UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

d PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 92 CONGRESS SECOND SESSION

VOLUME lIS-PART 11

APRIL 19, 1972 TO APRIL 26, 1972 (PAGES 13301 TO 14556)

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, 1972 April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13305 The bill was read the third time, and position of funds to pay a judgment in The nomination on the Executive Calen­ passed. favor of the Yankton Sioux Tribe in dar, under "New Reports" will be stated. Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, Indian Claims Commission Document I ask unanimous consent to have printed No. 332-A, and for other purposes, which in the RECORD an excerpt from the report had been reported from the Committee NATIONAL COMMISSION ON

It is a test of Vietnamization, of the NORTH VIETNAM'S INVASION desists, the U.S. asks nothing more than to Nixon doctrine and of the political ma­ 12 of North Vietnam's 14 regUlar army negotiate seriously on the basis of proposals turity and stability of the United States. divisions are now engaged in aggression out­ both sidee have advanced. If we mean what we have said in our side its borders against La06. Cambodia and VIETNAMESE PERFOIUolANCE AND u.s. announcements pertaining to the Nixon South Vietnam. ASSISTANCE doctrine, a doctrine which has received Hanoi is currently engaged in a 3 division To those who would say that the current offensive across the Demilitarized Zone invasion spells the doom of the Vletnamiza­ much praise in this Chamber, then we (DMZ) against the northern part of South must see it put into practice in this most tion program, let us await the outcome of Vietnam. Most of these forces including the battle. The South Vietnamese Army Is blatant test of our will to do so. accompanying sophisticated armor, art111ery, fighting the ground actions alone, whereas The refugee flow from Quang Tri and and anti-aircraft eqUipment have come di­ in 1968 the U.S. had 550,000 ground troops the other areas of South Vietnam rectly across the Demilitarized Zone. there. Today the U.S. has fewer than 90,000 threatened \'lith invasion indicate that Other large North Vietnamese regular army and none of these ground forces are engaged units are attacking South Vietnamese popu­ in the combat. the Vietnamese people are telling us lation centers in the Highlands and near something. They do not welcome the the Cambodian border. To those who would say Vietnamization Is North Vietnamese as liberators, but as a failure let them explain why it is North feared cORquerers. They, unlike some NORTH VIETNAM'S VIOLATIONS Vietnam's regular army and not the South­ The 1954 Geneva Accords provided for a ern Viet Cong which is carrying the battle. Members of this oody perhaps, remem­ demilitarized buffer between North and Let them explain how after more than a week ber the n ass murders and atrocities per­ South Vietnam. of intensive fighting the South Vietnamese petrated at Hue, atrocities which sa The 1968 Understanding which led to the Army, without any U.S. ground support, is overshadow other incidents in this bloody cessation of U.S. bombardments against fighting Vigorously to defend their people war as to stagger the imagination. North Vietnam specifically prOVided for re­ and their major cities whereas in 1968, after History favors the strong in might and spect for the status of the DMZ. but a few days U.S. troops were fighting will. People displaced by war vote with The U.S. made clear in negotiations lead­ Hanoi's forces in several of South Vietnam's Nat~on ing to this bombing halt that we considered major cities. their feet. This has been a world respect for the DMZ as a situation in which The U.S. can have only the greatest praise leader. If it is to remain so it must not there would be no firing of artillery, rockets for the brave resistance of the South Viet­ ignore the "vote" of the Vietnamese or mortars from, across or Within the DMZ namese in the face of North Vietnam's all­ refugees. It must not force its President and there would be no movement across or out offensive, and Will provide air, navai and to meet with his totalitarian adversaries within the DMZ. logistical support to help them succeed while being chastized by this \lody. It Hanoi has illegally constructed a major in­ against the invaders. must show might and will in this de­ filtration route across the DMZ extending finitive test of Vietnamization and the far into the northern part of South Vietnam. NORTH VIETNAM'S INVASION OF SOUTH Nixon doctrine. For even if South Viet­ Hundreds of tons of mi1ltary supplies have VIETNAM been moved on this route. On March 30, 1972 a mUlti-division force nam falls, and unlike some, I do not wish Hanoi's latest invasion across the DMZ is of North Vietnam's regular army openly it to be so, we must be able to say that the clearest, most blatant and outrageous crossed the Demll1tarized Zone to launch even in withdrawal we honored our com­ violations of these 1968 bombing halt under­ a massive invasion of South Vietnam. At the mitment and gave meaning to the Nixon standings. same time, other large North Vietnamese doctrine. Hanoi's leaders have now removed any regular army units moved across the bor­ Mr. President, if we in this body con­ pretense that the war in Vietnam is a local ders of Laos and Cambodia in force to at­ sciously weaken the President with irre­ insurgency. This is an outright and massive tack Kontum province in the Highlands and conventional mlltary assault supported by the provinces of Tay Ninh and Binh Long sponsible vituperation prior to his trip to the most sophisticated military eqUipment. north of Saigon. Moscow, the whole Nation will count the u.s. RESTRAINT These attacks, in which North Vietnam cost. The invasion of Vietnam is a test Throughout the period of build-up for the has committed a major proportion of all its of our national will. The Communists re­ anticipated offensive the U.S. showed great regUlar forces, constitute a partiCUlarly fla­ spect only strength. This is a clear lesson restraint. grant violation of the 1954 Geneva Accords of history. If we fail to accomplish Viet­ The U.S. and South Vietnam have pro­ and of the bombing halt understanding of namization because we are too weak in posed a comprehensive 8-point peace pro­ 1968. our resolve to stem the tide of a gross in­ posal made public on January 25. The U.S. South Vietnam's people and armed forces vasion through the use of our air and proposal Included provisions for a settle­ are defending themselves against power, then we will hardly be in a ment fair to both sides even as we knew that Vietnam's attacks and the United States is North Vietnam's offensive preparations were providing assistance to the South Vietnamese. position to extract binding agreements underway. In considering these developments, It is from the Russians on other areas of the The U.S. leaned over backwards to show essential to note the following points: world. The Nixon doctrine will be under­ our will for peace and genuine desire to THE BOMBING HALT UNDERSTANDING OF 1968 mined at the expense of Japan, the Phil­ bring the confilct to an honorable end. ippines, Thailand, and our other friends But Hanoi responded With a massive in­ On November I, 1968, as a step designed vasion across the Dem1litarized Zone and to help bring meaningfUl negotiations, the in Asia. The President must meet with United States ceased the bombing of North the leaders of the Soviet Union with the With multi-division attacks across the Lao­ tian and Cambodian borders. Vietnam on the basis of an understanding strong support of a united Nation be­ with the North Vietnamese With regard to The U.S. cannot accept the response Hanoi the following elements: hind him. The defeat of this invasion has shoWn towards the Allies' goodWill for and the success of Vietnamization will peace. There would be prompt and productive give credibility to the Nixon doctrine to We have no designs against North Viet­ negotiations to include on our side repre­ our advantage and national stature. nam. Saigon has no designs against North sentatives of the United States and the Re­ Vietnam. public of Vietnam and on the Communist We must withdraw from Vietnam, as side representatives of North Vietnam and we have been doing, in an orderly and But as long as Hanoi persists in this in­ the "National Liberation Front" (NLF). sequenced manner. The invasion threat­ vasion; Saigon's forces will resist it with The Communist forces would not under­ ens this withdrawal, breaks all North every resource they. have. We will support take rocket or shelling attacks against South Vietnamese agreements pertaining to them In their self-defense. Vietnam's major popUlation centers. bombing and the Paris talks, and consti­ HANOI'S CHOICE The status of the Dem1l1tarized Zone on tutes a test of this Nation's will to abide Hanoi's current Invasion has made sense­ both sides of the ProVisional Demarcation by its declared foreign policy. If we fail less any talk of serious negotiations; it has Line established by the 1954 Geneva Accords made senseless any talk on their part that would be respected. In the talks ieading to this test, the Russians and our own our precautionary steps. taken when we the bombing cessation, the U.S. repeatedly friends will scorn or pity us. If we carry knew as early as last November that they made clear that: through, we will be in a position to nego­ were planmng a major military effort, were The U.S. considered respect for tbe DMZ tiate from a position of respectability the cause of the stalemate in the Paris ne­ as a situation in Which there would be no with a cynical and powerful adversary. gotiations. The record is absolutely clear firing 'of artillery, rockets or mortars, from, Mr. President, I ask unanimous con­ with regard to who is responsible for the across and within the DMZ. sent to have several fact sheets and sum­ interruption of the meetings in Paris. There would be no movement of troops maries of the Vietnam situation printed I! Hanoi on the other hand chooses to from, across or Within the DMZ· desist from its countrywide offensive plans, There would be no massing or movement in the RECORD following my remarks. it it desists from its invasion, then the U.S. of troops near the DMZ in a manner threat­ There being no objection, the material ask nothing more than to return to prin­ ening to the other side. was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, Ciples of the 1954 Geneva Accords and re­ Additionally, the United States made clear as follows: spect for the Understanding of 1968. If Hanoi in both public statements and in the private April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13345 talks that It would continue unarmed recon­ ing outside of North Vietnam. But It Is no has overtly made use of her regular forces to naissance lllghts over North Vietnam. be­ longer possible for Hanoi to disguise Its attack South Vietnam through the DMZ. The cause such flights were essential and did not years-long role of total military and polltical enemy forces have been identified as big units constitute acts of force. The U.s. subse­ dominance of the war on the Communist of the 3 NVN Divisions 304, 308, and 324-B. quently made clear that If our reconnais­ side. supported by 3 artlllery regiments and anti­ sance planes were fired upon, they would be It Is Increasingly clearer that Hanoi stlll aircraft units, one tank regiment and several escorted and that the escorting aircraft rejecting serious negotiations and noting surface-to-air missile launchers. would return any fire in protectIve reaction that the South Vietnamese armed forces and This Is eloquent evidence that North strikes. people wer" substantially increasing their Vietnam is the real aggressor and the NLF NORTH VIETNAM'S RECORD strength, saw no option but to openly violate was created only for the purpose of mislead­ In the three and a half years since the Its understandings and agreements and, in Ing world opinion. U.S. bombIng halt, North Vietnam has built violation of the "peoples war" myth, decided North Vietnam has openly crossed the a record of disregard and repeated violations to launch an open Invasion of South Vietnam. DMZ in fiagrant Violation of the 1954 Geneva of the 1968 understandings: THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE RESPONSE Agreements and in disrespect for the secret Hanoi has rejected prompt and serious In the face of this latest and massive North understandings reached in 1968 at the time negotiations as had been agreed in return Vietnamese aggression, the South Vietnam­ of the cessation of the American bombings for this major U.S. step' toward peace. Hanoi ese are determined to repel Hanoi's troops. over North Vietnam. The DMZ, the symbol of and the NFL have, for example, refused to The South Vletramese have brought sub­ a reasonable solution for the two zones pend­ negotiate with the Government of Vietnam, ing a negotiated formula for the eventual stantial mllltary reinforcements to the peaceful :-eunlfication of Vietnam, Is being instead insisting on its dissolution as a pre­ threatened battle areas. requisite to serious negotiations. trampled over the Communist North Viet· President Thleu and all level of govern­ namese who Ul>ed it as a starting point for The North Vetnamese forces have repeat­ ment Including the National Parllament and edly shelled South Vietnam's major cities. provincial and local clvlllan organizations their invasion of South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese have almost from have joined in decrying the North Vietnam­ The Government of the RepUblic of Viet· the outset of the bombing halt fired on the ese invasion and in rallying In defense of nam strongly condemns North Vietnam's pol­ unarmed U.S. reconnaissance aircraft. their territory and their people. . icy of armed aggression against the South. Whlle in Paris the Communist side turned Most clearly at iSS1¥! now Is Hanoi's ex­ The North Vietnamese forces, far from en­ tremely flagrant violation of the 1968 under­ countering a situation of a pro-Communist down all serious discussions ana used the standings on the Demllltarized Zone and of "peoples uprising" are meeting strong and peace talks as a propaganda forum, the North the provisions of the 1954 Geneva Accords united resistance from the South Vietnamese Vietnamese Communists have resorted to all popUlation. forms of armed Insurgency to undermine the establlshing the prOVisional demarcation llne polltical stabillty of South Vietnam and to with a demll1tarlzed bulIer zone on either In a strong demonstration of determina­ occupy the South Vietnamest territory. side. tion and unity, the South Vietnamese people NORTH VIETNAM'S AGGRESSION are working together and are helping each Despite many bitter fallures during the past few years, Communist North Vietnam North Vietnam's recent attacks constitute other, especially with regard to the refugees Is stlll bent on using force for a mllltary the most flagrant and willful violations of created by the Communist attacks. Victory instead of working toward a peace­ the 1968 bombing halt understanding and The Republic of Vietnam has strongly pro­ ful solution thIough negotlaMons. clearly point out North Vietnam's record of teqted North Vietnam's invasion and has ap­ The Government of the Republic of Viet­ aggression against South Vietnam. pealed to its all1es, third countries and the nam appeals to all peoples and governments The North Vietnamese have recently con­ United Nations for help in turning back the in the world to condemn the action of the structed a major new logistics road from invading forces. Communist aggressor and to demand thart North to South Vietnam directly through the THE u.s. RESPONSE North Vietnam immediately withdraw her Demllltarized Zone. The United States regrets that, at the very armed forces back to the North. If North Vi­ The North Vietnamese units Invading time when the Republlc of Vietnam and the etnam keeps on with her aggressive polley. across the Demilltarlzed Zone Included three United States have taken major steps to­ she will have to bear fUll responsibillties for regular army divlslons--the 304th, the 308th ward peace, Including the comprehensive and any consequences that might result from and the 324-B Divisions. fair peace proposals made pUbllc on January her action. The North Vietnamese army divisions were 25, 1972, Hanoi has chosen to emphasize the The Communist aggressors have sUlIered accompanied by sophisticated support path of war rather than the p9,th of peace. severe casualties in their recent attacks. The units-3 artillery regiments, a tank regiment In the face of the North Vietnamese at­ people and the Governrr.ent of the RepUblic and anti-aircraft equipment Including sur· tacks, the Un~ted States Is providing air of Vietnam are determined to break 01I any face-to-alr missiles. power and naval gunfire support in direct olIensive or belllcose actions of the enemy, to Southwest of the invasion area at the De­ response to the needs of the tactical situa­ protect the national territory and to consoli­ militarized Zone, North Vietnamese units tion. No. U.S. ground forces have been com­ date peace in freedom. crossing the Laotian border into South Viet­ mitted. TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING ON U.S. BOMBING nam have l..unched attacks west of the city The United States also is prOViding such of Hue and against the highland positions help as is appropriate In providing care for HALT west of Kontum. the refugees and clvlllan casualties caused FollovAng are statements on the publlc Northwest of Saigon, North Vietnamese by the North Vietnamese attacks. record by senior officials of the Johnson Ad· regiments crossing the Cambodian border The United States stands ready, together ministration concerning the understanding into South Vietnam have launched attacks with the Government of the Republic of with the Government of North Vietnam on against Tay Nlnh Province and against Loc Vietnam, to work for an early end to the the terms of the U.S. bombing halt of Octo­ Nlnh and An Loc In Blnh Long Province. flghting and for a just peace in Indochina. ber 31, 1968. In their attacks the North Vietnamese PRESIDENI' JOHNSON, ADDRESS TO THE NATION, forces have indiscriminately used their long­ GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM OCTOBER 31, 1969 range artillery and rockets against densely COMMUNIQUE ON NORTH VIETNAM'S INVA­ Last Sunday evening, and throughout Mon­ populated areas, Including refugee centers, in SION-ApRIL 3, 1972 an elIort to terrorize and demorallze the day, we began to get confirmation of the clvlllan popUlation. Over the past few days, many North Viet­ essential understanding that we had been namese regular units have openly crossed the seeking with the North Vietnamese on the NORTH VIETNAM NEGATES ~'PEOPLES WAR" Demllitarized Zone to attack the Republlc crltical issues between Ul> for some time. I Hanoi's decision to commit her divisions of Vietnam's outposts in the demarcation spent mo~t of all day Tuesday reviewing every to a massive invasion of South Vietnam area. Indiscriminate shelllng of the densely Single detall of this matter with our field across International borders totally negates populated areas by long-range artlllery and commander. General Abrams.... Now, as a Hanoi's characterization of its wars In Indo­ rockets have resulted in severe damages to result of all of these developments, I have china as local clvll war insurgencies or the civllian population. Thousands of people now ordered that all air, naval, and artlllery "peoples wars." had to flee to more secure areas in Quang bombardment of North Vietnam cease as of All but one of North Vietnam's 14 regular Tri and Thua Thien Provinces. 8 a.m., Washington time, Friday morning. army divlslo~ has now been committed be­ In addition to continuing infiltrations by • • yond North Vietnam's borders In conducting the North Vietnamese Communists, this at­ This decision very Closely conforms to the aggressive wars against Laos, Cambodia and tack is part of the enemy's olIenslve and his statements that I have made In the past con­ South Vietnam. attempt to occupy the territory of the Re­ cerning a bombing cessation. The North Vietnamese operation across publlc of Vietnam below the demarcation It was on August 19th that the President the Demllltarized Zone Is clearly as open area. said: "This administration does not Intend invasion by conventional military forces sup­ The Government of the RepUbliC of Viet­ to move further until it has good reason to ported by sophisticated foreign equipment. nam stronglY protests against this blatant believe that the other side intends seriously­ In North Vietnam's current attacks, the invasion by Communist North Vietnam and ously"-serloUl>ly-"to join us in deescalat­ role of the indigenous southern Viet Cong denounces it to world public opinion. ing the war and moving seriously toward forces has been negllglble. Hanoi and its North Vietnam no longer dlsgulses herself peace," NLF spokesmen are still continuing to deny under the facade of the so-called "National Then again on September 10th, I said: that any North Vietnamese troops are fight. Liberation Front of South Vietnam" and ••. the bombing will not stop untU we are 13346 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE April 19, 1972 confident that it will not lead to an increase bombing halt and the announcement of the the DMZ area. They have not removed all of in American casualties. agreement of the 31st that the South Viet­ their forces from the area. I am hopeful that • • namese Government would not go along with we can make an agreement With them when What we now expect-what we have a right the talks in Paris and would you speak to the sessions get going to honor the DMZ, as to expect-are prompt, prOductive, serious, whether you think the Scuth Vietnamese we call it, and also, to fulfill what we have and intensive negotiations in an atmosphere Government has dealt brusquely with our told them we would expect of them on any that is conducive to progress. We have diplomats? bombardment of the major cities. reached the stage where productive talks can Answer: ... Now, also in addition to that, ••• * begin. We have made clear to the other side Saigon was kept fUlly posted on what the The agreement was very clear, that we that such talks cannot continue if they take other arrangements were that we were work­ made it plain that the serious talks could m1l1tary advantage of them. We cannot have ing toward; that is, some understanding not continue, nor the cessation of bombing, productive talks in an t1tm05phere where the about the DMZ; and understanding with if they didn't honor the DMZ and the in­ cities are being shelled and where the demili­ reference to the cities. We went through discriminate shelling of the major cities. tarized zone is being abused. long talks having to do with reconnaissance. CLARK CLIFFORD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, FACE I think I should caution you, my fellow They were kept fully informed. THE NATION CBS-TV, DECEMBER 15, 1698 Americans, that arrangements of this kind NICHOLAS KATZENBACH, ACTI:

MARCH 14, 1969, NEWS CONFERENCE draw an additional 150,000 Americans from site Which supports it also be' destroyed by It will be my polley as President to Issue Viet Nam over the next year. I said then that bombing. That is my understanding. a warning only once, and I wlll not repeat it I was making tliat declsion despite our con­ Beyond that, there is another understand­ now. Anything in the future that Is done cern over Increased enemy activity in Laos, ing with regard to the bombing of North wlll be done. There w1ll be no additional In Cambodia, and In South Viet Nam. Vietnam Which at a number of these press warning. At that time, I warned that l! I concluded conferences and In my speeCh on Novem­ We have Issued a warning. I will not warn that Increased enemy activity in any of these ber 3rd and In four televised speeches to the again. If we conclude that the level of cas­ areas endangered the Uves of Americans re­ Nation last year, I have stated. I restate it ualties is higher than we should tolerate, maining in Viet Nam, I would not hesitate to again tonlgh·t. At a time when we are With­ take strong and effective measures to deal drawing from South Vietnam, it Is vitally action \\111 take place. with that situation. Important that the President of the United NOVEMBER 3, 1969, ADDRESS TO THE NATION Despite that warning, North Viet Nam has States, as Commander in Chief, take the It the level of inflltration or our casual­ increased Its mllltary aggression In all these action that Is necessary to protect our re­ ties increase while we are trying to scale areas, and particularly In Cambodia. maining forces, because the number of our down the fighting, it wlll be the result of a MAY 8, 1970, NEWS CONFERENCE ground combat forces Is going down very, conscious decision by the enemy. very steadily. Hanoi could make no greater mistake than I am not going to speculate as to what Now It, as a result of my conclusion that to assume that an increase In violence wlll the North Vietnamese may do. I wUl only the North Vietnamese, by their infiltration, be to Its advantage. It I conclude that In­ say that If the North Vietnamese did what threaten our remaining forces, If they thereby creased enemy action jeopardizes our re­ some have suggested they might do--move develop a capacity and proceed possibly to maining forces in Vietnam, I shall not hesi­ a massive force of 250,000 to 300,000 across use that capacity to increase the level of tate to take strong and effective measures to the DMZ against our Marine Corps people fighting In South Vietnam, then I will order deal with that situation. who are there-I would certainly not allow the bombing of mllltary sites In North Viet­ these men to be massacred without using This Is not a threat. This is a statement nam, the passes that lead from North VIet­ of polley Which as Commander In Chief of more force and more effective force against nam Into South Vietnam, the mllltary com­ our Armed Forces I am making In meeting North Vietnam. plexes and the military supply llnes. That I think we have warned the leaders of will be the reaction that I shall take. my responslblllty for the protection of Amer­ North Vietnam on this point several times, Ican fighting men wherever they may be. and because we have warned them I do not JANUARY 4, 1971, NEWS CONFERENCE DECEMBER 15, 1969, ADDRESS TO THE NATION belleve they wllI move across the DMZ. ... I have no desire to resume the bomb­ However, I have conslsterutly said we must Ing of North Vietnam. We do not want to go JUNE 3, 1970, INTERIM REPORT TO THE NATION back to the bombing of the strategic targets take risks for peace. ON CAMBODIA And in that connection, let me remind the in North Vietnam, and we do not want even To the North Vietnamese tonight I say to bomb military targets unless It becomes leaders in Hanoi that if their infiltration again: The door to a negotiated peace re­ and the level of enemy activity Increases necessary to do so, and this Is the key polnt­ whlle we are reducing our forces they also mains Wide open. Every offer we have made to protect American forces. at the conference table, publicly or privately, Now, With regard to the understanding, Will be running a risk. I repeat the statement I herewith reaffirm. We are ready to negoti­ I made in my speech on November 3. let's see What It is. First, there was an un­ Hanoi coUld make no greater mistake than ate whenever they are ready to negotiate. derstanding. President Johnson said so, Dean However, if their answer to our troop Rusk said so, Clark Clifford said so, Mr. Har­ to assume that an increase in violence wlll Withdrawal program and to our offer to be to Its advantage. It I conclude that in­ riman said so. There was an understanding negotiate, is to Increase their attacks In a that after the bombing halt, the unarmed re­ creased enemy action jeopardizes our re­ way that jeopardizes the safety of our re­ maining forces in Vietnam, I shall not hesi­ connaissance planes coUld fly over North VI­ maining forces in Vietnam, I shall, as my etnam with Impunity. We had to Insist on tate to take strong and effective measures to action five weeks ago Clearly demonstrated, deal with that situation. that, because otherwise, we would have no take strong and effective measures to deal Intelligence With regard to what they were JANUARY 30, 1970, NEWS CONFERENCE with that situation. planning on an attack. We are continuing to watch the situation, JULY 1, 1970, TV INTERVIEW So, when they fire on those planes I have and we will be prepared to deal with it. I given instruotions that we wUl take out the Now coming back to your question, flrst, SAM site or whatever it Is that has fired upon woUld remind everybody concerned, and par­ when you talk about re-escalatlon, we do ticularly remind the enemy, however, of What them. We will continue to do so, and It they not plan to go back Into Cambodia. We do say there Is no understanding in that re­ I said on November 3, and repeated on plan, however, and I will use this power-I December 15. If at a time that we are at. spect, then there are no restraints whatever am going to use, as I shoUld, the air power of on us, and so we must have that in mind. tempting to de-escalate the fighting in Viet­ the United States to interdict all flows of nam, we find that they take advantage of Now, the other understanding Is one that men and supplles which I consider are di­ I have laid down. It is a new one. It Is a our troop withdrawals to jeopardize the re­ rected toward South Vietnam. That Is In my mainder of our forces by escalating the fight­ new one which goes along with our Vletnam­ role of defending American men. izat10n program and our withdrawal pro­ ing, then we have the means and I w1l1 be Now let's look at the other posslblllties prepared to use those means strongly to deal gram..•. Now, the President of the United of the escalation. For example, we have a States, as Commander in Chief, owes a re­ with that situation, more strongly than we bombing pause In the north. as you note. have dealt with It in the past. sponslbUity to those men (Americans re­ As you also note, one of what was called maining in Vietnam) to see that they are FEBRUARY IS, 1970, ANNUAL REPORT TO the understandings when that bombing not subjected to an overwhelming attack CONGRESS pa\lse was entered Into was that American from the North. That Is Why we must con­ reconnaissance flights coUld take place over The Government of North Vietnam could tinue reconnaissance, and that is why also, North Vietnam so that we could determine If the enemy at a time we ale trying to de­ make no gerater mistake than to assume that whether or not they were planning a new an Increase in violence would be to Its ad­ escalate, at a time we are withdra.wing, starts attack, and those reconnaissance filghts to build up Its Infiltration, starts !r.ovfng vantage. As I said on November 3, and have were supposed to be Immune from attack. repeated since, It I conclude that increased troops and supplies through the Mu GIll. Now consistently the North Vietnamese Pass and the other passes, then I, as Com­ enemy action jeopardizes our remaining have been shooting at those planes. In fact forces In Vietnam, I Will not hesitate to take mander in Chief, Will have to order bombing at the time we embarked on the Aprll 30th strikes on those key areas. strong and effective measures to deal With operation, I ordered some attacks on some that situation. That was one of the reasons for t1;l.Is strike, sites In North Vietnam which had been and it will be done again If they continue APRIL 20, 1970, ADDRESS TO THE NATION shooting our planes. If those attacks shoUld to threaten our remaining forces in Viet­ But I again remind the leaders of North now develop again, I w1ll, of course, use our nam. But only on those mUltary targets, and Vietnam that while we are taking these risks American air power against North Vietnam only If necessary. for peace, they Will be taking grave risks sites that attack our planes. That Is my •*•• shoUld they attempt to use the occasion to responsibllity, to defend American boys­ I made It clear not just a month ago, but Jeopardize the security of our remaining American men, our boys when they do come in November, you may recall that on Novem­ forces In Vietnam by Increased milltary ac­ under attack. ber 3rd, when I made my speech on Novem­ tion in Vietnam, in Cambodia or In Laos. Now when you talk about re-escalatlon In ber 3rd, I warned the North Vietnamese then I repeat What I said November 3d and other terms, I do not see that presently as that If at a time we were withdraWing they December 15th. If I conclUde that increased a posslblllty, presently in terms of what the stepped up their infiltration and threatened enemy action jeopardizes our remaining North Vietnamese may be able to do and our remaining forces, that I would retaliate. forces in Vietnam, I shall not hesitate to take what we would do in action to It. I have said that on eight different oc­ casions on national television and national strong and effective measures to deal With DECEMBER 10, 1970, NEWS CONFERENCE that situation. radio. I have said It also in other messages If our planes are fired upon, I will not to them that have gotten to them very lOUd APRIL 30, 1970, ADDRESS TO THE NATION only order that they return the fire, but I and very clear. So there is no question about Ten days ago, In my report to the Nation will order that the missile site be destroyed the understanding, and that was why we on Viet Nam, I announced a decls10n to wlth- and that the military complex around that did this. . 13348 , CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE April 19, 1972 MARCH 4, 1971, NEWS CONFERENCE to continue our air strikes on the infiltra­ dent has initiated the bombing, follow­ .... I have stated on 10 different oc­ tion routes. If we see any substantial step­ up in infiltration in the passes, for example, ing the aggressive action of the North casions, usually, and before press confer­ Vietnamese, in an effort to protect ences in which you ladies and gentlemen Which lead from North Vietnam into Laos have participated, that in two respects we and, of course, the Laotian trail which comes American for,ces, in an effort to start would use airpower against the North. One, down through Cambodia into South Viet­ negotiations, in an effort to end our that we would attack those missile sites nam-If we see that, we wlll have to not only involvement in Southeast Asia. that fired at our planes, and we have been continue our air strikes; we wlll have to step Oh, yes, the junior Senator from them up. Kansas is for peace. Make no mistake doing that. We wUl continue to do that. That is why I have been quite categorical Second, that if I determined that increased with regard to tha.t situation because as about it. Who is not for peace? infiltration from North Vietnam 'mdangered the number of our forces goes down, their The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time our remaining forces in South Vietnam at a danger increases, and we are not going to of the Senator has expired. time we were withdrawing, that I would allow the enemy to pounce on them by rea­ Who yields time? order attacks on the supply routes, on the son of our fallure to use airpower against Mr. CRANSTON. Mr. President, I infiltration routes, on the mUltary com­ increased Infiltration, if it occurs. plexes, and I have done that in the past. yield 4 minutes of Senator HART'S time And I shall do so again if I determine that JANUARY 2, 1972, CBS TV INTERVIEW to the Senator from Illinois. such activities by North Vietnam may en­ Question: ... On everyone's mind Is the (At this point Mr. CRANSTON assumed danger our remaining forces in South Viet­ resumption of the widespread bombing of the chair,) nam, particularly as we are Withdrawing. North Vietnam. Other than what we already Mr. STEVENSON, Mr. President, from Now, the third question is this one­ know from. the authorities in Saigon and the beginning of this tragic chapter in whether or not the United States, through what Secretary Laird has said, could you as­ American hsitory it has been said that its airpower, might support a South Viet­ sess the military benefits of that? namese operation against North Vietnam. Answer: With regard to the military bene­ we must fight for freedom in South Viet­ And the answer to that is that no such fits, let me say first why we did it. You were nam. All the other reasons for the war plan is under consideration in this Govern­ present in the White House Press Room, a.a have been stripped away. No one serious­ ment. you always are, when I was there making the ly claims the POW's will be released by • last troop withdrawal announcement which prolonging the war. The war only in­ Question: Mr. President, on the subject of will bring the troops dOWn to 139,000 by the creases their numbers. We do not hear enemy missiles, the North Vietnamese seem first of February. And, at that time, I said any longer of the domino theory-or to be using more and perhaps a different that in the event that the enemy stepped up that our own shores are in danger. It is type of missile shooting at American planes its infiltration, or engaged In other activi­ ties which imperiled, in my opinion, our only claimed now that we must fight for supporting the Laos operation. ' the freedom and self-determination of I'm wondering if this is of unusual alarm remaining forces as our forces were becom­ to you and if you have any special retaliation ing less, that I would take action to deal the people of South Vietnam. other than bombing that you Intend to take? with the situation. That is the only argument left for this Answer: We are following that very Closely, Most of you reported it. And most of the war. But the truth is we are fighting in and it is not unusually alarming. We expect reporters also wrote it. I meant exactly what Vietnam to prop up a corrupt, auto­ the enemy to improve Its capablllties just I said. The enemy did step up its infiltration. cratic regime. as we Improve ours. And we are prepared to They violated the understanding of 1968 From the 1954 Geneva accords to the take the protective reaction measures which when the bombing halt was agreed to, with present, one administration after an­ wil deal very effectively with It. But I can regard to firing on our unarmed reconnais­ say It will not be tit for tat. sance planes. They shelled Saigon on De­ other has disdained, or ignored, every cember 19. chance to let the people of South Viet­ •• • Under those circumstances, I had no other nam determine their own future. We Question: Sir, In speaking of the poten­ choice but to bomb, in this case, selected tialities of action against North Vietnam, you had that chance in 1956 elections. mllltary targets and supply bulld-up areas. Throughout the 1950's and into the were talking on the third point about the Those were the only areas that were hit. possiblllty of American air suport for a South 1960's, Indochina might have been neu­ Vietnamese attack. You said that no such Mr. DOLE. I have listened and I have tralized and the people given a chance plan is under consideration in this Govern­ listened and I have listened, and I have to resolve their differences. Mr. Nixon ment? Can you go any further than that, or yet to hear anyone in this body advance a recently suggested free elections-but he Is that all you wish to say about it? waited until after the rigged elections in Answer: ... I can say further that no such plan. We had the same outcry at the time plan has ever been suggested by President of the Cambodian invasion. We were Vietnam were all over, and then sug­ Thieu to us. None has been considered, and there trying to protect American forces, gested that the North lay down its arms, none is under consideration. and casualties were dramatically reduced. give up the POW's and participate in an I'm not going to go further than that, ex­ Vietnamization was kept on schedule. election it could not win. cept to state what I did state in that press But at the time of the Cambodia oper­ At every step of the way we have conference where you also were present ation Richard Nixon was portrayed as sought a military solution. We once de­ again, that the test as to what the United an escalator; he was escalating the war. fended the South Vietnam regime with States will do In North Vietnam, in any 500,000 grounds troops. Now we defend event, wlll always be not what happens to So the debate today is nothing new. The forces of South Vietnam, but it will be hearings in the Senate Foreign Rela­ it with billions of more dollars and sup­ whether or not the President as Commander tions Committee are nothing new. The port forces. Half the 7th Fleet is now off in Chief considers that North Vietnamese American people have come to expect the coast of that tiny country. Soon half actiVities are endangering or may endanger this. of all our attack aircraft carriers will be the American forces as we continue to I think it is time that we recognize in the Vicinity. We may soon have 47,­ withdraw. the facts. I do not mean that President 000 men on 47 major naval vessels­ It is then and only then that I w1ll use Nixon is above criticism. and more men in more B-52's. airpower against mllltary complexes on the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time We have dropped 600 pounds of bombs borders of North Vietnam. of the Senator has expired. on Vietnam for every man, woman, and NOVEMBER 12, 1971, NEWS CONFERENCE Mr. DOLE. I will tal~e back one of the child in Indochina. Since Mr. Nixon took Question: Mr. President, with the condi­ minutes I was going to give away. office the United States has dropped tions that you know now in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, can you foresee in the near The President probably does not have more bombs in Vietnam than in the Ko­ future a substantial diminution of American a perfect record in South Vietnam or in rean and Second World Wars combined. airpower use in support of the Vietnamese? any other area, but I think it does little Since then, 20,000 Americans have died, Answer: Well, airpower of course, as far as good for us to stand in the Senate and 110,000 have been wounded, 340,000 our use of it is concerned, wlll continue to condemn any President, whether it be Asians have died in the conflict. The be used longer than our ground forces, due to the fact that training Vietnamese to handle Johnson, Kennedy, or Nixon, for the war has caused 600,000 civilian casualties the aircraft takes the longest lead time, as war in Southeast Asia. The junior Sen­ and made 4 million peopl~ refugees-just we know, and we will continue to use it in ator from Kansas supported President since Mr. Nixon took office. support of the South Vietnamese until there Kennedy. Perhaps I was mistaken. The And why-but to prop up one dictator­ Is a negotiated settlement or, looking fur­ junior Senator from Kansas supported ther down the road, until the South Viet­ ship in a distant corner of the earth. If namese have developed the capabillty to President Johnson. Perhaps I was mis­ that regime enjoyed the support of the handie the situation themselves. taken. That was during periods of esca­ people of South Vietnam it could depend As far as our alrpower is concerned, let me lation, and I am proud to support my for its survival upon that support-not also say this: As we reduce the number of President today, in a period of de­ upon American ground troops, helicopter our forces, it is particularly important for us escalation. I am proud that the Presi- gun ships, B-52's, and aircraft carriers. April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -SENATE 13349 The truth is that we now fight North bargaining power. It may soon be too the danger of another Battle of the Vietnam and South Vietnam, Commu­ late. Bulge. nists and non-Communists, nationalists, Mr. COOPER. Mr. President, what I Thus, I support wholly the authority all committed, as they have been for shall say today in the few minutes made of the President to protect U.S. troops, decades, to driving out the foreigner and available to me represents my own think­ and I cannot see how anyone in this body his client, How else can it be explained ing. I do not question the position or the or anywhere else 10 the country would that North Vietnam with only about $400 concern of any other Senator who has not want to do so. million in military aid during 1971 can spoken here today. I have stated my position on the bomb­ wage war. And South Vietnam with $1.5 All of us are concerned about the war. ing of Haiphong and Hanoi. But, what billion in military aid and $11 billion for All of us are concerned about the awfUl­ do we do about the protection of our the support of American forces wages de­ ness of war. I heard the eloquent speech forces? As long as our forces are 10 feat, The people of South Vietnam have of our colleague from Iowa (Senator danger, resolutions the Senate might no will to fight. They want peace-and HUGHES) speak of the awfulness of war consider would serve no useful purpose, to see the Americans gone. and the value of life and I agree with or have any practical effect except to The war was not won in the past by him. limit the protection of our forces. There American bombs-it will not be won to­ I have been concerned about war in is no way 10 the world we can withdraw day nor tomorrow by bombs. Southeast Asia for many years, begin­ our troops 10 30 days, We all know that. The bombing only fortifies the de­ ning in 1954. I shall not detail the various But when this phase is passed, and I termination of the enemy. It only con­ efforts which I have made, along with hope it will pass, when our forces are tinues the bloodshed, and brings down other Senators, to reduce the war, to out of danger, it is up to Congress to upon the United States the contempt of limit its expansion and bring about its consider what it wants to do. I do not the world. end. I shall mention only one. believe, other than to state a policy, that I suppose the North Vietnamese will Last year, when the Defense Authori­ amendments to provide that if our pris­ withdraw, before the monsoons, and then zation Act was before the Senate for con­ oners of war are released, our troops will the administration will claim a great sideration, the distinguished Senator be withdrawn will be effective. Those victory for Vietnamization. In fact, this from Idaho (Mr. CHURCH) and I, Sena­ criticizing the President for linking the invasion only proves again the moral, tor CASE, and other Senators offered an withdrawal of our forces to the release political, and military bankruptcy of amendment requiring the complete with­ of our prisoners offer amendments with Vietnamization, It proves again that a that same policy. If we are to do any­ corrupt, autocratic regime in South Viet­ drawal of all our forces from Vietnam thing at some point, the only recourse nam cannot stand up against a tenacious and for their protection as they with­ we have is an amendment calling for the enemy without American support. That drew. It was defeated by one vote. On withdrawal of our troops. I return to enemy has fought for 30 years. It will be reconsideration, it was defeated by three the reality of today. When our forces back again and again and again until or four votes. are under threat of attack and actual at­ the foreigner and his South Vietnamese Nevertheless, despite my long concern tack, they must be protected. The powers vassal are gone. with this war-as all of us are-there are bill which we have just passed in the Vietnamization is a policy for staying certain facts which do stand out. The Senate, states the constitutional auth­ in, not for getting out. It is a prescrip­ fact is that our military involvement in ority of the President to repel or to tion for more of the same. It is a pre­ Vietnam began in 1962. It began in Laos forestall an attack. We will surely live scription for failure. And it runs the risk in 1963. It reached major proportions in up to it in this critical time. of escalating the war. The bombing in the 1965, and in 1966 through 1968, with a Mr. COOPER subsequently said: Mr. North invites retaliation. It threatens the total of 550,000 American troops involved President, there has been much discus­ President's visit to Russia. It threatens in full-scale war. Since 1969, our forces sion in the Foreign Relations Committee the possibilities for liberalizing trade with have been reduced to approximately and in the continuing debate on negoti­ the Soviet Union and for reaching agree­ 80,000. ations, as if there had been any negotia­ ment on the control of strategic arms. I want to speak about the immediate tions. Far from intimidating the Soviet Union, situation. I agree that the question is, I have long held the position that ne­ Mr. Nixon's desperation will redouble the what can be done about it? gotiation is the best way, the· only cer­ determination of the Soviet Union, and In hearings before the Committee on tain way, to end all fighting in Vietnam, of the People's Republic of China, to sup­ Foreign Relations over the past 2 days, Laos and Cambodia, and settle for a port HanoI. and in my communications with the ad­ time at least the issues in Indo-China. And why? Why must we go on tearing ministration, I have stated that I am But thhe is another incontrovertible ourselves apart at home-all for the sake fearful of our attacks against Hanoi and fact that I intended to mention in my of fighting on for that corrupt military the port of Haiphong; first, because of earlier statement today. It is that the regime in Saigon. What explains the in­ the possible consequenct:s which could North Vietnamese have never been will­ fatuation of this administration with dic­ enlarge the war; and, second, because ing in nearly 4 years at the Paris talks tators? Not so long ago it sided with an­ I think that, unless the bombing of Hanoi to negotiate substantively. other-Yahya Khan, and his campaign and Haiphong is directly connected with Mr. HANSEN. Mr. President, I yield of human butchel'j' in Bangladesh. And the defense of our troops, it is without as much time as may be required to the the results were disastrous. authority, distinguished Senator from Virginia (Mr. It will be a better day when we learn But, very little has been said in this HARRY F. BYRD, JRJ • that the United States never became debate and, I may say, in the press and Mr. HARRY F. BYRD, JR. Mr. Presi­ great in the world by bribing and cajol­ other news media, about a matter of dent, in the debate today, there are cer­ ing its way, bullying innocent people, deep concern, and that is the question tain facts that I feel should be propping up dictators, merchandising of the protection of our troops-our emphasized. > arms, fighting wars for corrupt and men-who are still in Vietnam. There First, Let me say that unlike some of autocratic regimes. It would be better if are, I think, approximatelY 80,000 there my colleagues now condemning President we recognized that morality and our own now, including a small number of com­ Nixon and the war in Vietnam, I have self-interest can coincide. bat troops. stated in the Senate and throughout Vir­ This war has taken a terrible toll in For the first time in the war, about ginia for 5 or 6 years-from the begin­ blood, in dollars, and in our honor and 100,000 men from North Vietnam have ning-that the use of American ground self-respect, too. invaded South Vietnam 10 a full scale troops in Southeast Asia was a grave It "ill be a better day when we agree attack. error of judgment. to withdraw all our ground troops and Anyone who knows anyth10g about But President Nixon did not commit cease all overt military activities in ex­ war, anyone who has read anything these troops; his predecessors did. change for the return of our men now about war, knows that if the advance is When he took office there were 550,000 held hostage in the North. Mr. Nixon's not stopped, the safety of American Americans in Vietnam. By the end of this policy day by day diminishes the possi­ troops remaining 10 Vietnam would be month he will have reduced this number bilities for such a political settlement. It threatened. It might mean an evacuation to 69,000. escalates the war while it reduces our such as at Dunkirk 10 World War II, or So, the facts are that President Nixon 13350 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE April 19, 1972 has made progress in disengaging from tured-COSVN No. 43~imply amplify cisely what the Communists want. It will Vietnam. upon the obvious according to COSVIN be a sad day, indeed, if America should South Vietnam troops now have full No. 43, North Vietnam intends to achieve ever stoop to making such an offer, be­ responsibility for the ground fighting. the takeover of South Vietnam by using cause if we do we will be compromising We must continue to disengage. this invasion to tie down the South Viet­ the very principles of freedom and self­ Who has been the aggressor in this namese army. Then, according to the determination for which our forefathers, war for the past 10 years? The answer plan, the Hanoi directed and supported fathers, and sons have fought and died is clear. North Vietnam and its agents in terrorists in the south will be able to ever since this Nation was founded. If the South, the Vietcong. carry out guerrilla operations that will we are ever to live up to our past great­ Who is the aggressor now? The answer take over the country. The course of the ness in this Southeast Asia business, now is unmistakably clear-North Vietnam. conflict since March 30 indicates that is the time to do it, for if we have the By large-scale invasions of the South­ Hanoi is doing its utmost to carry out willpower to convince the Communists this time unmasked-North Vietnam has this plan; the fact that it is not work­ that we have not lost our sense of cour­ deliberately invited retaliation. ing is a strong indication of the deter­ age and commitment, then we ",ill have For the first time since President John­ mination of the South Vietnamese to re­ done far more for the cause of peace son halted ltle bombing in 1968, North sist this threat to their freedom. than any talk of unilateral U.S. with­ Vietnam-contrary to its agreements­ What we have here, therefore, is no drawal from Vietnam, ever could do. has violated in a massive way the de­ civil war, no spontaneous Vietcong upris­ As it stands now, the North Vietnam­ militarized zone. ing, and no indigenous guerrilla warfare ese are not going to agree to anything Let nothing that is being said here to­ situation. This invasion is all part of a less than total victory. We owe it to our­ day obscure those fundamental facts, or bold, blatant eITort by one nation to take selves, and to the people of South Viet­ give the impression that the Senate of over another in direct violation of not nam, to convince them to drop this ob­ the United States does not care about only the 1954 Geneva accords but also jective and leave South Vietnam in peace. the basic issues of right and wrong in of the generous 1968 agreements that The quickest way we can accomplish this matter. brought an end to U.S. bombing of North that, is to reject the North Vietnamese What we are debating here-or should Vietnam. What it really represents is a clamor for resumption of peace talks un­ be debating-is the effectiveness and desperate attempt to bring to a success­ til such time as Hanoi turns its divisions consequences of U.S. air and sea power ful conclusion years of calculated effort around and marches them back to North as used in aiding our allies, and ho~ far to subordinate the people of South Viet­ Vietnam. Critics of our present Vietnam we should go in applying that power. nam to Communist rule. To those who policy should take note that one week­ For my part, I think the South Viet­ have believed, or wanted to believe, that end of bombing has done more to en­ namese people, their armed forces, and this was some sort of a civil war, the courage North Vietnam to think about their government must meet this new truth about the aggressive intentions of negotiations than have years of discus­ challenge and must now shoulder the the North Vietnamese Communists can sion about the withdrawal of U.S. troops major responsibility and prove their no longer be avoided or denied. The only from Vietnam. In the interests of peace, mettle. U.S. forces cannot permanently question that remains is whether we are therefore, we should indicate to the lead­ protect them. going to throw in the towel or whether ers in Hanoi that if their brazen inva­ I! they are to maintain their freedom, we are going to help the South Viet­ sion of the south does not cease they can they must meet this challenge them­ namese in their efforts to prevent being expect nothing but an intensification of selves, knowing that the United States is overrun by Communist aggression. In my the bombing of North Vietnam. not deserting them, but that we are de­ opinion, there is only one alternative­ The same realistic attitude should be termined to return to them the respon­ to continue to resist such flagrant ag­ applied to any threats to the lives of our sibility which only they them.selves can gression until Hanoi gives it up. If noth­ POW's that the North Vietnamese might permanently discharge. ing else, the experience of the 1930's make. I! such threats are forthcoming, Within these limits, I believe the Com­ should suggest the wisdom of this course. Hanoi should be told in no uncertain mander in Chief must have latitude to At this point the evidence is totally terms that the killing of one American determine the degree of U.S. power­ and unmistakably clear as to who started POW will mean the bombing of the seat ruling out ground troops-to be applied this war, as to who has prolonged it, of government in Hanoi. In short, it at this juncture, with the understanding and as to who will settle for nothing less should be made very clear to the people that he refrain from a permanent es­ than complete Victory. However, the rec­ who have been responsible for all this calation of our air and naval roles and ord also shows, beyond a shadow of a bloodshed and killing, that they will be continue his announced policy of grad­ doubt, that the United States has made held accountable for any future brutal­ ual military disengagement. every eITort-gone the extra mile, in ities, either against the people of South Mr. HANSEN. Mr. President, I yield fact-to end the war in general and our Vietnam or against our prisoners of war. to the Senator from 10 minutes. combat participation in partiCUlar. Since For too long now we have been hear­ Mr. GURNEY. Mr. President, I have President Nixon took office, the number ing about how terrible our bombing is 10 minutes of my own time. However, I of American troops has declined from and how, by our involvement, we are would not want to take it out of the time 540,000 to the present 85,000. In addition, somehow responsible for all the blood­ of the Senator from Wyoming. The Sena­ the President has made every effort to shed in Southeastern Asia. I, for one, tor from Wyoming has graciously agreed negotiate a peaceful settlement. He has am sick of it. This invasion leaves no to let me speak at this time. offered an areawide cease-fire, he has of­ doubt as to who has been responsible The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen­ fered to withdraw American troops, he for this war all along and clearly ex­ ator from Florida does have 10 minutes. has even offered economic assistance to plains their objectives in fighting it. Mr. GURNEY. Mr. President, on North Vietnam after a settlement, which It is Hanoi who has provoked the blood­ March 30, North Vietnam launched an many of us, including this Senator, have shed; it is Hanoi that is responsible for obvious, all-out invasion of South Viet­ great reservations about, he and Presi­ the 36,000 South Vietnamese civilians nam in order, by their own admission, to dent Thieu have offered to hold new elec­ killed by acts of terrorism since 1960; achieve total Victory. To that end they tions, he has made peace oITers publicly it is Hanoi that is to blame for the 5,700 have thrown in practically all of their and he has entered into peace negotia­ civilians who were murdered at Hue in regular forces-at least 12 of their 14 tions privately. And what has been the 1968; and it is Hanoi that is so ruthless regular army divisions totaling over 100.­ reSUlt-refusal by Hanoi to consider any in its desire to achieve victory that it 000 men-and considerable armor and type of peaceful settlement other than would send its tank drivers into combat artillery, most of it supplied by the So­ one that would turn South Vietnam over to the Communists lock, stock, and chained to their seats. viet Union. Through their 20th party This is no democratic government we Congress, in their radio broadcasts, and barrel. by their 'public statements calling for a As a matter of fact, the President has are dealing with; this is a ruthless dic­ "government of national accord" in done everything but one thing, that the tatorship intent on conquering not only South Vietnam, the leaders in Hanoi "doves" of over the years have suggested South Vietnam but, by its own admis­ have confirmed their aggressive objec­ he do-and all to no avail. The only sion, all of Indochina. It is a govern­ tives beyond a shadow of a doubt. Their thing he has not offered is the total sur­ that w111 use whatever means it feels directives, one of which has been cap- render of South Vietnam which is pre- necessary to achieve its ends. The killings April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 13351 I have just mentioned "ere not an un­ nocent brings some to a near hystelical If this happened, the bombing would avoidable result of combat, but were pitch \\ith their one-sided inclimina­ stop, the war would end, all U.S. forces deliberate acts of terrorism and brutality tions. would complete the withdrawal; all pris­ carried out to achieve political and mili­ Obviously, the bombing of specific mil­ oners could be repatriated; and all the tary ends. Such activities, and the people itary targets in the Hanoi-Haiphong innocent people of Southeast Asia on who order them, deserve no sympathy, no area has not been aimed at innocents. whatever side could be free of the plague sanctuary, and no stinting of effort in But a major sorrow of war is that some of war visited on them by the single­ opposition. We should feel no guilt in innocents are likely to be caught in even minded tyrants of Hanoi. doing all we can to help the people of the most precise bombing. It is belieVed Let all of us in the Senate demonstrate South Vietnam repel such an invader that the predawn timing of the first to those in Hanoi, who bear the primary from their midst. The cause of world allied attack greatly reduced the possi­ responsibility for the killing, that we peace deserves no less. bility of hurting civilians in adja<:ent know who and what they are, and that The Senator stands firmly behind the streets, or workers in the depot areas. we will not be stampeded by their cruel President with regard to the actions he All of us deplore the facts of war that invasion into rash political acts. has taken in ordering bombing of the cause death and injury to civilians-and Mr. MONDALE. Mr. President, millions North and, in particular, of Hanoi and also to men in uniform. In short, we de­ of Americans were shocked and appalled Haiphong. I was urging over and over plore war. But aside from whatever ob­ this past weekend at the major escala­ again the bombing of Haiphong and the ligation we may feel to prevent the mur­ tion of the war in Indochina by massive blocking of their principal port of en­ der of South Vietnamese, almost 100,000 new bombing of Haiphong and Hanoi. try of Communist war materiel well Americans, whose lives are precious to My distinguished colleague from Min­ over 5 years ago. In my view if it us, are in Vietnam. nesota has rightly said that this danger­ had been done then, this war would The tanks used by the CommUnists in ous new bombing "cannot ... must not, have been terminated long ago. I strongly their invasion of the south consume 18 continue." support the position taken by Secretary gallons of petrol every mile, Secretary I ask unanimous consent that Senator of State Rogers Monday, that we will not Laird pointed out y~terday in this testi­ HUMPHREY'S statement on the reescala­ return to the negotiating table until the mony. The invading forces consume am­ tion of the war be printed at this point in North Vietnamese have recalled their in­ munition at a high rate-killing soldiers the RECORD. vasion of the South. I have only thedeep­ and innocent civilians alike in their The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without est admiration for the South Vietnamese marauding. objection, it is so ordered. soldiers who have fought so bravely and If North Vietnam remained an un­ STATEMENT BY SENATOR HUMPHREY so well in containing the invasion forces molested sanctuary, supplies could con­ Today I repeat my call for an immediate to the extent that things are stabilizing tinue to move fro~ the storage areas halt to the bombings over North Vietnam. and the outlook for the future improving around Hanoi and Haiphong to the front The bombings are a dangerous escalation in all the time. And finally, I applaud our by truck in a matter of hours. It is only the war and the President should halt them President for making a tough, but neces­ 180 miles to the front across the DMZ. immediately. sary, decision in the face of certain criti­ We must press for quick passage of the We no longer are dealing with the 2­ Gravel-Mondale bill of which I am a co­ cism. month journey by foot down the Ho Chi sponsor. That binding legislation would halt It is high time we, as a nation pUlled Minh trail. all bombing outside of South Vietnam. It ourselves together and came to grips with Petroleum destroyed in Haiphong will also prohibits bombing in South Vietnam, reality as the President has so ably done. not drive a tank in the South. itself, unless the President could show that We have not condoned tyrannical aggres­ Ammunition destroyed in Haiphong such action was necessary for the safe With­ sion in the past; now is the best time will not kill people in the South. It will drawal of our forces. to unite and show the world that we will The President should Immediately halt the not kill innocent civilians. It will not kill bombing of North Vietnam. If he does not, not condone it now or in the future. The Americans. the congress should move immediately to Senate can take the lead by passing this Trucks destroyed in Haiphong will not cut off funds. To do this, the Senate should resolution. carry troops or munitions to the South. attach the Gravel-Mondale bill to pending Mr. President, I ask unanimous con­ If Haiphong is where the tools of ag­ legislation and adopt the amendment Which sent that whatever time I have remaining gression are found for the death-dealing I cosponsored with Senator Mondale on Feb­ be yielded to the Senator from Wyoming. invasion by the North, then that is where ruary 17, 1971, to cut off funds for combat The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without all' support activities Within the borders of they must be destroyed. North Vietnam. objection, it is so ordered. The late Adlai Stevenson remarked in I urge the President to bring the question Mr. HANSEN. Mr. President, whatever January 1965: of Vietna&1 before an emergency session or position any Member of this body takes In our minds we tend to associate war­ the Security Council of the United Nations on the war in Vietnam, we are all to­ and correctly so-with the ancient lust for in an effort to secure a cease-fire in Vietnam gether in one aspect: the killing of in­ conquest and dominion; we tend-rlghtly­ and to review the U.S. plan for withdrawal nocent people is dreadful business. to Id811tlfy war as the Instrument of con­ from Vietnam. querors and tyrants. In the past we hesitated to use the UN as But there seems to be a different meas­ a forum for settling the conflict in Vietnam, uring stick applied in this matter. Ap­ Yet In every war there is a defender who, but we were wrong. We were wrong not to parently, all innocent people are not however reluctantly, takes up arms In selt­ realize that American involvement in 'VIet­ equal in the eyes of some in the Con­ defense and calls upon others for ald. And nam was undermining world efforts for gress. this Is the other face of war: war has been peaceful cooperation. We can learn from our the Instrument by which lawlessness and mistakes. Some innocent people are treated as rebellion have been suppressed, by which though they are not so innocent. It is We can call for an emergency session of nations have preserved their Independence, the Security Council now a different body as if their degree of innocence is the by which freedom has been defended. War with the participation of China,. and the degree of latitUde of their residence, and 15 an instrument of aggression-and also the Soviet Union, as well as the other parties directly related to which side endangers means by which the aggressors lIave been Involved in the confiict. We can pledge that their lives. turned back. our Anned Forces will be withdrawn within In some quarters I have noted that in There are some in the Congress who a certain date, and that all we ask In return regard to the people of Vietnam, the seem to forget that other face of war. 15 the safe withdrawal of our troops, the more northerly the residence, the great­ North Vietnam has never been invaded release of American prisoners of war, and the by the people of South Vietnam. North indentificatlon of those missing in action. er the outcry about protecting the in­ The President's escalation of the war by nocent. The death of an innocent in the Vietnam is and always has been the ag­ massive bombing in the North, including use South killed by Communist forces is gressor. By the simplest act of decency of the giant B-52, 15 made even more dan­ hardly worth note by these same "pro­ and compassion on the part of the gov­ gerous by his reluctance to negotiate and tectors." ernment in Hanoi, the killing of all inno­ his precipitous withdrawal from the Paris The outcry of these protectors picks cents can stop tomorrow. They need only Peace Talks. Reports are fiylng every which up quite a bit crossing the DMZ going to end this cruel invasion; withdraw way as to who wants to resume the talks and who doesn't. What Is clear is that the Presi­ north. By the time an American aircraft their armies from Laos, Cambodia, and dent cancelled them in the first place and is flying over Hanoi or Haiphong-above South Vietnam to their own territon' that he hasn't told us how he plans to nego­ the 20th parallel-concern for the in- north of the DMZ. tiate American disengagement. 13352 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -SENATE April 19, 1972 The President's order for the bombing Now assembled off the coast of Viet­ Gravel-Mondale amendment to cut off of areas surrounding Hanoi and Haiphong nam is one of the most powerful air ar­ funds for any type of military or para­ is not only a dangerous escalation which con­ madas in the history of the world. And military operation in Vietnam after 30 tradicts President Nixon's promises for with­ drawal, but ignores all we have learned in we remain in the dark about how long it days of enactment. The congressional the last several years. It Is a giant step back­ will remain there. Yesterday in testi­ constituency for a stronger response, in ward to before 1968 when President Johnson mony before the Senate Foreign Rela­ other words, is there. halted the bombing because the bombings tions Committee, Secretary Rogers re­ What we need is a determination by had proven to be ineffective and a certain fused to answer Senator FULBRIGHT'S the Congress to stand up to the Presi­ cause of widened conflict. The bombing will question whether the U.S. Government dent. This must be done in the name of not break the wlll of the North Vietnamese; planned "to continue indefinitely to pro­ American and Vietnamese troops and it will not bring ",;hem to the negotiating table on our terms; it will not halt their sup­ vide unlimited air and naval support people who will die unnecessarily if the ply lines, and it is inhumane. whenever South Vietnamese forces are President's policy continues. It is the I call upon all Democrats and Republi­ under pressure." On the contrary, the height of political inlmoraIity to ask cana alike to urge the President to put a Secretary stated: U.S. pilots to continue to die in the name halt to the bombings. Now we have said from the beginning, of mistakes politicians admit they made. I urge all Democratic Presidential can­ every time I've testified here I've said, that Mr. President, Santayana said that didates to unite behind a platform of solid as we withdraw our troops from South Viet­ wisdom comes by disillusionment. The opposition to this war and any continua­ nam we're going to continue to use air power. unnecessary blood, the wasted treasure, tion of U.S. military operations. There is too We're going to continue to use air power the orphaned children have brought US much at stake in the welfare of this nation that's necessary to prevent a take-over by and in the promotion of international under­ the Communists of South Vietnam. disillusionment. Will we now find wis­ standing to do otherwise. The bombings dom? cannot, they must not, continue. This means that U.S. involvement in TO WHAT END? the Vietnamese war is a permanent fea­ Mr. HART. Mr. President, to what end? Mr. HARRIS. Mr. President, in 1968 ture of our foreign policy. There will Richard Nixon became President in part To what end does this Nation resume never be an end to the war so long as a widespread bombing of South and North because he promised he had a plan to Republican administration controls the end the Vietnam war. But the whine of Vietnam? White House. For the war in Vietnam is What end justifies the terrible costs air-raid sirens throughout Indochina is a civil war and there will always be the revealing this promise as base and which inevitably result from massive danger of a Communist takeover. bombing? empty. , In 1961, Mr. President, Charles de This week, without any public word Bombs kill, soldiers and civilians alike. Gaulle was host to a visit to France by Bombs destroy, tanks and homes alike. to the Nation, President Nixon ordered President Kennedy. During their meet­ the bombardment of Hanoi and Hai­ Bombs defoliate, camouflaged trails ing de Gaulle later wrote, he told his and crops alike. phong in North Vietnam with B-52 air­ visitor: craft. Even during the period of extreme And too, war can enhance or erode a You will flnd that intervention in this area great nation's ability to lead the world escalation prior to 1968 this measure had (Vietnam) will be an endless entangle­ never been taken. It was acknowledged toward peace. ment.... I predict that you wlll sink step War can unite or divide a people at then that the use in the North of these by step into a bottomless mllltary and polit­ aircraft, designed for the conduct of nu­ ical quagmire. however much you spend in home. clear war, would drastically increase the men and money. These are the terrible costs of war. political and military stakes in the war. Any nation contemplating the waging And in any event it has been conclusive­ What is so tragic about these words, of war should not separate the costs of ly established in recent years that air Mr. President, is that their essential war from the end it seeks. bombing in North Vietnam has been al­ truth hllS been evident to us for years. A great nation which values the dignity most totally ineffective. For some reason, however, two admin­ of human life and the concept of freedom But President Nixon is a gambler by istrations have been unable to draw the thought cannot, for if the end is not nature. His inclination is for the sudden necessary conclusions. worth the means, then the policy will reversal, the spectacular gesture, the But today I believe our criticism should surely divide its people and erode the long ball. His habit is to reduce national be directed not just at the administra­ country's ability to act at home and policy not to an art but to repeated and tion. We as legislators must share the abroad. desperate throws of the dice. The deci­ blame. No one can deny the depth of our in­ sion to bomb Hanoi is only the latest in The President this week issued the volvement or the strength of our com­ a series of such sudden moves. Congress a challenge. He unilaterally mitment in South Vietnam. And no one Repeatedly, the President has boasted escalated the war without informing should be able to forget the costs of that that when he entered office the American even those congressional committees commitment. troop ceiling was 549,500 and that he has most concemed with the conduct of our We have advised and we have sent steadily reduced the number of U.S. foreign policy. Yet what was the Senate's more than 500,000 troops. troops. What he has not told the Ameri­ response? Nothing but a series of iso­ We have supported governments and can people is that at the same time, he lated speeches and a decision yesterday we have set up governments. has maintained or increased the extent by the Senate Foreign Relations Com­ We have withdrawn troops and given of American involvement in the war mittee to cut off funds for all U.S. com­ the South Vietnamese more weapons. through the use of air power. bat operations in Indochina after De­ We have bombed and we have stopped . During 1971 U.S. air forces in Indo­ cember 31, 1972. bombing. china dropped 763,000 tons-the equiva­ Now the press has interpreted this de­ We have had a hand in the killing of lent of 35 percent of all U.S. air ord­ cision as a sign of sharp Senate dis­ hundreds of thousands, in the wounding nance expended during World War II. pleasure, but we all know the decision is and in the making homeless of 10 mil­ These figures represent the explosive inadequate. If the Senate does not take lion civilians, in the defoliation of an equivalent of 38 Hiroshimas. They con­ a stronger stand, the effect will be to area as big as Rhode Island in South stitute the equivalent of 80 percent of the seem to oppose the President while ac­ Vietnam alone. air ordnance expended during the 3-year tually we are giving him a free hand un­ More than 50,000 Americans have been Korean war. They total five times the til after the election. killed and more than 300,000 wounded. tonnage dropped on Japan during all of A majority of the Senate and a major­ And still the war continues and again World War II. ity of the Senate Foreign Relations Com­ we bomb. The total of 6.3 million tons of bombs mittee have supported measures to end To what end, to what end? dropped on Indochina during the period the war earlier than December 1972. All What reason do we have to expect that 1965-71 represents 22 tons for every major Democratic candidates except strategic-type bombing will work any square mile of territory in Indochina. George Wallace state that if they are better in 1972 than it did in the early Today, U.S. aircraft are dropping more President, they will withdraw from Viet­ 1960's? than 2,000 pounds or a ton a minute in nam within 30 days. All major candidates More importantly. remembering the Vietnam. who are Senators have cosponsored the awful costs already borne by the people April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13353 of Southeast Asia and by many in this Bombing close to the China border will and among the great powers, I believe country, what end do we seek which not improve our relations with Peking, there is yet another and fundamental justifies still more of the same? relations which are more important to reason why we should withdraw. That Granted it is easier to criticize than world peace than who happens to rule in reason is very simple and very impor­ to make policy. Saigon. tant. I can state it succinctly. Granted, some may argue that the war Bombing around Haiphong, and per­ IT IS IN OUR INTERESTS TO GET OUT planners have access to more informa­ haps hitting Soviet ships in the harbor, tion than others. will do little to convince the hardliners We should leave Vietnam because it And granted that we wish North Viet­ in Moscow of the value of negotiations is in the interests of the United States nam had not sent troops across the de­ with the United States, and the outcome to do so. Apart from the suffering, the militarized zone; that it would be con­ of the SALT talks are more important to misery, and moral question, it is simply venient and soothing if Hanoi agreed to world peace than who happens to rule against the interests of the United accept the Saigon Government as rulers in Saigon. States to remain in Vietnam. Here is Bombing to prop up Vietnamization why. of South Vietnam, and that it would be We have no material interests to serve welcome if Saigon had won the war. will not hasten victory but only delay the there. American territory is not under But those are only hopes. making of political adjustments by attack. There is no threat to the main­ What we do know for certain are the Southeast Asians necessary to achieving land of the United States or to our spe­ results of our war policies on the people stability on the Indochina peninsula. cific interests in Asia or the Pacific. of Southeast Asia and of our own coun­ And finally, bombing to show that we What about China and the tlu'eat she try. are not afraid to use our power can only poses? In the past it was argued that What we have no answer to is the ques­ undermine the confidence our allies have we should fight because of the potential tion which will not go away-what out­ in our ability to act with wisdom and danger that if South Vietnam was over­ come of the war in Vietnam would be so restraint. run other areas would be threatened harmful to our national interests that Anthony Lewis, writing in Monday'S too. we are justified in resuming and in esca­ New York Times, put it this way: lating to record proportions massive at­ CHINA POSES NO THREAT TO U.S. INTERESTS Proportion: That is the terrible fallure of THERE tacks which cannot help but destroy non­ American polley in Vietnam. Of course the military and military personnel and Communists are fighting the war too, and But what threat does China now pose? buildings alike? attacking in the South, and kllling human She has no airpower. She therefore does We are told we send bombers over beings. But they are doing so in what they not threaten our interests in the Pacific. Hanoi and Haiphong to protect our men regard as their own country. for a genuine She has no seapower. There is no way, who remain in South Vietnam. but it is cause and at immense sa'crifices to them­ therefore, that she can attack Japan, selves. The United States is dropping bombs Taiwan, Formosa. the Philippines, let agreed that our men are not under direct from 50,000 feet above a country thousands attack and that any effect from these of miles from our shores, for no cause that alone Australia or New Zealand. The fact raids on the battles in South Vietnam Americans can state. How different the moral is that she is not capable of taking either will not be felt for months. equation would be if the officials and the Quemoy or Matsu lying only a few miles We are told both that these sorties generais who give the bombing orders ever off the Mainland of China. were ordered to give South Vietnam still found their own lives at risk. Her troops are not now in Vietnam. more time to make Vietnamization work It is the old questIons of means and ends. With all the fighting there over the past and that Vietnamization is working; but For American leadership in the world there three decades. she has never sent troops is no more Important question. Our allies we have no reason to believe that it will have accepted our leadership because they to Vietnam. Now with President Nixon's ever work without our active support. believed we would exercise our power with visit to China and the improving rela­ We are told we resumed the bombing restraint and wisdom. tionships between China and the United because North Vietnam "invaded" South States. there seems even less reason to Vietnam, a rationale which ignores the That is what it comes down to-a believe that she would now either enter historical fact that Vietnam was one na­ proper sense of proportion. that war or send her troops into other tion long before it was two and which No clever slogans will hide the fatal areas of Southeast Asia and hence indicates we will settle for nothing less flaw in our Vietnam policy-we resume threaten the peace. That presents no than a complete military victory for the the bombing for no vital cause. major threat to either Southeast Asia Thieu government. No rhetoric will unite our people be­ or to the interests of the United States. And finally, we are told that the bomb­ hind a policy so alien to our belief that under a government of laws the means THE UNITED STATES HAS FULFILLED ITS COM­ ing may be in response to the continuing MqMENTS MANY TIMES OVER :flow of weapons from Moscow to Hanoi, to an end does matter. Congress then should do what it can Well, it will be said. it is in our inter­ that by bombing we may gain some type ests to keep South Vietnam from being of advantage in the game of interna­ to set our policy straight. We should be concerned about the overrun by the North. I think there is a tional politics as played by great powers. simple straightforward answer to that. Even if some advantage might be safe return of our men held prisoners gained. which I doubt. I do not think the and of our troops still in Vietnam. We have spent about $150 billion in people of this country believe we are Bombing advances neither of those Vietnam. justified in bombing a small nation in causes. We have lost 50,000 American lives in order to improve our bargaining position Rather let us set a date certain for Vietnam. with a third country. withdrawal tied to the return of our We have aided. helped, succored, and Other reasons have been suggested­ prisoners. propped up the South Vietnam Govern­ that the bombing was ordered out of Let us stop bombing. ments since 1962. If after 10 years, $150 frustration or that the goal is to keep UNITED 5TATES SHOULD SERVE ITS OWN billion, and 50,000 lives South .Vietnam the Saigon government in office until INTERESTS is incapable of protecting herself, the November. Mr. PROXMIRE. Mr. President, I join United States is not now required to do These interpretations I reject out of with Senators in urging a halt to the more. Any responsibility we had to that hand. for to accept either of them could bombing in Vietnam and the earliest nation has now been carried out ten­ only lead to the morally debilitating con­ possible withdrawal of our forces from fold. clusion that this Nation has become to­ that bloody and tragic war. "COLLECTIVE SECURITY" NOT COLLECTIVE tally immune to the horrors of violence. As much as I deplore the bombing, What about our obligation to "c:JIlec­ That I will not believe. the loss of human life, the suffering now tive security?" Those of us who remem­ But do any of the other reasons justify occurring over three decades, the divi­ ber the late 1930's recall the proposition Widespread, massive bombing of South sion of Vietnam into hostile camps. the that if we had only joined together at and North Vietnam '? I think not. extension of the war into Laos and Cam­ an early stage to stop Hitler. World War The better way to protect our troops bodia, the involvement of Thailand. and IT might not have occurred. It was from remaining in South Vietnam is to set a the continuing threat the war poses to that experience that the United Nations date certain for their withdrawal and to the peace of the world because it in­ was formed. the doctrine of collective resume negotiations from that point. hibits the settlement of issues between security was evolved. and the American 13354 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE AP1'il 19, 1972 determination to keep aggressors from TEDDY ROOSEVELT'S DICTUM It is difficult to discern the true mo­ overrunning weak countries was formed. We should follow Teddy Roosevelt's tives for the escalation in both bomb­ But there are two problems in Viet­ dictum and "Speak softly and carry a ing and rhetoric by the Nixon adminis­ nam. First, it was never clear-cut that big stick." tration. One thing is clear, however. This collective security was at stake in that We should act in full recognition of is an attempt to obscure the failure of Nation. The history of the French and our interests and with as much regard the much-heralded Vietnamization pro­ Japanese occupations, the absence of for l1Uman life as is possible. But we gram. The manner in which the South political democracy, and the divided in­ should act from a position of real Vietnamese forces crumpled during the terests within South Vietnam always ob­ strength. Any honest assessment of our early days of the North Vietnamese of­ scured the issue. Nations and people can­ real interests and our real strength and fensive suggests that Vietnamization has not march to an uncertain trumpet. of the real rather than imagined threats not worked and that the South Viet­ Second, th:l aid which the world sent to our security can lead to only one con­ namese are quite incapable of defending to South Vietnam was never "collective." clusion. The time to set a date and to the unpopular Thieu regime without For all practical purposes it was a uni­ get out of Vietnam is now. massive U.S. air support. lateral act by the United States. Our Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, in 1968 Also, there is an important fallacy in friends and allies did not join in, made Richard Nixon campaigned for the Presi­ the argwnent that the bombing policy is few if any< sacrifies, and criticized our dency with the promise that he had a designed to protect the lives of American activities there. It cannot now be claimed secret plan to end the Vietnam war. We and South Vietnamese troops in the face that the cause of collective security was never did find out what that specific plan of the North Vietnamese offensive. The served in Vietnam. bombing now underway, especially that was, but now, in 1972, he has resorted to in the North, will not have any effect on LOST PRESTIGE ABROAD--NATION TORN APART AT large-scale bombing in North and South the North Vietnamese offensive for at HOME Vietnam in a manner all too reminiscent least a month. Ifour purpose was to fore­ Meanwhile, our basic interests have of the unsuccessful bombing policies of 1965. The only plan he has shown us is stall the offensive, the time for that has suffered terrible blows. We have lost vast passed. prestige and support abroad. The coun­ more war in the air instead of on the Therefore it is clear that the bombing, try has been torn asunder at home. And ground. Efforts have been made to make and the threat to blockade or mine Hai­ the billions spent on this war have pre­ the war politically acceptable, but not tCl phong Harbor, is a punishment tactic­ vented the American people from meet­ end it, to stop the fighting, the killing. a continuation of the tit-for-tat policies ing those desperate needs here at home Not only has this reescalation of the of the last 3 years. The difference is that Which have for too long remaided un­ war given us a rerun of previously dis­ we have raised the stakes. Now at stake fulfilled. credited Vietnam policies, the dangerous in this game of blind man's bluff is not What is in the best interests and the brinksmanship being played by the Sec­ only the chance for peace in Indochina, security of the citizens of the United retary of Defense and Vice President is a but crucial questions of relations between States? frightening throwback to the foreign the world's major powers. And it is here, OUR REAL SECURITY INTERESTS NOT SERVED policy of the 1950's. in damaging those relations, that a more The citizen in Milwaukee is far more For Secretary Laird to suggest calmly lasting and most serious mistake of the concerned and rightly so, with being to the Foreign Relations Committee yes­ U.S. reescalation can be found. Beyond able to walk the streets safely than in terday that it might be in order for the even that, Mr. President, the reescalation bombing North Vietnam. Safe streets United States to blockade or mine Hai­ of the bombing poses a serious moral is in his direct security interests. Bomb­ phong harbor shows a remarkable in­ problem, one that could well damage our ing North Vietnam is not. Yet the bil­ sensitivity to the complications such national conscience. lions for Vietnam have prevented us threats pose in Moscow and Peking. Mr. President, votes in the Senate and from paying our police force adequately, Moreover, it bodes of more, not less, in the other body, public opinion polls­ of speeding up justice, and in protecting war. any sounding of the American people­ the persons and lives of millions of The Vice President carried Secretary all show that our citizens want deescala­ Americans. Laird's tactics even further by specifi­ tion, not reescalation. The failure of our It is far more important to the security cally citing the Soviet Union for sending Government to understand this strains of millions of elderly Americans that supplies to North Vietnam. It was as if the democratic process. Let us hope that they get medical care than it is in send­ Spiro Agnew had made some great dis­ this debate today and the understandable ing the fieet to sit off the shores of Viet­ covery, ignoring the fact that the Soviets outcry of horror from the American nam and send in their planes to dev­ and Chinese have been supplying North people will quickly and effectively con­ astate the countryside. Vietnam for as long as we have been vince the President of the folly of the fighting South Vietnam's battles. course he has taken in recent days. Our citizens here at home suffer from It is amazing, Mr. President, that the the evil effects of air and water pollution, administration would pursue a policy REESCALATION OF THE WAR inadequate funds to educate their chil­ Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. President, in re­ dren, insufiicient social security sup­ that could force a direct confrontation with the Soviet Union over Vietnam. But cent days we have witnessed a series of port, and excessive taxes on their food this is the clear consequence of the di­ events which seemed to return like a and housing and income while the mili­ rection in which Secretary Laird's com­ terrifying nightmare. As our people, and tary tells us that their security is at ments were addressed. the people of the world, watched with stake in Vietnam. That just happens to dread, President Nixon brashly ordered be rubbish. People don't believe that. And Even if that confrontation is avoided, by a decision not to go ahead wi th the U.S. military forces to reverse their slow they don't believe that because it is un­ withdrawal from Vietnam and instead true. blockade or mining of Haiphong harbor, the administration has already set back mount new attacks which reescalated OUR MILITARY STRENGTH HAS SUFFERED the attempts by President Nixon and the air war to levels matching and even There is another point, too. The his predecessors to improve relations surpassing those of the years of our strength of our military has suffered with the Soviet. And in doing so it places greatest involvement in the tragic South­ from the prolonged agony of this war. in jeopardy years of work on improved east Asian war. The military has grown fat and lazy. The relations, including the almost com­ In a swift and startling series of ac­ esprit in the ranks has declined. pleted Strategic Arms Limitation agree­ tion, President Nixon erased all progress GETTING OUT WOULD STRENGTHEN US ment. Whether this retreat to the old toward winding down the war; forced the Our determination to stop the bomb­ "Cold Warrior"'stance we had years ago United States and the Soviet Union to ing and to get out of Vietnam now Is not associated with the President is a result the brink of a needless and potentially a sign of military weakness. It would of some temporary aberration or whether catastrophic confrontation; and de­ strengthen us militarily. It is a futile it is a deliberate attempt to appease the stroyed whatever credibility he may still act to continue to throwaway our mili­ right wing of his party-it is a mistake: have had with the American people about tary strength in the huge abyss of South­ a grave and dangerous mistake which is his intentions in Vietnam. east Asia. That does not strengthen us. likely to decrease for some time the Perhaps we should not have been sur­ That weakens us. chances for world peace. prised at the news that our bombers were April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13355 once again attacking the population cen­ that the President's recent, reckless ac­ Mr. ALLO'IT. Mr. President, the ques­ ters of North Vietnam in the tactics tions are an admission of the failure of tion has been asked: Is the Senator re­ which had been discredited 4 years his much vaunted policy of Vietnamiza­ ferring to anyone on the floor? Is that a ago. And perhaps we should not have tion. rhetorical question? been astonished to learn that our Stra­ It is clear that President Nixon has Mr. CRANSTON. It is a rhetorical tegic Air Command had sent its giant B­ closed his eyes to the lessons of history, question. I am not referring to any indi­ 52's ranging further into North Vietnam and his ears to the demands of a great vidual on the floor of the Senate at the than ever before. majority of our people for an end to present time. It is true we had hints this might hap­ American involvement in the war. And, Let me suggest that the way to get pen. Reports from Southeast Asia for I see little hope that he will become more politics out of the war is for President the past 3 years have told of a steady sensitive to the mood of our people dur­ Nixon to get out of politics. That would buildUp in American airpower, in direct ing the last 8 months of his term. assure the American people that the relation to the slow but steady with­ There can no longer be any doubt­ military decisions he makes are moti­ drawal of American ground forces. And if there was before-that in the months vated solely by what he thinks is best the fact is that more. American bombs ahead this clear and absolute demand for America and the world, and are not have been dropped on Southeast Asia for a certain end to this long, bloody, in any way based on what he thinks is since President Nixon took office than and tragic war, must remain at the cen­ best for his political future. This could were dropped during the supposedly ter of our national debate. clear up the confusion that may be in the "peak" bombing years of 1966, 1967, and Mr. CRANSTON. Mr. President, I yield mind of the B-52 pilot on his bombing 1968. As a matter of fact, since President myself the 6 minutes of the Senator from mission who may wonder whether he is Nixon brought his secret plan to end the Michigan (Mr. HART), and I have 10 min­ acting as an arm of his Commander in war into office with him, more than 6 utes remaining, leaving 16 minutes to Chief or as a precinct worker for Rich­ million tons of bombs have been close the debate. ard Nixon's campaign over Hanoi. dropped-that is more than all the bombs The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen­ I have concluded that I should not per­ our planes dropped during World War ator is correct. mit the presidency to become involved in II and Korea put together. Mr. CRANSTON. Mr. President, I am the partisan diVisions that are developing And, we might have been forewarned if saddened by repOrts I have just been in this poIltical year, we had considered that this was the same handed by the press from Saigon indi­ President Johnson said on March 31, President who ordered American soldiers cating the response of the North Viet­ 1968, in announcing that he would not to invade Cambodia-and who ordered namese to the current Nixon policy in accept the Democratic nomination for our military might to support the South South Vietnam. I will read those reports. another term. Vietnamese invasion ofLaos. The first is from Saigon:, With America's sons In the fields-fields But, the American people have been SAlGON.-North Vietnamese Mig fighters far away, with America's future under chal­ thrown off guard-we have allowed our­ and "high speed sur!Me cra.tt" attacked U.S. lenge right here at home-with our hopes selves to be lulled into a false sense of 7th Fleet warships in the GUlf of Tonkin and the world's hopes for peace In the bal­ well-being. We have listened to the man this afternoon, the U.S. command said ~rly ance every day, I do not believe that I who holds the highest elected office in Thursday saigon time. should devote an hour or a day of my time our land talk about "a generation of to any personal partisan causes or to any The second dispatch is from the AP. duties other than the awesome duties of peace," and "the light at the end of the It is headed "Attacks" and reads as fol­ this Office-the Presidency of your coun­ tunnel." We remembered that it was this lows: try. same man who, as a candidate for office, SAlGON.-North Vietnamese Mig fighters promised he "would not raise" the level and shore patrol boats attacked U.S. destroy­ Those are words worthy of any Presi­ of bombing, and declared, "Our interest ers sheIIlng the coast Wednesday, and two dent; President Nixon would do well to is in stopping the war." And we watched of the boats were possibly sunk, the U.S. emulate his example. as this same President made fine state­ command disclosed. With 7 critical months to get through ments about stopping the arms race It said one of the Mlgs was shot down before the election, President Nixon ob­ and one U.S. ship reportedly was damaged In through the SALT talks; as he made the the Sea-all' battIe, four U.S. sailors were listed viously faces a critical challenge, polit­ splendid gesture of reopening relations as wounded. ically and militarily. with mainland China, and as he prepared On the one hand, the President must to visit the Soviet Union-all to promote Mr. President, is that "Vietnamiza­ carefully limit any escalation of Amer­ peace. tion"? Is that evidence that Vietnamiza­ ican military action in Indochina lest he So perhaps it is understandable that tion is succeeding? Is that evidence that set off tlle kinds of domestic upheavals we were astonished that this same Pres­ the South Vietnamese can "hack it" on that overthrew former President John­ ident would destroy any hope for a gen­ their own, as the President indicated they son and that confounded President Nix­ eration of peace; would snuff out the could a while back? on himself when he invaded Cambodia. light at the end of the tunnel; would re­ I ask the Senate to judge that matter, On the other hand, President Nixon escalate the war; would seliously jeop­ and I ask the country to judge this mat­ must do everything militarily possible to ardize the SALT talks; and would under­ ter. I think that both the evidence and prevent the Thieu regime from collaps­ mine hope for better relations with China the answer are rather obvious. ing before next November, lest he lose and the Soviet Union, through this reck­ We who are critical of the President's the right wing of his party-his prime less, senseless, and pointless brinksman­ policies are constantly importuned not political base. ship. to make "political capital out of the Simultaneously, and most crucially, he I \\ill say that, in my judgment, tIle President's conduct of the war." must avoid taking action that might American people will not tolerate this The chairman of the National Repub­ trigger magnified or more direct Soviet kind of inconsistency from their elected lican Committee (Mr. DOLE), after leav­ or Chinese involvement. leaders. They will not be lied to and ing this debate, stated, according to the President Nixon presumably hopes toyed with, having their hopes for peace United Press: that his new bombing decisions will do raised only to be quicklY dashed again. The Democrats are attempting to make the trick. The American people are neither political hay on the President's efforts in Maybe it will-provided we do not hit stupid, nor blind, nor unfeeling. They South Vietnam. too many more Soviet ships and provided can see that we are not Jctting out of Mr. President. Senate Democrats are the South Vietnamese stand and fight. the war by withdrav.ing our Jround repeatedly chided about our Members But what if it does not work? forces while increasing our air and sea whoare campaigning for the nomination If the South Vietnamese military sit­ forces. They know that every time the for the presidency. It should be recog­ uation becomes untenable, the President B-52s fiy, their cargo is just as devastat­ nized that the Republicans do have a seemingly has only two ultimate alterna­ ing as ground combat; and they are quite candidate for the presidency, the Presi­ tives-both reprehensible, politically and aware of the fact that our Government is dent himself. He is making daily deci­ morally: not doing the one truly effective thing to sions on the conduct of the war with He could halt American troop with­ secure the return of our POW's-ending pOlitics unavoidably on his mind. Does drawals and send American ground the war. Furthermore, they recognize anybody doubt that? troops back in. Unlikely, And he could 13356 'CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE April 19, 1972 order the use of tactical nuclear weapons. The White House still does not seem to fend their nation against those they con­ Unthinkable. have logical definitions of what is "do­ sider invaders from the north that are I am relieved that Secretary of State mestic" and what is "foreign." Opera­ on the line. Or should be on the line. We William Rogers has assured the Nation tions launched by President Thieu's re­ have done our share; more than our that the administration has ruled out gime but laced with a massive American share. It is time for the South Vietnam­ both these alternatives. I hope he is be­ presence are held to be "domestic" and ese to stand and fight on their own: it ing kept better informed now than he therefore legitimate, whereas fighting is their war, their country, their future. was prior to the Cambodian invasion. undertaken by the North Vietnamese It should be their decision. If they do not Why did he feel it necessary to give this alone using Soviet weapons is labelled have what it takes to survive on their assurance? Has somebody at the Penta­ "foreign" and therefore aggressive. Are own now with 1.2 million men armed with gon and the White House been think­ we to conclude that we have a more the latest made-in-America weapons ing about the "unthinkable"? Is it rightful place in Vietnam than the North then they never will. We cannot go on because of the fact that, while most of Vietnamese themselves? And what about fighting and dying in their war forever. our tactical nuclear weapons are in Eu­ the Vietcong? We know we "'ill not get our prisoners rope, some, at this moment-as I speak­ The latest ominous developments were of war out while we are carrying on this are ready for immediate use-on aircraft preceded by statements from the White senseless war. We know the number of carriers presently located off Vietnam? House emphasizing the Soviet contribu­ prisoners of war is rising now, and we Did Secretary Roger's statement, on tion to Hanoi's war effort. In his State of know we will not get them out until we Monday, have anythL.g to do with the the World Message delivered in Febru­ get out of the conflict. historical fact that in 1955 then Vice ary, President Nixon referred to the The American people have a right to President Nixon told the Executive "nearly $1-billion" in aid which North be kept accurately informed of our in­ Club in Chicago that it was "abso­ Vietnam receives from its allies. Actu­ creased air casualties during the current lutely foolish" to predict that a war ally, the $1-billion figure represented the offensive and beyond. They have a right in Asia would be limited to what we peak achieved in 1967, just before the to know the scope and extent of military like to think of as conventional weapons. United States halted its bombing of the action. As taxpayers, they have a right "Tactical atomic explosives are now con­ North. Furthermore, this total figure to know what the current escalation of ventional," he declared, "and will be combines aid from the Soviet Union, the air war is costing them. As citizens used against the military targets of any China, and Eastern Europe. For the So­ who have overwhelmingly expressed aggressive force." Admittedly that was viet Union alone, the flgure in 1967 was themselves in opposition to the war, they 17 years and several Nixons ago and the $505 million in military assistance and have a right to know how much destruc­ President may have changed his' mind. $200 million in economic aid-a total of tion our Government is continuing to He has a way of doing that. But Presi­ $705 million. wreak upon Southeast Asia. dent Nixon also has a way of being ada­ The figures for 1970 and 1971 fall sub­ Although the administration has been mant on what he thinks are basic issues. stantially below these 1967 peaks. In quick to publicize statistics on troop North Vietnamese attacks, instead of 1970 and 1971, total Soviet military and withdrawals, it has been reluctant to continuing large scale and sustained, economic assistance was $415 million for share information on responses to the may once again become sporadic, hit­ current offensive. The U.S. command and-hide, spaced-out affairs. In which both years. Combined Soviet Union, China, and Eastern Europe aid was down in Saigon, for example, has announced case, the President may reorder stepped to $775 million in 1971. No matter which that it will no longer release figures on up bombing as he-or President Thieu?­ the number of B-52 bombingrll.ids flown thinks the occasion demands, and so keep way we look at it, Soviet aid has fallen off. Even if we include estimates on anti­ over North Vietnam. The predictable rea­ the bombing game going off and on until son cited for the change was the need election day. aircraft artillery and SAM missiles, So­ viet aid cannot possibly match the bil­ to "protect" American pilots. But how Now if the American people buy this­ can information about one day's bomb­ and if President Nixon is somehow also lions of dollars which we have poured into South Vietnam. ing raid threaten pilots on the following able to overcome other problems he day? faces and is reelected, what then in Why then did the Nixon administra­ tion recently put pressure on American SimilarlY, the Pentagon has contin­ Vietnam? ually refused to discuss U.S. military Secure in office for another 4 years, officials in Saigon to emphasize Soviet aid to Hanoi? According to a report in alerts or movements in connection with President Nixon could decide that the the current fighting. Officials have de­ time had at long last really come for the the Baltimore Sun of April 13, the State Department cabled American officials nied reports of widespread alerts at air, South Vietnamese to stand on their own naval, and marine bases in this country. and "hack it" without our help-win, that- . Clearly the American people are not get­ lose, or draw. But that does not sound The need for American assistance to ting the whole story. like President Nixon. Saigon, it is felt at the highest level here, can be best explained to critical pUbllc opinion in What kind of logic is it that holds that It is far more likely that he would con­ terms of relation to Soviet aid to Hanoi. in order to get out we have to stay in? tinue his present policies and brace a The more we commit ourselves to the floundering Thieu regime with American What did this latest White House ma­ success of Vietnamization, the deeper the sea and air power for still another 4 neuver amount to if not to anticipate quicksand will become in the face of a years. Think of it; 4 more years of public reaction against a bombing raid possible South Vietnamese failure. And death and destruction overseas, division on Haiphong itself? the more action we undertake in the and neglect here at home; 4 more years So far Moscow seems to be shmving name of "protecting" the remainder of of wasted lives, wasted opportunities, considerable restraint-even with four our forces, the more losses we risk. wasted wealtho of their ships apparently hit. But how This point cannot be reiterated too In fairness to the American people, much more will the Soviets take? How often. President Nixon has beaten the President Nixon should make a choice: much more punishment is Nixon going drum for the POW's but by intensifying First. He should either announce at to rain on their ally? How much further the air war he has perpetuated the very once that he will order a total end to all is he going to push them? What happens means by which they are imprisoned in American combat action-on land, sea, if the Soviets respond in kind, not only the first place. Shifting the war from and air-and set a specific date for the by escalating their response in Vietnam the ground to the air cuts down on total total withdrawal of all our Armed Forces but by igniting a crisis elsewhere? When deaths but continues to feed more POW's contingent only on the return of our is this punitive brinkmanship going to to Hanoi. Almost 500 men are now listed prisoners of war and an accounting of end? as captured. When will the list stop grow­ our missing in action, or Our problem, the Nation's problem, Is ing? Second. He should do what President that President Nixon still thinks he must What makes present options so omI­ Johnson did and remove any appearance prove America's manhood; he still looks nous is that the administration continues of political motivation in the further upon Vietnam as a test of America's to talk about a North Vietnamese "in­ conduct of this war; if President Nixon courage and perseverance. vasion" of the South. The State Depart­ wishes to continue his present Vietnam I say it is no longer we who need to be ment has charged that this "invasion" is policy, he should take himself out of the tested but the South Vietnamese; it is in "flagrant violation" of both the Ge­ race for reelection. their will, their heart, their desire to de- neva accord and the 1968 bombing halt April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13357 agreement. But the use of the word "in­ the South Vietnamese and Royal Laotian I fully support this amendment. We vasion" implies international aggression. Air Forces. These figures show an upward must consider the highest interests of I have always maintained, by contrast, trend, as follows: (Department of De­ the Amelican people. They have alreauy that the Vietnam conflict is a civil war, fense figures, CONGRESSONAL RECORD, vol. expressed their overwhelming opposition not an international one. North Vietnam 117, pt. 14, p. 18410). to the continuation of this immoral war. is not a foreign country. The fact that Fiscal year-VNAF-RLAF They are tired of listening to distorted the current offensive is armed with un­ 1970-$245 mUllon--$46 million. calculations and twisted promises. They precedented numbers of tanks and SAM 1971-$350 mUllon-$79 million. are looking to us for leadership. missiles does not change the status of the 1972-$337 mlllion-$83 milllon. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con­ war any more than cutting down on sent that a statement by the Senator Hidden sources of funds undoubtedly from Wisconsin (Mr. NELSON) regarding ground troops short of total disengage­ add to these totals. According to the ment alters the essential fact of heavy the ecological consequences of the pres­ Washington Post of March 24, Ameri­ ent warfare in Vietnam may be printed American involvement. cans are also paying at least 5,000 Thai One aspect of the war which is espe­ "volunteers" to fight outside their bor­ in the RECORD, with attachments. cially striking is the distorted thinking There being no objection, the state­ ders. And according to the Dispatch News ments were ordered to be printed in the which has become a wiw of life for those Service, which was the first to disclose in both the military and the Government the events at Mylai, the United States RECORD, as follows: who are responsible for the destruction. paid "millions of dollars" to support IVIr. NELSON. Mr. President, the other day A recent article by Hannah Arendt char­ anti-Sihanouk forces led by Son Ngoc an item of polltical memorabilia came acterizes these professional problem­ across my desk. It was a curious piece of Thanh, recently named Prime Minister yellowing paper put out by the Republican solvers as having "trusted the calculating of Cambodia. As reported in the Phila­ powers of their brains at the expense of Party of Wisconsin August 15, 1964. Its con­ delphia Inquirer of April 6, President tents belled its title, Facts. But its attack on the mind's capacity for experience and Nixon nevertheless claimed that Siha­ me is interesting in the context of the its ability to learn from it." The results nouk's ouster "surprised no nation more Vietnam crisis facing the American public of these distortions is a new and bizarre than the United States." today. language. Listening to Pentagonese Corresponding costs in terms of hu­ It warned of the Red Chinese perll and would be amusing were it not always man lives are equally extensive. The Pen­ considered recognition of Red China and about death. tagon's own figures reveal that since admission of Red China to the U.N. a "Sur­ Daily examples of this language flood render to Communism." Time-and some Nixon's election in 1968, there have been peoples' polltics-have ohanged since then. the media. According to the Boston roughly 20,000 U.S. combat deaths. From In light of all the pomp and praise sur­ Globe on March 25, 1972, a Defense De­ 1965 to April 1971, the Cornell study re­ rounding this year's visit to China of the partment spokesman, asked to reconcile vealed that civilian casualties in South President and chief of the Republican the week's figure of two officially listed Vietnam were running to the order of Party, one may wonder whether the Presi­ as dead with the 13 actUally known to 1,050,000 inclUding 325,000 deaths, while dent·s Chinese hosts prepared Chinese style have been killed, blurted out that week­ more than 6 million had become refu­ crow in peiking. ly reports are really "statistical figures gees. As confirmed by a recent GAO Facts aiso attacked me for hesit!liting to reported to the Department rather than accept the Tonkin Gulf Resolution which report, the war has spawned 700,000 the Administration offered for Congres­ a reflection of deaths." Writing in the refugees in Laos alone, or one-fourth the sional passage the week of August 7, 1964. New York Times Book Review a year ago, total population. For Cambodia the fig­ Facts warned its readers that I wanted Neil Sheehan reported that a senior ure is 2 million, or almost one-third its America to pUll out of Vietnam. American general admitted that civilian population. Facts characterized that position as casualties were a problem. "But," he For these people the war is not "wind­ "liberal extremist". Today this position is added, "it does deprive the enemy of the ing down." Each month since 1969, the law of the land. The Mansfieid Amend­ population, doesn't it?" 130,000 civilians have been killed, ment (Section 601) of the Mllltary Pro­ It ourement Act passed by both Houses and is hardly necessary to remind the wounded, or made homeless. For the pe­ signed by President Nixon, November 17. members of this Chamber that the com­ riod of 1965-68 the corresponding figure 1971, declares It to be "the policy of the bination of men, sorties, and hardware was 98,000. In other words, the number United states to terminate at the earlle~t adds up to unbelievable amounts of of civilian casualties has risen sharply practicable date all military operations of money. A study undertaken by members since 1969. Figures for the South Viet­ the US in Indochina." of Cornell University's Center for Inter­ namese killed in the current offensive Facts wrote that I had "added a new national Studies has estimated that the have not been released. All we know is chap,ter to the 'Democratic Handbook of total cost of the air war from 1966 to Surrender" by questioning the implica­ that as of April 3, according to Reuters, tions of ttte Tonkin Resolution. 1971 is $27.5 billion. That amounts to the Vietcong claimed to have killed or roughly one-fifth of the total cost of the Philip Geyelln of the Wall street Journal captured 6,500 soldiers. If that figure staff wrote in the National Observer June 6, war up to now. In 1971, the bill for the seemed high then, it may be low by now. 1966, another version of my actions during air war was roughly $7.64 million per War is tragic and senseless. I certainly the Tonkin Gulf Debate. day. Costs projected by the Cornell study do not mean to suggest that killing is "... The legislative history of the Tonkin are $2 to $4 billion each year. somehow more acceptable when done by resolution Is interesting. for an effort was According to an AP dispatch in the one group rather than by another. But made by Senator Gaylord Nelson to amend it Philadelphia Bulletin on January 14 of the danger of the North Vietnamese of­ precisely for the purpose of preventing its use this year, "TV bomb kits" for "smart as a justification for a major change in the fensive is that in our shock we will tem­ United states' mission in South Vietnam. bombs" cost $12,500 each. Bombs rang­ porarily forget the lesson which we have Neison would have put Congress on record ing from 500 to 3,000 pounds cost any­ learned so painfully. In return for the against "extension of the present confiict" where from $224 to $1,864. Walleye mis­ prisoners, we must set a date for with­ and in favor of a continuing advisory mllitary siles cost $25,000 each. According to an drawal, cease all air strikes and other role. He was talked out of pushing,the amend­ AP dispatch on January 9, a single B-52 combat operations, and leave. ment by reassurances he received from Sena­ is a whopping $8 million. The smaller At present the Senate has an oppor­ tor Fulbright, who, as chairman of the For­ F-4 is $4 million. Secretary Seamans, eign Relations Committee, was responsible tunity to sever American involvement for interpreting what the AdministratIon had testifying before the 1972 Air Force ap­ in this brutal 'war. Thl Church-Case in mind. And he (Fulbright) gave it as his propriation hearings, stated that one amendment, which was favorably re­ opinion that the Nelson amendment "was an Huey helicopter carries a pricetag of ported out of the Foreign Relations Com­ accurate reflection of what I believe is the $250,000. Senator ELLENDER'S comments mittee on April 17, cuts off funds after President's policy, and therefore superfluous." in the RECORD of January 25 tells us that December 31 for the purpose of engag­ In early 1966, Fulbright was publicly blam­ a single aircraft carrier is 8960 millton. ing U.S. forces-land, sea, or air-in hos­ ing himself for a "mistake" in not accepting And in American Report of September tilities in Indochina. This measure would Nelson's amendment. But by that time, Of 24, 1971, Orville Schell states that each course, the United states' mission in South be subject to the release of the prisoners Vietnam had already undergone fundamen­ fighter-bomber sortie, or flight of a and to an account~ng for all Americans tal changes-at least in the way it was being single plane, costs the taxpayer $8,500. missing in action \,ho have been held by carried out:' As if these bills were not enough, this or known to the North Vietnamese Gov­ The fact is that I have stood in this cham­ country continues to hand out money to ernment and its allies. ber time and time again to explain my posi- 13358 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE Apdl 19, 1972 tlon on Vietnam. Vietnam Is not something llshed In the Ohristian Science Monitor that and sprayed 100-mllllon pounds of poisonous America can or should try to win on the "Vietnamizatlon plus" Is "VIetnamese fight­ herbIcides on the forests untU we had battlefield. ing on the ground and AmerIcans fighting destroyed an area of prIme forests the size This, Is not a partisan issue. Clearly, reU­ from the air," Yost elaborated, "Obviously of the State of Massachusetts or 5Y2 million ance on a military rather than a political no one can be sure a.t thIs writing whether acres. solution to this war is a mistake. It was a this strategy will succeed. Two facts, how­ Suppose we flew B-52 bombers over the mistake under Johnson. And it is a mistake ever, one can be sure of; It will not end the land dropping 500-pound bombs until we today lmder Nixon. war, and it will not get the Americans out had dropped almost 3 pounds per person for It's been clear for years for anyone wllling of it." every man, woman, and child on earth-8 to t·ake a hard look that the war cannot be In the meantime, our bargaining position billion pounds--and created 23 mUlIon cra­ won from any conventional sense. Even be­ is deteriorating. The use of such massive air­ ters on the land measurIng 26 feet deep and fore the Tonkin Gulf debate, I spoke of the power adds not only to the destruction our 40 feet In dIameter. folly of pursuing a military victory in South­ bombIng has already brought to the people Suppose the major objectIve of the bomb­ east Asia. The logic of that position was per­ and land of Indochina, but also to the num­ Ing is not enemy troops but rather a vague fectly clear even at that date except that we ber of American casualties and prisoners of and unsuccessful policy of harassment and were blinded by the interplay of red-baiting war. territorial denial called pattern or carpet domestic politics. Irresponsible leaders raised Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, Chairman of bombIng. the specter of international Communism and the JoInt ChIefs of Staff, says the bombing Suppose the land destructIon involves 8() tried to siltince dissenters with irrational will continue "so long as the battle that Is percent of the timber forests and 10 percent charges that those who disagreed were "soft currently going on is supported With re­ of all.the cultivated land In the Nation. on communism." sources from North Vietnam ... as long as We would consider such a result a monu­ These attacks were effective. I received a there are valid military targets supporting mental catastrophe. That Is what we have considerable amount of critical mail, some this operatIon." done to our ally, South Vietnam. Mr. Nixon has dropped more than one ton following the line taken by Facts calling me While under heavy pressure the military an "appeaser," And as the ground war heated of bombs per minute during every single mInute of his administl'llition. finally stopped the chemical defoliation war up, few again would listen when on January and has substituted another massive war 15,1966, I said that "Even If a millIon Ameri­ Let me repeat what I saId on the subject against the land Itself by a program of pat­ can soldiers were to force all North VIetnam­ of bombing back in January, 1966. It is more tern or carpet bombing and massive land ese units from South Viet Nam and to sup­ than approprlllite today. "Those who look for clearing with a huge machIne called a Rome press the Viet Cong guerrlllas with napalm. a cheap 'vIctory through air-power' should recall the glowing assurances last February Plow. and bayonets--even if we avoided an open The huge areas destroyed pockmarked, C1~h with Red Chinar-even then, when we that a few bombs on North Viet Nam 'would qUickly bring that country to the conference scorched, and bulldozed resemble the moon WIthdrew as eventually we must, wp would and are no longer productive. leave behind us only a charred, desolate table In a tractable mood.' If anythIng, the country with little hope that it could main­ opposite has been the case," This Is the documented story from on-the­ tain Its Independence one moment beyond On July 2, 1966, I stated-and I also re­ spot stUdies and pIctures done by two distin­ the time we left." affirm that positIon today-that "We have gUished scientIsts, Prof. E. W. Pfemer and had a faIr trial of the theory that our mas­ Prof. Arthur H. Westing. These are the same SInce then. United States military actIvity two distinguIshed scIentIsts who made the has regrettably made the prediction of 1966 sive m1l1tary mIght can force the enemy to the bargaInIng table. It hasn't worked," defoilatlon studies that alerted Congress and the reality of 1972. We've spent billIons of the country to the grave ImplicatIons of our dollars and expended about thIrty billIon We did not bomb them to the peace table In 1966, 1967, or 1968 and we cannot bomb chemIcal warfare program in VIetnam, which pounds of munItIons-twIce U.S. expendIture has now been termInated. throughout World War II In all Its theatres them to the peace table today. That approach and an explosIve equIvalent of a HIroshIma has been a failure from the begInnIng. The story of devastation revealed by theIr drop every 5Y2 days during the seven year Mr. President, this is no tIme for the movies, slides, and statistIcs is beyond the period between 1965-1971. That's about 9 United States to leave our place !lit the peace human mind to fully comprehend. We have pounds for every man, woman, and child on talks just to score debating points. We senselessly blownup, bulldozed over, poisoned, earth--or 666 pounds for every Indochinese should be negotiating In Paris and in secret. and permanently damaged an area so vast man, woman and child. This year Mr. Nixon, who throughout most that It literally boggles the mInd. And what have we accomplished? of his career warned of a Red ChInese peril. Quite frankly, Mr. President, I am unable 55,000 AmerIcans killed. dined with Chou En-lal before a TV audience adequately to describe the horror of what more than 300,000 Americans wounded. of mUlions of Americans. Certainly, It Is even we have done there. more urgent that he negotiate wIth the lead­ There Is nothing In the hIstory of warfare aImost 500 AmerIcan prisoners of war. to compare wIth It. A "scorched earth" policy more than 1,100 AmerIcans missing In ac- ers of North Vietnam for an end to death and destruction In.Southeast Asia. has been a tactic of warfare throughout his­ tIon. tory, but never before has a land been so mas­ more than 150,000 South Vietnamese and How long wUl Americans be asked to sup­ port a mistaken and ineffective war pollcy? sively altered and mutuated that vast areas other allies killed. can never be used again or even inhabited by and about 800,000 deaths on the other Secretary of Defense Laird was quoted April 11 as saying, "Do I thInk a war that man or anImal. side. ThIs is Impersonal, automated, and mech­ (These casualtIes were suffered before the has gone on for 30 years is going to end? The answer is no." anIstic warfare brought to its logical con­ recent offensIve. One hesitates to imagIne clusIon-utter, permanent, total destruction. the lethal Impact of our newly assembled air My answer Is less cynical. It Is that we should set a date for wIthdrawal of all our The tragedy of It all Is that no one knows annada.) And still we continue pursuing an or understands what Is happening there, or 111usory military victory. forces, the end of military activity In South­ east Asia, and the exchange of prisoners­ why, or to what end. We have sImply un­ The cold, hard, and cruel Irony of it all Is leashed a gigantic machine which goes about that we are destroying our allies In order with no politIcal or military conditIons. Mr. President, I request unanimous con­ Its Impersonal business destroying whatever to save them. We've done more damage to 1s there wIthout plan or purpose. The finger our allies than our enemIes. We have hit sent that my statement and Record Inserts of January 28, at the tIme that I introduced of responsibllity points everywhere but no­ SOuth Vietnam wIth twenty times more mu­ where in partICUlar. Who designed thIs polley nitIons than we have spent In North Viet­ S. 3084, the Vietnam War EcologIcal Damage Assessment Act; a statement I made septem­ of war against the land, and why? Nobody nam. Our bombIng Is largely responsible for seems to know and nobody ratIonally can making refugees of six million South Vlet­ ber 18, 1967, and the :March I, 1966, colloquy between myself and ,Senator FUlbright re­ defend it. namese--one thIrd of the populatIon. In Those grand strategIsts who draw the lines Cambodia, one-third of the population has garding the 1964 Tonkin Gulf debate; the full report of Dr. Arthur Westing on EnvI­ on the maps and order the B-52 strikes never also become refugees. And one Laotian In see the face of that innocent peasant whose four has been bombed out of his home. ronmental Disruption In IndochIna; the April 12 analysis of Charles Yost; and the land has been turned into a pock-marked How much destructIon and how many moon surface In 30 seconds of violence with­ casualties must we and the Indochinese suf­ Fads editorial of August IS, 1964, be entered In the Record at this time. out kl1l1ng a single enemy soldier because fer before we have sufficient proof that this none were there. If they could see and 1Jn­ Is a mistaken enterprIse? derstand the result, they would not draw In thIs month's latest round of fightIng, VIETNAM \VAR ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT the lines or send the bombers. HanoI has been testIng Nixon's latest varia­ ACT OF 1972 If Congress knew and understood, we tion on the military solutions theme; the Mr. NELSON. Mr. President. suppose we took would not appropriate the money. Vletnamlzation program Is at stake. But In­ glgalftlc bulldozers and scraped the land bare If the PresIdent of the UnIted States knew stead of Vietnamlzatlon. It seems that what of trees and bushes at the rate of 1,000 acres and understood, he would stop it in 30 min­ we are getting Is North Vletnamlzat!on. a day or 44-million square feet a day untU we utes. Actually What we are seeIng In SOuth had fiattened an area the sIze of the State of If the people of America knew and un­ Vietnam is "Vietnamization plus" Charles Rhod~ Island, 750,000 acres. derstood, they would remove from office those Yost explained In an April 12 analysis pub- Suppose we fiew huge planes over the land responsible for it, If they could ever find out April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13359 who is responsible. But they will never know The cold, hard, and cruel irony of it all is are doing there, neither they nor the people because nobody knows. that South Vietnam would have been bet­ of this Nation will sleep well that night. By any conoeivable standRrd of measure­ ter 01I losing to Hanoi than winnIng with For many reasons I did not want to make ment, the oost benefit ratio of our program of us. Now she faces the worst of all possible this speech but someone has to say it, some­ defollation, carpet bombing with B-52's, and worlds with much of her land destroyed and Where, sometime. bulldozing is so negative that it simply spells her chances of independent survival after Mr. President, I ask unanimous colUlent bankruptcy. It did not protect our soldiers we leave in grave doubt at best. that the following statistics, which were pro­ vided by Dr. Arthur H. Westing and which or defeat the enemy, and it has done far This has been a hard speech to give and greater damage to our ally than to the will appear in a forthcoming publication, enemy. harder to write because I did not know what be printed in the RECORD at this point. These programs should be halted imme­ to say or how to say it-and I st11l do not There being no obJection, the statistics diately before further permanent damage know. But I do know that when the Mem­ were ordered to be printed in the RECORD, is done to the landscape. bers of congress finally understand What we as follows:

ALL INDOCHINA ECOLOGICAL IMPACT IJn millions of pounds] Area with Area Earth Number of "shrapnel" cratered displaced Air Surface Total craters (in million (in thousand (in million Year munilions munitions munitions Country (in millions) acres) acres) cu. yds.)

1965 • .•• __ ....•_. "'_._. 630 __ ..__ .. _ 630 SouthVietnam. __ ... _...... 19.1 23.9 309.9 2.500 1966.. .. •.•, __ ...' __ •_. _. __ . __ • _. 1,024 1,164 2,188 MililaryregionL_.. .___ (6.1) (7.6) (98.4) (794) 1967 ... • .• __ .. . .•• 1,866 2.413 4.218 Military region 11 __ •__ •• _._. (3.8) (4.8) (62.0) (500) 1968.._. •• .. "_..__ • -. 2,863 3,003 5.886 Military region 111...... _... (8.3) (10.3) (134.2) (1.083) 1969 ---...... 2.774 2.808 5.583 Nort~~:~t~a:;g~O~!~ 1970 .._..__ .. .. _.- __ __ . .. 1,955 2,389 4.344 _ ...-_.:::-.-..... (.9)1.1 (1.2)1.3 (15.3)17.3 (124)139 Laos ...... __ 2.6 3.3 42.4 342 TotaL __ .. .• _. __ 11.112 11.777 22,889 Southern Laos . _. . __ (I. 8) (2.3) (30.0) (242) Northern Laos .. __ .... (.8) (1.0) (12.3) (99) Cambodia __ .... _.... __ .1.1 1.9 15 Tolal Indochina .. __ ... __ .--2U---a6---37-1.-4----2.996

IMPACT OF U.S. MUNITIONS (In pounds)

South North Total Expenditure Vietnam Vietnam Laos Cambodia Indochina

Peracre 446 26 45 3 125 Per person .. __ __ _ 1,091 58 992 18 513

B--52-ASSUMING AN AVERAGE OF 1 SORTIES PER MISSION MUNITIONS EXPENlllTURES II n numbers of missions) lin millions of dollars] Military Military Military Military Total Soulh South North South North Total , Year region I region II region III region IV Vietnam Year Vietnam Vietnam Laos Laos Cambodia Indochina 1967 ______. __ ... __ .. 527 284 269 10 1.090 1965.._.. __ • ______• ______594 65 60 10 0 630 1968 __ .. ______1,137 644 1,143 148 3,072 1966_._ .. ___ .••_...... 1,778 255 135 20 0 2,188 1969.... ______. ______.. 319 440 1,777 98 2.634 1967 .. __ .,. ___ ._ ...__ ..... 3.634 415 200 30 0 4.218 1970 ______.. _____ 624 274 366 150 1.414 1968 ___ .. _____ ._._. __ ..___ 5.185 330 310 40 0 5,866 1969 .....______...__ • 4,674 0 490 420 0 5.583 TotaL ______.. ____ .. 2,607 1,642 3,555 406 8,210 1970.. ______._.____ ....___ 3,333 0 655 240 115 4.344 TotaL ____ • ______.• 19.099 1,065 1,850 760 115 22,889 Note: Althoueh breakdowns for 1965 and 1966 are not available, the totals approximate 138 and 550. respecltvely, • [From the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Sept.'lB, The intent and meaning of any proposi­ now claims it means I would have opposed 1967] tion before the Congress is determined by it and so would have Mr. Fulbright. STATEMENT BY SENATOR ~ELSON ON VIETNAM the plain language of the act itself, the However. an even more important factor interpretation of that language by the of­ in determining the intent of that resolution In recent weeks there have been renewed ficial spokesman for the measure and the is the political context of the times when and vigorous discussions about the meaning context of the times in which it is conSid­ it was considered by the Congress. It was and intent of the Tonkin Bay Resolution. It ered. before the Senate for consideration on Au­ has lately been repeatedly asserted by Ad­ Because of my concern about the broad gust 6 and 7, 1964. We were in the middle minIstration spokesmen, writers and others implications of some of the language I of­ of a Presidential campaign. Goldwater was that the overwhelming vote for the resolu­ fered a clarifying amendment. The official under heavy attack for his advocacy of es­ tion in 1964 expressed Congressional approval Administration spokesman for the resolu­ calation. The Administration Clearly and of whatever future m1l1tary action the Ad­ tion. Mr. Fulbright, said the amendment repeatedly Insisted during that period that ministration deemed necessary to thwart ag­ was unnecessary because the Intent of the we should not fight a ground war with our gression in Vietnam including a total change resolution was really the same as my more troops. No one in the Adminlstra,.tion was in the character of our mission there from specific amendment. In short, according to suggesting any change in our very limited one of technical aid and assistance to a full Mr. Fulbright, the resolution did not intend participation in the Vietnam affair. scale ground war with our troops. to authorize a fundamental change in our The whole mood of the cou-ntry was against This, of course, is pure nonsense. If such role in Vietnam. Goldwater and escalation and particularly a proposition had been put to the Senate Three Presidents had made it clear what against the idea that "American boys" should in August, 1964, a substantial number of fight a war that "Asian boys" should fight Senators, if not a majority, would have op­ .that llmited role was, and this resolution did not aim or claim to change It. for themselVes, as the President put it in posed the resolution. What we are now wit­ September of that year. nessing is a frantic attempt by the Hawks If the official Administration spokesman to spread the blame and responslbUlty for for a measure on the fioor is to be subse­ For the Administration now to say that the Vietnam on a broader base. They shOUld not quently repudiated at the convenience of Tonkin Resolution considered during this be allowed to get away with it. It is not the Administration, why bother about such period had as part of its purpose the intent accurate history and it is not healthy for the matters as "legislative intent?" In fact, Why to secure COngress1onal approval for funda­ political system. The future welfare of our bother about Administration spokesmen at mentally altering our role in Vietnam to our country depends upon an understanding of all? At the conclusion of these remarks I present ground war commitment is political how and why we got involved in a war that will reprint from the congressional Record nonsense if not in fact pure hypocrisy. does not serve our national selt interest. If my colloquy with Mr. Fulbright which If Mr. Fulbright, speaking for the Admin­ we don't understand the mistakes that got formed the basis for my vote on the Tonkin istration, had in fact asserted that this was us into this one we won't be able to avoid Bay Resolution. Had he told me that the one of the objectives of the resolution the blundering into the next. resolution meant what the Administration Administration would have repUdiated him 13360 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -SENATE April 19, 1972 out of hand. They would have told him and military-political war which I think is high­ contribution to this discussion-and he will the Congress this resolution had nothing to ly dOUbtful. continue to do so. do with the idea of changing our long estab­ There is no easy solution to our involve­ One thing, however, that disturbs me very lished role in Vietnam. They would have told ment, but now, before it is too late, is the much is the argument I have heard advanced Congress as they were then telling the coun­ time to decide what direction from here we in the press, by columnists, by distinguIshed try that we oppose Goldwater's irresponsible are going to go in Vietnam. Members of COngress, and people in the ex­ proposals for bombing the North and we op­ There is, it seems to me, only one sensible ecutive branch, that we shOUld not be de­ pose getting involved in a land war there direction to go and that is toward de-escala­ bating this issue because what we say here, with our troops. That was the Administration tion and negotiations. in our free country, will be misunderstood position when the Tonkin Resolution was It was a mistake for us to Americanize by some COmmunists in some other country, before us. They can't change it now. It is this war in the first place, and it is an even Communists who do not know what free rather ironic now to see how many otherwise greater mistake to continue it as an Ameri­ speech is all about and never will. responsible and thoughtful people have been can war. As soon as the elections are over Mr. President, this is the greatest parlia­ "taken in" by the line that Congress did in this Sunday we should cease bombing the mentary body in the world. It is the oldest fact by its Tonkin vote authorize this whole North in order to afford the opportunity to parliamentary body in the world. Its func­ vast involvement in Vietnam. The fact is explore the possibility of negotiations. It is tion and purpose is constructive debate. The neither Congress nor the Administrl>tion rather ironic that Chief of State Thieu, the strength of this Nation is measured by its thought that-was the meaning of Tonkin­ military candidate for President, favors a capacity for intelligent debate, not by its and both would have denied it if the issue bombing pause but our military oppose it. ab1llty to goosestep. I hope we do not under­ had been raIsed. Whose war is this? mine that source of our power. I have heard The current intensity of the discussion Next we should fundamentally alter our it implied here and elsewhere lately that over the m1lltary status of Vietnam, the military and political policies in the SOuth. free speech and dissent should stop because Tonkin Resolution and the elections signal We should notify the SOuth that henceforth it may be misunderstood in Communist a new phase of the war dialogue. What's it wlll be the job of South Vietnamese to do countries. This is a dangerous parallel to the really new in the dialogue now is the sudden, the chore of political and military pacifica­ theory that was recently used by the Russian almost unIversal recognition by a majority tion of the South. While our troops occupy court in sentencing two writers to jail, not of the Hawks that this is after all a much the popUlation centers, furnish the supplies, because of what they said in Russia but be­ bigger war than they had bargained for. transportation and air cover, it must be the cause they published books in this country They now realize for the first time that to job of the Vietnamese to win the political which the Russians thought would be mis­ win a conventional m1lltary victory will re­ and m1lltary war in the South. If they do understood in America and damage Russia. quire a much more massive commitment of not have the morale, the interest, the deter­ On that theory the Russian court sentenced men and material than they ever dreamed mination to win under these circumstances the writers to jail. would be necessary. How many men?'A mil­ then their cause can't be won at all. Over here, we have people saying that we lion at least and perhaps two million without Surely it ought to be understood by now should stop debate because someone else any aSS11rance that a clear cut mllltary vic­ that if there is going to be a meaningful who cannot understand the debate might tory would result in any event. Furthermore, solution to the Vietnam problem they must misunderstand our resolve and damage it has finally dawned on the Hawks that a be the ones who make it meaningful. America. Furthermore, if it is true, as our State De­ m1lltary victory does not assure a political Mr. President, freedom is wha,t democracy victory-in fact there is no connection be­ partment says, that all other South East tween the two and one without the other is Asian countries feel they have a stake in is all about. If some foreign dictator does not understand it, that is too bad. I have of no value whatsoever. Vietnam, let them send some troops of their This new recognition of the tough realities own to prove their interest. no intention of giving up my freedom of of Vietnam afford the opportunity for a re­ Under this approach we will reduce the speech because some COmmunist does not appraisal of our situation in Vietnam and loss of our troops to a minimum and we understand what free speech is all about­ a redirection of our efforts. wlll find out whether our allies in the South and never will. The danger we now face is the mounting really believe they have something to fight Regarding the Tonkin Bay resolution, let pressure from military and political sources for. If they do, they have the chance to me comment briefiy. It has been repeatedly for a substantial escalation of the bombing build their own country. If they don't, then stated by those who unqualifiedly support attack in the North. The fact is the whole we should get out. the Tonkin Bay resolution that there were m1l1tary-political power establishment (both This it seems to me is our best alternative only two Senators who had any reservations Republican and Democratic) has been caught to the fruitless policy of endless escalation. about it. in a colossal miscalculation. They have been Mr. President, I had reservations about caught and exposed in the very brief period MARCH 1, 1966, COLLOQUY that resolution and I made them clear. I of 24 months since we foolishly undertook a Mr. FuLBRIGHT. Mr. President, will the was in the Chamber on August 6, August 7, land war commitment.. Senator from Wisconsin yield just briefly. and August 8, and participated in the dialog They did not then nor do they now un­ Mr. NELSON. I am glad to yield to the sen· concerning the resolution, as did several derstand the nature, character and vigor of ator from Arkansas. other Sens;tors, who also expressed grave the political revolution in Vietnam. But in Mr. FuLBRIGHT. First, I appreciate what the reservations about the resolution. Their re­ order to save face they are now demanding Senator said. I have already said publicly marks were intended to interpret that reso­ an expansion of the war. If they prevail we that I believe one of the most serious mis­ lution and demonstrate congressional intent. w111 then see another fruitless expansion takes I have made as chairman was in not I discussed the SUbject on three different which will not bring the war to a conclusion accepting or urging the Senate to accept the days with the chairman of the Foreign Rela­ but will extend our risk of a confrontation amendment offered by the Senator from Wis­ tions COmmittee, and I am a little weary of with China. consin in August 1964. I do not believe it is haVing my vote interpreted as an unqualified Unfortunately the Administration con­ proper, and do not wish to take the time to endorsement of escalation. The record will tinues its policy of so called controlled ex­ explain the" circumstances of that particular show it was not such an endorsement. pansion of pressure on the North which moment, but, nevertheless, I believe it was a The chairman of the Foreign Relations really is nothing more nor less than endless mistake and I commend the Senator from Committee was in the Chamber-the Senator escalation which will likely lead to a vast Wisconsin tor haVing more foresight than I from Arkansas [Mr. FULBRIGHT], as the expansion of the war. It ought to be under­ had at that time, and I think many other spokesman for the administration. As a U.S. stood once and for all that no amount of Senators, as to the possible significance o;f Senator, I was entitled to accept his advice, pressure on the North wlll settle the war in that resolution. counsel, and interpretation of that resolu­ the South. A complete incineration of the He did offer a very sensible, limiting tion as an expression of the intent of the North wlll not end the capacity of the guer­ amendment to that resolution, and I regret administration. rilla to continue the fight in the SOuth. that we did not have the kind of discussion Mr. President, I shall not read the whole Though we committed a grave blunder in of it in public at that time that we have had dialog, but I will read a part of it from the putting ground troops into Vietnam in the recently. But I do commend the senator RECORD of August 6 and 7, 1964, as follows. first place, it does not make sense to com­ from Wisconsin for his foresightedness and Addressing myself to the chairman of the pound the blunder by pouring in additional regret that I did not have as much. Foreign Relations COmmittee: troops. The Administration proposal for 45,­ Mr. NELSON. I believe that the senator But I am concerned about the COngress 000 additional troops with tens of thousands advised me at that time that his interpre­ appearing to tell the executive branch and more demanded by the mllltary is simply a tation of the resolution was the same as the the pUblic that we would endorse a complete blind and foolish move in the wrong direc­ purpose of my amendment, and that there­ change in our mission. That would concern tion. fore the amendment was unnecessary. me. What the m1lltary really needs is a mlllion Mr. FuLBRIGHT. I thought it was. Mr. FULBRIGHT. I do not interpret the joint or two mlllion ground troops for the war Mr. NELSON. I also wish to commend those resolution in that way at all. It strikes me, they want to fight. Furthermore, no one can who have participated in this debate on both as I understand it, that the joint resolution explain what possible proportional benefit sides of the aisle. is quite consistent with our eXisting mission this country or the free world will get for Although very frequently I do not agree and our understanding of what we have this kind of massive allocation of re­ with the Senator from Oregon, I should like been doing in South Vietnam for the last sources--even assuming this would win the to say that he has made a most valuable 10 years. April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13361 Skipping some of it. I addressed the chair­ committee or any of us to check. I think we environmental disruption caused by (1) the man once more, as follows: were told things happened at night and chemical warfare program with plant poisons In view of the differing interpretations things were moving rapidly. and so on. (herbicides). (2) the landclearlng program which have been put upon the joint resolu­ I had no reason to doubt the factual situ­ with Rome-plow eqUipped tractors. (3) the tion with respect to what the sense of Con­ ation. On the other hand. it is extremely massive bombing and shelling program. and gress is. I should llke to have this pOint difficult to prove what happened. In any (4) the 15.000-pound land-clearing bombs. clarified. I have great confidence in the Pres­ event, the Senator from Wisconsin has cer­ This preliminary synopsis is based on a com­ ident. However, my concern is that we in tainly stated very clearly what the situation bination of personal observations, inter­ Congress could give the impression to the was. We all know the President has, without views. and information released by the De­ public that we are prepared at this time to any resolution. the right to respond to an partment of Defense. I report the environ­ change our missIon and substantially ex­ immediate attack. He has the right to take mental Impact with the realization that it is pand our commitment. If that is what the actions of a temporary nature. one might dwarfed by the direct Impact of the war on sense of Congress is, I am opposed to the say. to protect our interests. Then at some the peoples of Indochina. but with the fur­ resolution. I tb,erefore ask the distinguished point, if hostilities continue. if the Con­ ther realization that these two dimensions Senator from Arkansas if he would consent stitution means anything. a declaration of of the war are intertwined-and will con­ to accept an amendment, a copy of which I war should be sought. tinue to be long after the war will have have supplied him. I shan read it into the I wUl leave it to Senators. the manager finally ended. RECORD: of the bill. the administration, whether or THE HERBICIDE PROGRAM "On page 2. line 3, after the word. 'That' not we are now at war. This bill and other insert '(a)'. events would indicate we are. I have dis­ Chemical anti-plant warfare, restricted "On page 2. between lines 6 and 7, insert cussed this matter with some of those who largeiy to South Vietnam. began on a. small the folloWing: have responsibility In this area. They are scale in November 1961. became a. large-scale " '(b) The Congress also approves and reluctant to do what I have suggested. I am effort In 1966. and essentially ended in May supports the efforts of the President-- not at all sure, if we continue along the 1971. In its cover denial program the United This was the amendment to the Tonkin course we are following. it will not be neces­ States aerially dispensed 17 mulion gallons Bay resolution- sary to Impose powers and disciplines and (109 mUllon pounds) of herbicides on 4.7 to bring the problem of peace in southeast controls upon our economy sooner or later. million acres of forest lands. In its fOOd de­ Asia to the Security CouncU of the United We cannot carryon this kind of conflict nial program It similarly dispensed 2 mil­ Nations, and the President·s declaration that and call it a skirmish. So this Is a matter I lion gallons (7 million pounds) on 0.7 mil­ the United States. seeking no extension of think the administration should be gIvIng lion acres of crop lands. Major herbicides the present military conflict, wlll respond to thought to. used against forest were 2,4--D (57 mUllon provocation in a manner that is "limited and pounds). 2.4,5-T (48 million pounds). and fitting". Our continuing policy is to limit THE ENVIRONMENTAL DISRUPTION OF picloram (3 million pounds); and against our role- INDOCHINA agricultural fields, dimethylarsinic acid (7 million pounds). About 15% of South Viet­ Listen to these words- The land and people ot Indochina (287 To the provision of aid. training assistance. nam's forests have been sprayed once and thousand square miles and 45 million in­ an additional 4% repeatedly; about 8% of and military advice. and it is the sense of habitants-the size of Texas. but with four Congress that. except when provoked to a the nation's crop lands (primarily those in times its popUlation) have been under con­ the Central Highlands) have been sprayed. greater response, we shOUld continue to at­ tinuous. large-scale attack since 1965. The tempt to avoid a direct mllitary involvement All told, one acre in eight of South Vietnam largely overlooked and presumably incidental was sprayed. representing an area the size in the southeast Asian conflict·... impact of the Second Indochina War on the This amendment is not an interference of Massachusetts in a. country the size of land and indigenous populations of that New England. with the exercise of the President's constitu­ region has been of monumental proportions. tional rights. It is merely an expression of One of the few :factual summaries of this In the areas sprayed there has been an the sense of Congress. Would the Senator disruption was published last year by the alteration and simplification of the plant accept the amendment? Senate Foreign Relations Committee (under and animal communities. a loss of mineral Mr. FULBRIGHT. It states fairly accurately the title "Impact of the Vietnam War"). nutrients. acceleration of erosion in oilly What the PresIdent has said would be our From the data presented we can approximate terrain. the reduction in ecosystem produc­ policy. and what I stated my understanding that as a result of this war, one out of every tivity. Restoration time in the once sprayed was as to our policy; also what other Sena­ 35 inhabitants of all Indochina has so far areas is expected to exceed one decade and tors have stated. been killed. one In 15 wounded, and one In In the mUltiply sprayed areas at least sev­ six made a refugee. The social disruption eral decades. Approximately one million Implied by these figures Is difficult to grasp; acres have been utterly devastated by herbi­ I do not object to it as a statement of cides (two-thirds of these being upland policy. I believe it is an accurate reflection the proportionate Impact on the United states. with its popUlation of 200 million forest, one-third coastal mangrove forest). of what I believe is the President·s policy. It is estimated that over the years food was judging ·from his own statements. That does would be: 5.700,000 killed. 13,300,000 wounded. and 33 million displaced. intentionally destroyed SUfficient to supply not mean that as a practical matter I can the total.diets for one full year of approxl- accept the amendment. It would delay mat­ A WAR AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENT mately % million Vietnamese (largely cl- ters to do 50. It would cause confusion and require a conference. and present us with all However, the Second Indochina War has vllian. primarily Montagnard); additional the other difficulties that are involved in this been waged against the land as much as amounts were destroyed as a concomitant of kind of legislative action. I regret that I can­ against the people. It is in the light of the forest spraying. The herbicides seem to have not do it. even though I do not at all dis­ Intimate association With and direct de- directly and Indirectly resulted in medical agree with the amendment as a general state­ pendence upon the resources of the land by and veterinary problems. Timber losses have ment of policy. largely primitive peoples, and in the :further been estimated to total 6.5 billion board feet, light of our new awareness of all mankind's sufficient to supply South Vietnam's timber I would think that ought to be a suffi­ cient answer to those who have repeatedly dependence on his natural environment that. needs for three decades. insisted tb,at the Tonkin resolution was a a growing number of scientists throughout" The herbicide program seems to have the nation and the world, have become ap- ~ ended, but its effects will long be felt. both blank check. It was not. I had reservations. ~. So did others. I was assured that we were palled by the long-range ecological Impact of in terms of the environment and In terms not changing our role in southeast Asia. We so-calied limited counterinsurgency warfare.I! of the erosion of international arms control. have changed it. Obviously we cannot turn A further major concern has been the re- THE ROME-PLOW PROGRAM: newed dependence by the United states In . back the clock. But I trust that, for the sake this frustrating conflict on chemical weap-' Land01earlng WIth tractors. a program of the historical record this may correct ons. This latter approach, with its serious • restrIcted to South Vietnam. began on a those gross misinterpretations of the record public health and ecological implications. is small scale in 1965, became a. large-scale 50 which have been frequently uttered on R form of warfare which the civilized world elfort in 1968, and is apparently continuing the floor and elsewhere in recent months. had hoped was put to rest with the end of undiminished to this day. This little known Mr. FULBRIGHT. Mr. President, in that con­ World War I operation, devoted at first to the clearing of nection. I certainly agree With what the D Pf'If' ( ildlif list) d I ( roadsides and other lines of communication Senator from Wisconsin has said. He is right r. el e: awe zoo og an a in order to discourage ambushes, has for the to have made it. r have stated that I under­ forest botamst) have made several tours of past several years now been used on a m!lS­ stood. from the information that was given Indochina during the past three years to as- sive scale to literally obliterate forested areas to us, a specific incident was presented as sess the extent of ecological disruption of possible use to the other side. In its the reason for that resolution. It was that caused by the weapons and tec';1niques em- isslon of denying cover and sanctuary the a direct attack had been made on our ships ployed by the United States. VIe were lim- method appears to be without equal. The on the high seas--this is what we were told­ Ited in our studies by the obvious difflculties basic tool 15 a 20-ton tractor fitted out with where they had a right to be. associated with working in an active theater a. 2Y2-ton "Rome plow" and 14 tons of added We were told it was an unprovoked at­ of war and by the paucity of pertinent in- armor. At least flve companies of more than tack. In other words. we had not done any­ formation that has been released by our gov- thirty tractors each are in continuous oper­ thing that properly could be considered as ernment. What follows then Is an attempt at aUon. As of last August about 750,000 acres provocation. These facts are difficult for a conservatively summarizing the elo.;;ent 0 of land of South Vietnam had been scraped 13362 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE April 19, 1972 bare by this means (an area the size of the rate of several per week. The Commando The essential fact that President Kennedy. Rhode Island); and clearing progresses at VaUlt, a concussion bomb filled With a President Johnson, and President NiXon have the rate of more than 1.000 acres per day. slurry of ammonium nitrate and aluminum fa1led to understand or to admit Is that the Plowing results In severe site degradation. pOWder, Is detonated just above the ground North Vietnamese will go on fighting Indefi­ weed Invasion (often by the tenacious cogon and leaves no crater; much of its blast is nitely, at whatever cost, but that the Ameri­ grass). utter destruction of wildlife habitat. directed in the horizontal direction. The tre­ cam, beIng unconvlnced the Issue is a vital and major erosion and exacerbated fiood mendous blast wave required to shear oft' one to them, will not. damage in hilly terrain. The South Viet­ large trees and blow them 106 feet or more Therefore the final settlement, by fighting namese forest service has estimated as of away In every direction from the epicenter or by negotiation, w1ll IneVitably be made last summer that more than 20 million continues outward for at least 1,300 feet between Vietnamese. Bombing may prolong board feet of readily accessible hardwood (aCCOrding to a recent Pentagon release) the war but will not settle it. timber on 126 thousand acres had been de­ with a suflicient overpressure to kill or The second fact that Is clear Is that con­ stroyed In this program; and French rubber Injure all exposed humans and Wildlife. The tinued United States bombing will not "Vlet­ ofliclals have determined that 2.500 acres of average casualty zone per bomb Is thus 122 namlze" the war or get the United States rubber plantations had similarly fallen to acres (seven times the size of the White out of It. As long as our bombing continues the plow. House grounds) and perhaps greater. The we shall not know whether the South Viet­ In short. "pacifying" an area with Rome Commando Vault bomb Is a totally indis­ namese, after seven years of massive Amer­ plOWS rather than with herbicides seems at criminate. wide-area weapon which results Ican support, are at last able to stand on once more dclent milltarlly and more de­ In the complete local ecological disruption of their own feet. structive environmentally. the strike area. As long as our bombing continues more United States lives will be lost, the number BOMBING AND SHELLING RECOMMENDATION of United States Prisoners In enemy hands Conventional bombing and shelllng. the It becomes Vital in this time of a rapidly will increase, and the chance of getting any former throughout Indochina and the latter degrading world environment that man seek prisoners released will be nil. mostly In South Vietnam. have become the the knowledge of all the ecological ramifica­ As long as our bombing continues the pos­ major means of "landscape management" in tions of his current and potential activities. sib1llty of detente with the SOViet Union and this war. The one lasting impression that On 7 October 1970 the Congress through China, and of a comprehensive stab111zation remains after fiylng over the country Is of Publlc Law 91-441 [Sect. 506 (c) (1») author­ of Southeast Asia, wlll be delayed and per­ an endless number of craters. A conservative Ized a study by the National Academy of haps jeopardized. estimate of the actual number of these giant Sciences of the ecological impact of the The old argument that the bombing Is "to pox on the landscape Is over 26 m1ll10n­ Iherblcide program, an investigation now protect American forces" Is completely currently being added to at the rate of at in progress [cf. Congressional Record 117 threadbare, now that we have practically least several thousand per day. (148): SI5995-816oo1; 6 October 1971). withdrawn from ground combat and our Munitions expenditures during t~ seven­ However, since the herbicides seem to be small residual forces are not being directly year period 1965-1971 were 26 billion pounds. dwarfed In their ecological impact by this attacked. twice U.S. expenditures throughout World war's other assauits on the environment, So-called "agreements" about reciprocal War n in all Its theaters. During this time this investigation is clearly too limited In restraint announced by the United States in span the U.s. thus expended munitions in its scope. It is impol'tant now that serious 1968 were never acknowledge by the North Indochina with an explosive energy equiva­ consideration be given to the Vietnam War Vietnamese and have long since been vio­ lent to 450 Hiroshima bombs (I.e., the explo­ Ecological Damage Assessment Act 01 1972 lated by both sides. We know, moreover, sive equivalent of one Hiroshima drop every recently Introduced by senator Nelson [So from bitter experience between 1965 and 5% days). In terms of the peoples of all indo­ 3084; cf. Congressional Record 118(9): 1968 that bombing Indo-Chlna Is Inherently china, the total represents 584 pounds per S664--S665; 28 January 1971) and the com­ Indecisive, that it will not win the war, or person; In terms of its land, 142 pounds per panion bill introduced by Representative intimidate HanoI. acre. In terms of frequency, this sum repre­ Gude [H.E. 13010; cf. Congressional Record What seema to be taking place on the sents 118 pounds per second throughout this 118(15)H838; 7 February 1972]. American side therefore is primarily a entire seven-year period. buying of time untll November. The United Estimating the average crater to be 30 feet [From the Christian SCience Monitor. States public Is Simply not going to stand in diameter and 15 feet deep, the combined Apr. 12, 1972] for indefinite United states participation in surface &rea. of the holes alone created be­ the war. tween 1965 and 1971 comes to almost % mU· THE MOMENT OF TI1UTH IN VIETNAM At some point President Thleu and our llon acres, and the earth displaced by the ex­ (By Oharles W. Yost) South Vietnamese !r1ends are going to have plosions to a staggering 3.4 bllllon cubic NEW YORK.-The moment of truth has ar­ to be left to stand on their own feet and yards. rived in Vietnam-not for "Vietnaml.zation" prove that "Vletnamlzatlon" really works. More than 90% of aJ.l bombing and shell­ because, despite the vast armament we have Tbat means fighting without any United ing in Indochina have been barasslng and prOVided Mr. Thleu: President NiXon obVi­ States participation whatsoever, on the interdiction missions, in eft'ect directed ously does not intend to risk letting him go ground or In the air. though It does not against forests and fields. The bombs and it alone .agalnst the north. What Is being necessarily mean cutting of United States shells bave torn up countless trees; and the tested now. and probably w1ll be for the rest mlUtary and economic ald. sbrapnel bas been propelled over some 30 of 1972, Is "Vletnamlzation plus"-that Is, I hope personally that the South Viet­ mUllon acres hitting additional endless trees Vietnamese fighting on the ground and namese can stand on their own feet, fighting and thereby inviting fungal infection and American fighting from the air. if necessary, making their own political wood rot. The crate1'S have also disrupted ex­ W1ll Vietnamese and Americans In these settlement if possible. But I see no reason tensive agricultural areas, both d:1rectly and complementary belllgerent roles be able to whatsoever to believe that if they are un­ indirectly. Irrigation systems have been dis­ repulse General Glap's offensives as eft'ectively able to do so in April 1972, they will be able rupted and near the coast saltwater en­ as Vietnamese and Americans, both of them to do so in November 1972, or in April 1973. croachment has resulted. The craters have fighting on the ground, were able to do In The United States has already been in exposed lateritic soil to the atmosphere per­ the past? That Is the immediate question. Indo-Ohlna for too long. Let us not, because mitting It to harden irreversibly. Milllons of This strategy Is no doubt designed to get Hanoi has Inconveniently but predictably new breeding ponds have been created for Americans out of ground combat, where lives chosen this moment for an offensive, allow disease-carrying mosquitoes. In h111y terrain, are lost. but nevertheless to enable them still ourselves to be suckered In all over again. erosion has been accelerated. Finally, since to playa sufliciently decisive role to prevent This Is not February, 1965. 1%-2 % of the bombs and shells expended either victory or significant successes by the Let us at long last "Vletnamize" 100 per­ are duds, there are now JA million of these North Vietnamese. cent, stop bombing. arrange the release of scattered about, many of which are apt to ex­ This has no doubt been the President's our prisoners, and ge~ out completely. This plode if bumped into. for example. during dual objective ever since January, 1969- to should not be a partisan political issue. It Is plowing. achieve by November, 1972, both a with­ In the Interest of all Americans. All in all, the eft'ects of the truly massive drawal of United States ground combat forces bombing and shelling may well prove to be and a victory for Mr. Thieu In the sense that [From the Facts, Aug. 15, 1964) the least recognized and most permanently at that date he would still control Saigon disruptive legacy of this war. and most of the south. KASTENMEIER AND NELSON-ApOSTLES OF THE COMMANDO VAULT BOMB Obviously no one can be sure at this writ­ ,ApPEASEMENT The 15,OOO-pound BLU-82/B "Commando ing whether this strategy will succeed. Two Democrat Oongressman Robert Kasten­ VaUlt" bomb can be dropped into dense. facts. however, one can be sure of: It will meier. of Wisconsin's 2nd District, and triple-canopy jungle to create an instant not end the war, and it will not get the Democrat Senator Gaylord Nelson added a helicopter landlng zone which averages 3.3 Americans out of It. new chapter to the "Democrat Handbook of acres in size (an area larger than a football It will not end the war because, if Hanoi Surrender" last week. The two liberal ex­ field). This bizarre item of ordnance became would not stop fighting when it was con­ tremists announced that they were not operational In 1970. although experimental fronted by half a million American troops happy with Pres. Lyndon Johnson's decision drops may have begun as early as 1967. pius heavy American bombing of much of to finally put a little back-bone in Ameri­ By rough estimate about 200 have been the north, it is certainly not going to stop can policy regardlng Communist aggression expended, and now seem to be dropped at when it Is confronted by the bombing alone. in Vietnam. Apl'il 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13363 Johnson, after months of drift and Inde­ a military perspective. His remarks in­ for our withdrawal from Vietnam. The Presi­ cision, was forced to take strong action cluded the following statement: dent has signed the repeal of the Gulf of against the North Vietnamese Communists Tonkin resolution. It was that resolution after their PT-boats launched a second at­ I am also concerned from a purely military which often had be~ cited as a positive tack on U.S. Navy ships. It was the kind of point of view about our present pollcy. For congressional &uthorizatlon for our mllitary firmness Republican leaders had recom­ the moment, the policy seems to have suc­ ceeded In reducing casualties and Withdraw­ Involvement In Indochina. Its repeal would mended all along In the Administration's ing some troops. Yet where will our pollcy s~em to remove the last vestige of constltu­ half-hearted fight against Communism. tlOnallegltlmacy to our war policy. Certainly But Kastenmeier, after voting for the lead us, militarily, by the end of this year? the President has the constitutlonai power to Joint Congressional Resolution givIng sup­ What will happen if, when American ground protect American troops and to bring them port to a more firm anti-Communist policy, combat units are deactivated, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong choose to move all home; but he is not empowered, In my had second thoughts. He reverted back to against the South Vietnamese army, and jUdgment, to continue a policy involving spirit of "accommodation" recommended by make substantial strategic gains? There are offensive military operations and leading to the Infamous "Liberal Papers" sponsored by many military analysts who believe that they a limitless commitment of American forces in Kastenmeler in 1962. will have this capability. In other words, what Vietnam. Questions of far more than sup­ "The Liberal Papers" have been described will happen if Vietnamlzatlon begins to fall port or OPPosItion to a particular policy are as an astounding left-winO' extremist plan mllitarlly? My fear is that we wouid be Involved here. Fundamentally, we are deallng for "coexisting" with co~munlst by crip­ with the basic meaning of the Constitution tempted by steps of futllemllitary escalation th~ pling the U.S. defensive position with nu­ in order to prevent the failure of a policy. and whether Its intention regarding merous major and unilateral concessions to It Is my sincere concern that our present balance of powers between the executive and "accommodate" Khrushchev and Mao Tse­ course of action may not succeed even In legislative branch in matters of war and tung. Its mllltary objectives ... peace are to have any real meaning today. The Liberal Project proposals are based on During a televised conversation with three the "no win" philosophy of the New Fron­ Because of the relevance of the Sena­ newsmen on July I, 1970, Howard K. Smith tier. They give Americans only two alterna­ tor's remarks for our situation today, I of ABC asked the President about the legal tives: Surrender to Communlsm--or dIe. ask unanimous consent that his' entire basis of our Vietnam involvement In the Among the Liberal papers' recommendations: speech appear in the RECORD, together llght of the repeal of the Gulf of Tonkin Recognltion of Red China-Admission of with a speech he made in the Senate on resolution: Red China to the U.N.-Recognition of Red January 27, 1971. LEGAL BASIS FOR VIETNAM ACTION China's claim to Formosa and the Pesca­ Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, one of the things dores Islands-Financial aid to Red China There being no objection, the state­ ments were ordered to be printed in that happened In the Senate last week was (No "11beral" Ignores any opportunity to re­ the rescinding of the Gulf of Tonkin resolu­ cruit new recipients for U.S. foreign ald)­ the RECORD. as follows: tion by the Senate. Mr. Katzenbach, demilitarization of West Germany-Shut­ STATEMENT BY SENATO.R HATF'IELD down of American mlsslle bases In Europe­ in the previous administration, told the allow Russia to "plug In" on our DEW Line The measures of escalation we have un­ Foreign Relations Committee that resolu­ (distant early warning) to warn Reds of dertaken are prlmarlly another effort to shore tion was tantamount to a congressional dec­ "surprlse" attacks by the U.S. up the Thleu regime with American mill­ ~aration of war. If It Is rescinded, what legal tary power. That Is a formula for endless Justification do you have for continuing to Kastenmeler and his elCtremlst friends fight a war that Is undeclared in Viet-Nam? would make all these concessions In exchange American Involvement In this war. All our past steps of escalation have falled to end The ~ESIDENT. First, Mr. Smith, as you for promises by Khrushchev and Mao Tse Jr.now, thIS war, whlle It was undeclared, was Tung to "behave themselves". the war. Realistically, these will meet With the same resuit. here when I became President of the United Sen. Nelson, of course, recommended a few The only way to protect our troops is to States. I do not say that critically. I am sim­ weeks ago that the U.S. pulI out of Viet Nam, bring them all home, now. The oniy hope ply stating the fact that there were 549.000 paving the way for a Communist takeover Americans In Viet-Nam under attack when I of all Southeast Asia. for recovering our POW's Is to announce an end to all our involvement--land. sea and became President. Nelson and Kastenmeler have been on slm­ air-In exchange for their return. The President of the United States has the liar anti-anti-Communist ground before. constitutional rlght--not only the right but Both have a.ttacked the House Commlttee on Long ago, Americans stopped believing the promises of their leaders who said our bombs the responsiblllty-to use his powers to pro­ Un-American Activities repeatedly. Kasten­ tect American forces when they are engaged meIer even voted once to deny the Commlt­ would bring peace. The weight of responsi­ bility, however, falls again on the shoulders In mllltary actions; and under these circum­ tee necessary funds to Investigate commu­ stances, starting at the time I became Pres­ nist activity in the U.S. Nelson, whlle Gov­ of the Congress. This was not President Johnson's war. It Is not President Nixon's ident, I have that power and I am exercising ernor of Wisconsin, called for abo11t1on of that power. the Committee. war. It was not a Democratic war. It Is not Kastenmeler and Nelson have chosen a Republlcan war. It Is the Congress' war, LIMITED u.s. OBJECTIVES strange bedfellows by their opposition to a for the Congress has given the money to pay Mr. SMITH. Sir, I am not recommending for it. And the members of Congress can stop this, but if JOu don't have a legal authority to strong U.S. policy toward Communist ag­ that money anytime the people convince gression. But Wisconsin citizens are not go­ wage a war, then presumably you could move Ing to follow their "liberal" lead. If they :them that we must have no more of this troops out. It would be possible to agree With choose to lay llke lambs with the 110n of tragedy. the North Vietnamese. They would be de­ communism, they will have to do so with­ Eloquent outrage In the halls of Congress lighted to have us surrender. So you could­ out taking America with them. is Irrelevant. Sense of the Senate resoiutlons What justification do you have for keeping are naive. Partisan profiteering over these troops there other than protecting the Mr. CRANSTON. Mr. President, I also futlle acts of escalation Is Irresponsible. Con­ troops that are there fighting? want to say that we have endeavored to gress must simply exercise the power given The PRESIDENT. A very significant justifica­ have this a bipartisan debate. It has been to It by the Constitution, and cut off funds tion. It Isn't just a case of seeing that the bipartisan. Democrats have spoken on for this misadventure. bringing it to a close. Americans are moved out In an orderly way. This Is a challenge, not to the Administra­ If that were the case we could move them out this ~ide in support of the policy, A Re­ tion, but to each elected member of the publIcan who was to have spoken against more quickly; but it is a case of moving House and Senate. American forces out In a way that we can &t the present policy, the Senator from If there is speechlessness. dismay, and the same time win a just peace. Oregon (Mr. HATFIELD) cannot be be here apathy In our land, It is because we have Now, by Winning a just peace, what I mean because of the death of his father. become numbed Into sllent disbelief. Our is not victory over North Vlet-Nam-we are Yesterday. Senator HATFIELD made a country went through a national polltlcal not asking for that-but It is simply the right statement concerning the current situa­ trauma four years ago to stop, once and for of the people of South Vlet-Nam to deter­ all, what has been going on again during mine their own future without having us Im­ tion in Indochina, and I would like to these past days. bring it to the attention of my colleagues. pose our wllI upon them. or the North Viet­ But sllence Is acquiescence. And our apathv namese or anybody else outside impose their The foresight of Senator HATFIELD'S would only compound the tragedy of these will upon them. judgment on our involvement in Indo­ events. So we must speak our minds, but When we look at that llmited objective, I china is well l.-nov.n to the Members of more Important, Congress must redeem these am sure some would say, "Well, Is that really this body. I should like to point out, how­ times by stopping the funds for this war. worth It? Is that worth the effort of all these ever, a speech which the Senator made [From the Congressional Record, Jan. 27, Americans fighting In Vlet-Nam, the li,'es on January 27,1971, when he introduced 1971] that have been lost?" an amendment, which I joined in co­ I suppose it could be said that simply sav­ INTRODuCTION OF THE VIETNAM DISENGAGE­ Ing 17 mllllon people In South Vlet-Nam sponsoring, to cutoff funds for our in­ MENr ACT OF 1971 volvement in Indochina. In his remarks from a Communist takeover isn't worth the Vietnamiza~ Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President. one central efforts of the United States. But let's go he questioned the policy of event has taken place since the Congress last further. If the United States, after all of this tion from a moral, a constitutional, and considered legislation requiring a deadllne effort, if we were to withdraw Immediately, C~I----843--Part11 13364 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -SENATE April 19, 1972 as many Americans would want us to do-­ I can think of no more urgent question be­ any progress, we must demonstrate tlexibillty and it would be very easy for me to do it and fore the 92d Congress than the attempt to de­ on either of two critical points: The first is simply blame it on the previous administra­ fine and determine the constitutional au­ a deadline for our complete withdrawal of tion-but if we were to do that, I would prob­ thority for our military actions in Indochina. troops; the second is a willingness to suspend ably survive through my term, but it would Therefore, I am compelled to introduce this our unqualltied support for the Thleu-Ky have, in my view, a catastrophic effect on this bill in order to prevent the further erosion of regime. My own belief is that the most feasi­ country and the cause of peace in the years our constitutional process. ble and responsible step for us to take is the ahead. The President has pointed out how his establishment of a date certain for our with­ Now, I know there are those who say the policies have reduced casualties from as many drawal. True negotiations for settling the domino th-=ory is obsolete. They haven't as 300 per week to as few as 30 per week, and war would be the likely result of such an talked to the dominoes. They should talk to how he has significantly reduced our troops initiative. This is the principle motivating the Thais, to the Malaysians, to the Shlga­ in Vietnam. In these efforts he has my full the Vietnam disengagement of 1971. poreans, to the Indonesians, to the Filipinos, support and approval. Yet, I am concerned Our present course of action seems de­ to the Japanese, and the rest. And if the about the Ultimate result of our present di­ signed to achieve the same objective of our United States leaves Viet-Nam in a way that rection of pollcy. Our first concern must be past policy: The survival of a friendly, non­ we are huml1lated or defeated-not simply finding a solution that wlll stop the war; the Communist government in South Vietnam; speaking in~ what is called jingoistic terms, goal of our policy in Indochina must be di­ thus, it attempts to preserve the support of but in very practical terms-this wlIl be im­ rected at a political solution to the conflict those who have favored our present pollcles. mensely discouraging to the 300 m1lUon peo­ that will enable an end to the fighting, Yet, our polley is also constructed to enable ple from Japan clear around to Thalland 1ll bombing, the suiferlng, and the destruction troop reductions and lowered casualties, at­ free Asia; and even more important, it wlll in that land. I do not beUeve it is necessary tempting to win the support of those who be ominously encouraging to the leaders of to recite the litany of the devast.ation that have opposed the war. But if this policy ap­ Communist China. and the Soviet Union, continues to inflict Indoch1lla. And even the pears to be Jeopardized mllitarlly, and also who are supporting the North Vietnamese. It brutallzlng facts of death and destruction prohibits the complete Withdrawal of our wlll encourage them in their expansionist seem to fall on a numbed and hardened na­ troops, then it will no longer hold decisive pollcies 1ll other areas. tional conscience. support from either of these segments of pub­ The world wlll be much safer in which to Suflice it to say that our polley must be llc opinion. The grim truth Is that it is not llve. directed toward enabling a polltical settle­ possible to construct a policy that will satisfy Mr. SMITH. I happen to be one of those who ment of the war. In recent months more and everyone. agrees with what you are saying, but do more rellance has been pla<:ed upon "Viet­ The majority of Americans, however, have you have a legal justification to follow that namlzation" as a means of "ending the war." made clear their opinion: They favor with­ pollcy once the Tonkin Gulf resO}ution is Yet, it should be clear that by its definition, drawal of all our troops by the end of 1971. dead? "Vietnamization" is a strategy for per­ The most recent survey of public opinion, The PRESIDENT. Yes, sir, Mr. Smith, the petuating the confilct. Of course such a pOlicy conducted by the Harris poll, estimated that legal justification is the one I have given, may seem desirable to some Americans, since 65 percent of Americans favored this optlon­ and that is the right of the President of the the main emphasis Is to shUt responsibility a growth of about 10 percent from last Sep­ United States under the Constitution to pro­ for infantry combat from Americans to South tember, when this proposal came to a vote In tect the Uves of American men. That is the Vietnamese soldIers; thus, it allows reduc­ the Senate. There is no unanimity possible legal justification. You may recall, of course, tions in the number of our troops in Vietnam on any alternative for our future Vietnam that we went through this same debate at and decreases American casualties. However, polley. Yet, there is a clear majority of opin­ the time of Korea. Korea was also an unde­ thIs strategy fails in two very Important ion which favors a date certain to complete clared war; and then, of course, we justi­ ways. First, it w1ll not lead to an end of our Withdrawal. fied it on the basis of a U.N. action. I belleve American Involvement in Vietnam; second, A negotiated settlement Is the means for we have a legal justification, and I intend It will not enable a negotiated polltical set­ ending the war; a timetable for withdrawal ;0 use it. , tlement of the war, Which Is also the oniy is the means to enable authentic negotia­ The apparent lack of any clear constitu­ way to 1llsure the safe return of captive tions: it is also the means for assuring the tional authority for our actions in Vietnam, Americans. Further, it could even fall in a return of our prisoners of war. and the uncertainties about this funda­ third way; it may prove to be m1lltarlly In his state of the Union address, the Pres­ mental question, seems to be clear from this unfeasible. ident said that the 92d Congress can help end discourse. For I do not belleve the constitu­ Vietnamlzation w11l lead this spring to our longest war. There is no cause that I tional right and duty of the President "to the "end of the ground combat role" for want more to achieve. The PTesldent's pro­ protect the llves of American men" is suffi­ Americans. But many seem to be misled grams, and the spirit in Which they were cient legal and constitutional justification by just What that means. Ending ground presented, won my deepest respect and ad­ for sustaining American troops and power in­ combat implles; as I said, that the of­ miration. Because I share his bellef In these, definitely in prolonged armed conflict in the fensive Infantry operations w11l fall more to I offer this alternative as the most responsible support of a foreign government, with no the South Vietnamese. Yet, Americans w1ll means for bringing the war In Indochina to positive grant of approval by the U.S. Con­ stlIl fly hellcopters, fire art11lery, and drop a close. Without that accompUshment, all of gress. bombs, as well as "protect" their installa­ our noblest goals wlll remain idle dreams. These matters transcend our bellefs about tions, convoys, and troop deployments. In whether present pollcy is the prope.· way for reallty, Vietnamlzation is a Change in the Mr. CRANSTON. Mr. President, I want us to seek an end to the confllct in Indo­ tactics of the war, designed chlefiy to make to thank all of those, Whatever their china. At stake is the sanctity of constitu­ our policy more palatable to the American viewpoints, who participated in this dis­ tional government. pUbllc. It is not a formula for ending Amer­ cussion. When I suggested that we hold Congress' responsibl11ty for participating in ican involvement or achieving a settlement this debate, I hoped we would focus pub­ the decisions and the responsiblllty of war of the c~mtlict. The success of Vietnamiza­ lic attention on the new, troubling de­ was expressed eloquently by Abraham Lin­ tlon requires a continued American involve­ velopments in Vietnam. I pray we have coln when he said: ment and postUlates the lack of a negotiated "Allow the President to invade a neighbor­ settlement of the war. aroused renewed public concern. I had ing nation whenever he shall deem it neces­ I am also concerned from a purely mill­ hoped, too, to demonstrate to the Ameri­ sary to repel an invasion, and you allow him tary point of view about our present pollcy. can people that the U.S. Senate remains to do so Whenever he may choose to say he For the moment, the polley seems to have a center of national concern and of na­ deems it nf;cessary for such a purpose, and succeeded in reducing casualties and with­ tional conscience. I pray that we have you allow him to make war at his pleasure, drawing some troops. Yet where will our succeeded there too. Study to see if you can fix any llmit to his pollcy lead us, m1lltary, by the end of this I had hoped that both sides would shed power in this respect, after haVing given him year? What will happen if, when American so muc!;! power as you propose ... ground combat units are deactivated, the light on American plans and intentions "The provision of the Constitution giving North Vietnamese and Vietcong choose to in Southeast Asia. I think we have clari­ the war-making power to Congress was dic­ move against the South Vietnamese Army, fied matters somewhat-though I must tated, as I understand it, by the following and malw substantial strategic gains? There say I am not altogether happy about some reasons: Kings had always been involving are many military analysts who believe that of the military implications hiding in the and impoverishing their people in wars, pre­ they will have this capability. In other words, explanations given by administration tending generally, If not always, that the what will happen if Vietnamizatlon begins supporters on the floor. good of the people was the object. This our to fall militarily? My fear is that we would convention understood to be the most op­ be tempted by steps of futile milltary esca­ But my respect for and pride in the pressive of all kingly oppressions, and they lation in order to prevent the fallure of a U.S. Senate has been heightened by our resolved to so frame the Constitution that policy. It is my sincere concern that our debate this morning. My respect and no one man shOUld hold the power of bring­ present course of action may not succeed pride will rise still higher if we now take ing oppression upon us. But your view de­ e"en in its military objectives. action. stroys the whole matter, and pla<:es our :Presi­ If it is an end to the war that we wish Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, dent where kings have always stood."-Letter to achieve, that must come through nego­ I wish to thank the distinguished senior to Henldon while in Congress. tiations. In order for negotiations to make Senator from California (Mr. CRANSTON) April 19, 1972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE 13365 for the fine way in which he arranged have been confiscated by the Treasury "Days of Water" and abruptly ended the fes­ and fioor-managed the debate which has Department. Newsweek, which is not tival, which. they said. violated tile Trad­ occurred during almost 4 hours of the exactly a leftwing jomnal, says of this ing With the Enemy Act. Michael Myerson, session today. I also wish to thank all International director of American Docu­ action: mentary Films. which sponsored the festival, Senators who participated in that debate The entire affalr is a pity, really, for some immediately sought an injunction. But he on both sides of the aisle and on both of the Cuban films are remarkably well done. was no more successful than he had been in sides of the question. I think that theirs interesting works that deserve to be seen an earlier effort to force the State Depart­ was an excellent presentation of the by American audiences. ment to issue visas to four Cuban filmmakers matter, and again I want to thank all invited to attend the festival. The govern­ It describes one of them as "clearly a ment·s actions, said Myerson, were "Vindic­ Senators for their fine cooperation in masterpiece" and two as "so brilliant adhering to the time limitations previ­ tive" and "absurd:' "Look at the transac­ that they rank with the best ever made tions going on with China," he added. Indeed, ously agreed upon for the various orders, in Latin America." just 40 blocks south. the Chinese were peace­ thus allowing the Senate to resume, The Washington Post article reports fully mOVing into the recently purchased shortly, its consideration of the unfin­ that the United States and the Soviet home for their U.N. delegation, a converted ished business. Union have agreed to extend and ex­ luxury motel. Presumably Castro is more pand their cultural, scientific and educa­ menacing than Mao. LEAVE OF ABSENCE tional exchanges. The Post quotes So­ AGITPROP viet Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei The entire affair Is a pity. really. for some Mr. ALLO'IT. I ask unanimous con­ Slnirnov as saying that the cultural of the Cuban films a~'e remarka'bly well done, sent that I be excused from attendance agreements had "invariably proved to be interesting works that deserve to be seen by on the Senate from 5 o'clock this after­ beneficial for both sides" and have "a American audiences. Yes, the films portray noon until Monday morning for the pur­ the revolution as the greatest event since positive infiuence on the general status the Enlightenment. And yes, most of them, pose of attending a meeting of the Board of rel