“Compromise Solution for South Vietnam” Presented to the President
7/1/1965
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Most of President Johnson’s advisers pushed to expand America’s military presence in Vietnam. A small number dissented. Under Secretary of State George Ball presented this argument for negotiating an end to the war.
He stated: “No one can assure you that we can beat the Viet Cong or even force them to the conference table on our terms, no matter how many hundred thousand white, foreign troops we deploy.”
That same day, the “Viet Cong” attacked the U.S. air base at Da Nang. Within weeks, Johnson had more than quadrupled the size of the force.
He stated: “No one can assure you that we can beat the Viet Cong or even force them to the conference table on our terms, no matter how many hundred thousand white, foreign troops we deploy.”
That same day, the “Viet Cong” attacked the U.S. air base at Da Nang. Within weeks, Johnson had more than quadrupled the size of the force.
This primary source comes from the Collection LBJ-NSF: National Security Files.
Full Citation: Ball Memo 'A Compromise Solution for South Vietnam'; 7/1/1965; Political Track Papers. Top Secret.; Vietnam Country Files, 11/22/1963 - 1/20/1969; Collection LBJ-NSF: National Security Files; Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, Austin, TX. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/compromise-solution-south-vietnam-president, April 28, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.