Sin título

Página 1

yoLodge VS Diem

Lodge acquired an usual amount of control of US POLICY in Vietnam. In his first interview with Diem he took the initiative and began to criticise Madame Nhu. Diem didn't stop talking for 2 hours straight. After this lodge decided to try & avoid further encounters. He proceeded to turn Congress & American public opinion against Diem & Nhu, through PRESS LEAKS on their activities.

Administration disunity

Kennedy's disunited administration rejected both the option of using US combat troops & the idea of total withdrawal. Kennedy acknowledged that Diem needed to change his policies & personnel. But, he said it would be a mistake for US to get out of Vietnam, "That only makes it easy for the Communists". JFK reiterated the Domino Theory and warned the influence of expansionist China in Vietnam.

Kennedy sent 2 more observers to Vietnam in early september.

The Defence Department concentrated on US military activity & was optimistic.

The State Department was pessimistic.

Kennedy said, "This is impossible." "You did go to the same country, didn't you?"

He then sent McNamara & G Maxwell Taylor to report.

McNamara & Taylor were critical of Diem, encouraged by Lodge. They didn't want to admit their earlier optimism had be unjustified, they said all was well militarily & that 16,000 US forces could be withdrawn by 1965. Kennedy publicly announced that 1000 would leave by 1963. By this time Nhu was NEGOTIATING with Hanoi, confirming he and Diem had to go. President Kennedy said there needed to be change in the Saigon Government.

New Page