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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](https://content.bartleby.com/qna-images/question/d0c72c33-82d6-4e57-a816-86706921cfa8/06b9ee76-fa0a-43c2-92f4-d4a9c6fc1f84/p7ji3ba_processed.jpeg)
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.](https://content.bartleby.com/qna-images/question/d0c72c33-82d6-4e57-a816-86706921cfa8/06b9ee76-fa0a-43c2-92f4-d4a9c6fc1f84/j3bu4db_processed.jpeg)
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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