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 ...