Did we win in Viet Nam?

Howard Berkowitz wrote:

In article , Dave Holford
wrote:



Maybe I mis-remember, but I thought that our objective was to insure
the ongoing
vitality of an anti-communist government in the southern part of Viet
Nam which
would, by its existence, prevent the spread of the communist form of
government
elsewhere in SEA.

George Z.


Interesting, sounds like a political statement, but I don't remember
seeing it anywhere before - could you provide a name, or document where
that statement originated as a U.S. objective - I would be interested in
some background on its creation.


Probably the most succinct statement is a memo from Assistant Secretary
of Defense John McNaughton to SecDef McNamara. Key excerpt:


3/24/65 (first draft)

ANNEX-PLAN OF ACTION FOR SOUTH VIETNAM

1. US aims:


70% --To avoid a humiliating US defeat (to our reputation as a
guarantor).
20%--To keep SVN (and then adjacent) territory from Chinese hands.
10%--To permit the people of SVN to enjoy a better, freer way of life.

ALSO--To emerge from crisis without unacceptable taint from methods used.
NOT--To "help a friend," although it would be hard to stay in if asked
out.


For the full memo and context (from the Pentagon Papers), see
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel...on3/doc253.htm


Wow, that has to be the longest "succinct" statement in the history of
the English language.

Do you have the actual memo, rather than the (first draft)?

Dave