From:      President Eisenhower 
              To:        Ngo Dinh Diem
              Date:      October 23, 1954

              Dear Mr. President:

              I have been following with great interest the course of developments 
              in Vietnam, particularly since the conclusion of the conference at 
              Geneva.  The implications of the agreement concerning Vietnam have 
              caused grave concern regarding the future of the country temporarily 
              divided by an artificial military grouping, weakened by a long and 
              exhausting war, and faced with enemies without and by their subversive 
              collaborators within ...

              Your recent requests for aid to assist in the formidable project of 
              the movement of several hundred thousand loyal Vietnamese citizens 
              away from areas which are passing under a de facto rule and political 
              ideology which they abhor, are being fulfilled.  I am glad that the 
              United States is able to assist in this humanitarian effort ...

            The purpose of this offer is to assist the Government of 
            Vietnam in developing and maintaining a strong, viable state,
            capable of resisting attempted subversion or aggression 
            through military means ... 

      . . . . . . . . . .

              From:      President Kennedy
              To:        Ngo Dinh Diem
              Date:      December 14, 1961

              Dear Mr. President:

              I have received your recent letter in which you described so cogently 
              the dangerous conditions caused by North Vietnam's effort to take 
              over your country.  The situation in your embattled country is well 
              known to me and to the American people.  We have been deeply disturbed 
              by the assault on your country ...

              At that time, the United States, although not a party to the Accords, 
              declared that it "would view any renewal of the aggression in violation 
              of the Agreements with grave concern and as seriously threatening 
              international peace and security."  We continue to maintain that view ...

            In accordance with that declaration, and in response to your 
            request, we are prepared to help the Republic of Vietnam to
            protect its people and to preserve its independence.  

              We shall promptly increase our assistance to your defense effort as 
              well as help relieve the destruction of the floods which you describe.  
              I have already given the orders to get these programs underway ...






            and, so it began ...   




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