Subject: JFK on Vietnam = GWB on Iraq Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 10:12:30 -0500 Message-ID: <B14120EE5C432443B21102F7925DAD0202E3F47C@COKE.uwec.edu> From: "Grossman, Zoltan C." <GROSSMZC@uwec.edu>
President Kennedy's Television Interviews on Vietnam
September 2 and 9, 1963
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/kentv.htm
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CBS Interview, September 2
MR. CRONKITE. Mr. President, the only hot war we've got running at the
moment is of course the one in Viet-Nam, and we have our difficulties
here, quite obviously.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY. I don't think that unless a greater effort is made by
the Government to win popular support that the war can be won out there.
In the final analysis, it is their war. They are the ones who have to
win it or lose it. We can help them, we can give them equipment, we can
send our men out there as advisers, but they have to win it?the people
of Viet-Nam?against the Communists. We are prepared to continue to
assist them, but I don't think that the war can be won unless the people
support the effort....
....In the final analysis it is the people end the Government itself who
have to win or lose this struggle. All he can do is help, and we are
making it very clear. But I don't agree with those who say we should
withdraw. That would be a great mistake. That would be a great mistake.
I know people don't like Americans to be engaged in this kind of an
effort. Forty-seven Americans have been killed in combat with the enemy,
but this is a very important struggle even though it is far away.
* * * * * * *
(b) NBC Interview, September 9
Mr. HUNTLEY. Are we likely to reduce our aid to South Viet-Nam now?
The PRESIDENT. I don't think we think that would be helpful at this
time. If you reduce your aid, it is possible you could have some effect
upon the government structure there. On the other hand, you might have a
situation which could bring about a collapse. Strongly in our mind is
what happened in the case of China at the end of World War II, where
China was lost?a weak government became increasingly unable to control
events. We don't want that....
What I am concerned about is that Americans will get impatient and say,
because they don't like events in Southeast Asia or they don't like the
Government in Saigon, that we should withdraw. That only makes it easy
for the Communists. I think we should stay.
We should use our influence in as effective a way as we can, but we
should not withdraw.