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Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
5
TRUMAN ADMINISTRATION
SUMMARY
The statements enclosed are from the period 1950 - 1952: from the Secretary of State's announcement marking the beginning of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam to the NATO resolution supporting the French fight in Indochina. The justifications advanced for the U.S. commitment in Indochina include the following:
- a. The Soviets are engaged in a "monstrous conspiracy to stamp out freedom all over the world," and Soviet imperialism, with Communist China as its instrument, poses a direct threat to the independence of the Associated States of Indochina.
- b. The defense of Indochina is an integral part of the worldwide resistance by free nations to communist aggression and subversion.
- c. The raw materials and agricultural products of Southeast Asia are "vitally needed" by the free nations of the world.
- d. The United States, in the interest of preventing a third world war, has provided aid to the Associated States and France.
A
