"[The president had authorized the measure} over the mild objection of Averell [Harriman], Roger Hilsman, and myself; but with the strong approval of Secretary McNamara, General Taylor, the field, and just about anybody else you could think of. I believe his main train of thinking is that you cannot say no to your military advisors all the time, and with this I agree."
-Michael V Forrestal, former leading aide of McGeorge Bundy, former National Security Advisor of President Kennedy
"U.S. aims:
70% --To avoid a humiliating U.S. 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."
-The Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition, Volume 3
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"Exit by negotiations is tainted by the humiliation likely to follow."
-The Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition, Volume 3
"President Diem has asked General Harkins to continue with the crop defoliation program and to provide helicopters to his province chiefs...." |