through these various channels. Certainly that is always a danger in indirect communication. PERSONS There is one good way to overcome this problem and to move forward in the search for a peaceful settlement. That is for us to arrange for direct talks between trusted Bundy, Willia representatives in a secure setting and away from the glare of publicity. Such talks should not be used as a propaganda exercise but should be a serious effort to find a Ho Chi Minh workable and mutually acceptable solution.
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