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Vietnam - Congressional Trip
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Vietnam - Congressional Trip
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John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)
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The original documents are located in Box 43, folder "Vietnam - Congressional Trip" of
the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 43 of The John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FEB 14 1974
M
February 14, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DONALD RUMSFELD
FROM:
MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF
SUBJECT:
Viet Nam Trip
Senator Humphrey indicated this afternoon that he does not
believe it would be appropriate for him to participate in the
Congressional Viet Nam trip for two reasons: 1. He is loaded
up with hearings before the Joint Economic Committee, and
2. Because of his role in the Johnson Administration he is
considered by many key Senators to be a part of the pro Viet Nam
coalition and, therefore, believes his objectivity would be
questioned.
Senator Clifford Case of New Jersey pulled out of the trip
this afternoon apparently because publicity and adverse editorials
in New Jersey.
Senator Humphrey is going to speak to Senator Sparkman and urge
him to appoint a Senatorial delegation to go to Viet Nam.
CC: General Scowcroft
Jack Marsh
LIBRARY FORD
R.
GERALO
FEB 13 10/4
on
February 13, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF
SUBJECT:
Viet Nam Trip
You phoned Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia last Monday in
Parkersburg to ask if the leadership would sponsor a trip
by Members of Congress to Viet Nam.
Senator Byrd called today in response to your call. He stated
that he had spoken with Senator Mansfield about this and they
indicated as the Senate Democratic leadership they will not
sponsor such a trip. Senator Byrd commented that they believe
they have enough facts regarding the situation and their support
in a Viet Nam trip would be inadvisable.
Senator Byrd also said that if Senator Sparkman in his capacity
as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee wished
to participate, the Senate Democratic leadership has notobjection.
Senator Hugh Scott has also been uncooperative and indicated
his desire not to participate in the selection of the Senators
invited for the trip.
On the House side John Rhodes has been critical of the trip and
has avoided any participation.
The Speaker also has not been receptive and indicated a lack of
interest.
Meanwhile the State Department has been active and invited a
number of Senators and Congressmen who have accepted, including
the following:
Senate
House
Dewey Bartlett
William Broomfield
Bill Brock
Paul McCloskey
Clifford Case
Elford Cederberg
Dick Clark
Bill Chappell
Jake Garn
Donald Fraser
Paul Laxalt
Jack Kemp
Dante Fascell
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
The date of departure, as we discussed this morning, is
becoming a factor because of impending Senate vote on the oil
deferral bill and the possibility of veto votes after that.
Stan Kimmitt, with Senator Mansfield's office, advised us
this morning that the Senate Majority Leader is concerned
about Democrat Senators being absent with these important
votes pending.
MLF:jg
bcc:
Jack Marsh
Donald Rumsfeld
FORD LIBRARY & SERVID
February 18, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
ROBERT INGERSOLL
ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE
FROM:
JACK MARSH
COUNSELLOR TO THE PRESIDENT
Background:
There seems to be confusion among members of the House and Senate concerning
the proposed Congressional trip to South Vietnam. This concern was expressed
by Congressman Cederberg to the President and members of his staff this
morning at the GOP Leadership Breakfast.
This concern seems to focus on the following areas:
1. What Members are to participate.
2. The itinerary.
3. Departure and return dates.
4. Who is in charge of planning.
In order to clarify the situation. the following course of action is suggested.
1. A private meeting by a senior official of the State Department with
Congressman Cederberg to obtain his guidance in reference to the
above questions.
2. A meeting on a bi-partisen basis with senior members from both bodies
to clarify questions about the trip and to facilitate plans and execution.
FORD
3. Develop an itinerary that reflects Congressional desires GERALD and BRAND requests.
-2-
4. Maintain coordination on planning through your Congressional L. A.
Max Friedersdorf and the NSC.
5. Report back any problems and difficulties encountered as a result of the
above meetings with Members.
The dates of the trip are critical and it is essential that planning take into consi-
deration the requirements of the presence of Members for voting on key legisla-
tive matters before the Congress. The energy program is slated for key votes
in the House and Senate within the next two weeks.
Congressman Cederberg also mentioned a change in the itinerary to enable the
Congressional group to meet with Sihanouk. This raises questions not only
with him and other Members, but also with others in the Executive Branch. I
suspect this has already been brought to your attention and early clarification
of this would be extremely helpful.
FORD LIBRARY is 0ERALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
2/20/75 - Russ spoke at
great length to Mr. Cosdick
of Sen. Helms' Office.
FEB 1 1975
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
February 20, 1975
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mr. Jack Marsh
Counsellor to the President
FROM:
Robert S. Ingersoll
RSI
SUBJECT:
Congressional Delegation to Vietnam
I wish to follow up our telephone conversation
on February 19 concerning your memorandum to me of
February 18 about the Congressional delegation to
visit Vietnam.
We have taken action on all points mentioned in
your memorandum, specifically:
1. Phil Habib (our Assistant Secretary for East
Asian and Pacific Affairs) called on Cong. Cederberg
on February 18, and talked to him again by telephone
twice in the same day, to provide information and
solicit his views.
2. Habib and Bob McCloskey met with the potential
delegation members at 4:00 p.m. on February 18 to
discuss all aspects of the itinerary, logistics, etc.
(Cederberg was not at this meeting.)
3. Our Congressional Relations staff are in continual
touch with Max Friedersdorf and his people about plans
for the delegation. However, I should add that Max'
staff has been almost totally preoccupied with legisla-
tive action on the Energy Program, and therefore have
not had much time for the Vietnam project.
We fully understand that the idea of a delegation to
Vietnam was a Congressional initiative, and that our role
is to lend advice and support rather than to take the lead.
We also understand that the need for critical votes in
support of the President's Energy Program may force a post-
ponement of the trip (and in fact that has already happened)
However, for the moment we will proceed with plans so that
all arrangements will be complete when the delegation is
finally prepared to depart.
SERALD FORD .
February 18, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
ROBERT INGERSOLL
ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE
FROM:
JACK MARSH
COUNSELLOR TO THE PRESIDENT
Background:
There seems to be confusion among members of the House and Senate concerning
the proposed Congressional trip to South Vietnam. This concern was expressed
by Congressman Cederberg to the President and members of his staff this
morning at the GOP Leadership Breakfast.
This concern seems to focus on the following areas:
1. What Members are to participate.
2. The itinerary.
3. Departure and return dates.
4. Who is in charge of planning.
In order to clarify the situation. the following course of action is suggested.
1. A private meeting by a senior official of the State Department with
Congressman Cederberg to obtain his guidance in reference to the
above questions.
2. A meeting on a bi-partisan basis with senior members from both bodies
to clarify questions about the trip and to facilitate plans and execution.
3. Develop an itinerary that reflects Congressional desires and requests.
FORD is LIBRARY BERRID
-2-
4. Maintain coordination on planning through your Congressional L. A.,
Max Friedersdorf and the NSC.
5. Report back any problems and difficulties encountered as a result of the
above meetings with Members.
The dates of the trip are critical and it is essential that planning take into consi-
deration the requirements of the presence of Members for voting on key legisla-
tive matters before the Congress. The energy program is slated for key votes
in the House and Senate within the next two weeks.
The genesis of this program helps keep in perspective the White House and
Executive Departments roles. The trip was mentioned by the President at a
Leadership Breakfast after he had earlier received a suggestion from the Hill
that such a bi-partisan trip would be helpful. The original plan was this would
be a Congressionally sponsored visit with support from the Executive Branch
so Congress could have its own independent fact-finding mission. This Con-
gressional emphasis should be kept in mind.
Your help and assistance on this would be greatly appreciated.
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 3, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF
FROM:
BOB WOLTHUIS
SUBJECT:
Viet Nam/Cambodia Congressional Trip
Part I
The trip on balance appears to be a plus. Upon arrival in
Saigon on Thursday the delegation held its first meeting with
Ambassador Martin at 2 P.M. I think the Ambassador did an
excellent job in conveying the Embassy's position to the
delegation. At 4 P.M. the entire delegation was received
by President Thieu for nearly a two hour session. This was
highlighted by a question answer period which I feel was
very frank and I think the performance of President Thieu
made a positive impression on most of the Members.
On Friday the delegation broke into subgroups and I accompanied
Congressmen Chappel and Murtha to Military Region 1 and it
was evident as a result of that visit that they will be very
helpful to the President.
In this memo I shall not describe the activities of the entire
delegation for the entire trip because that report has been
assembled by the Embassy and should be available for your use
and the President's sometime late today or tomorrow.
The visit to Cambodia was very helpful and impressed the
delegation with the seriousness of the situation there. Upon
arrival we met with Ambassador Dean who, with the military
attache, explained the encircling seige of the city. The
delegation then went to visit with Lon Nol and this meeting
was not nearly as impressive or as helpful as the Thieu meeting
in Saigon. Lon Nol does not speak English but did make a strong
appeal for assistance. It was in this meeting that he offered
to do anything that would result in a solution to the Cambodian war.
Most people in attendance including myself understood this to
mean that Lon Nol offered to resign if necessary. The press has
also given his remarks that interpretation. At this point I
joined Senator Bartlett and Congressman McCloskey and Eric Von
Marbod of Defense joined Congressmen Chappel and Murtha for
visits to the front lines. Just prior to our departure for
Saigon the airport in Phnom Penh was shelled with three rounds of
artillery fire.
FORD LIBRARY
-2-
Upon returning to Saigon that evening President Thieu again
entertained the delegation at a State Dinner. He gave a brief
address which I found to be very courageous and this too is
on its way to me. The essence of his speech was that the
South Vietnamese people had their back to the wall, they
have relied on the American commitment and he strongly urged
the delegation to have the Congress honor that commitment.
On Sunday the delegation spent most of its time visiting with
various representatives of opposition groups as well as the
Viet Cong and the North Vietnam representatives in Saigon. I
was not permitted to go to that meeting since the administration
representatives were all excluded.
The big story that I think will come out of the trip will deal
with political oppression. None the less I expect at least
five of the eight Members and possible six to recommend in
their report Congressional approval of the Supplemental for
South Viet Nam. The Cambodian aid request may not fair as
well. I am sure Congressmen Chappel and Murtha will support
it and I assume Senator Bartlett will also. Congressman
McCloskey probably leaning in that direction but I have some
doubt that Mrs. Fenwick will support the military aid. There
is no question that Mrs. Abzug will oppose military assistance
to Cambodia but will probably endorse continued humanitarian
assistance.
Part II
Based on my conversations with the Members of the delegation
as well as the key people who have been talking with them
throughout the trip I would like to give our collective impressions
as to where they may stand in the committee report.
1. Chairman Flynt --- He began making good sounds on the way
over and it is my understanding that he will endorse the Supplemental
for Viet Nam although maybe not at the full $300 million level. I
also expect him to endorse some form of military assistance for
Cambodia although he did not make the trip to Phnom Penh.
2. Senator Bartlett --- He made extensive notes over every
visit and interview and was in country three days longer than
the House Members except Congressman McCloskey. I expect
Senator Bartlett to be a strong supporter but will probably also
recommend that President Thieu broaden his political base in
South Viet Nam.
FORD
+
GERALD
LIBRARY
FORD
-3-
GERALD
LIBRARY
3. Congressman Chappel -- He will be a strong supporter
for both Cambodia and Viet Nam and I expect him to take
a strong lead in the Passman subcommittee and in the full
Appropriations Committee as well as on the floor. He went
over on our side and came back strongly reinforced.
4. Congressman McCloskey -- Without question the toughest
mind on the trip. He posed the hardest questions to the American
Embassy people and on balance I think he has moved quite a
way in our direction. He will continue to take a public
position against political oppression but I expect him to
support most of the Supplemental for South Viet Nam. He may not
be SO strong on the Cambodian aid request. His position I
consider to be the most critical of the whole delegation. On Sunday
afternoon prior to our departure for Washington he requested and
received a private audience with President Thieu. I do not know
yet what transpired in that meeting.
5. Congressman Murtha -- As you may know he served in Viet Nam
with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965-66. He hates the communists
and our trip to Military Region 1 was his idea so he could
retrace some of his activities in the Danang area. He will be
very strong for both Viet Nam and Cambodian military assistance
and is prepared to work very closely with us in the floor fights
in the House. I consider him to be a very valuable ally.
6. Congressman Don Fraser -- The most difficult of all the
delegation to read. He did travel outside of Saigon on one
occasion but he did not make the trip to Phnom Penh. He
spent considerable time with opposition leaders and groups and
I am sure he will take a strong position against political
oppression. If we get any help from him on military assistance
for either country I will consider it an unexpected plus.
7. Mrs. Abzug -- I believe she went there with a closed mine and
came home with a closed mind although it may have shaken her
a little bit. She will definitely oppose military assistance
to Cambodia because she is convinced that a blood bath is
inevitable whichever way the war goes. She will probably
endorse humanitanian assistance to Cambodia. I expect her to
make a good deal of noise about political prisoners, especially
19 newspaper people who are confined in South Viet Nam. I
expect her to oppose military assistance for Saigon.
8. Mrs. Fenwick -- I believe of all the people on the
delegation she has wrestled harder with the problem than anyone
else. She read everything she could get her hands on and while
she spent a great deal of time with Fraser and Abzug, she looked at
both sides very carefully. I think a Presidential nudge may be
helpful in her case based on the fact that she told one member
of our party that when she was a little girl she learned that if
a person made a commitment, that commitment should be kept.
-4-
Prior to leaving for Saigon, the delegation was furnished
a very long memorandum from the IndoChina Resources Center
here in Washington. This group is anti-Thieu and basically
represents the far out opposition groups in Saigon. The delegation
had all of this material and most of them read it en route to
Viet Nam.
Part III
In keeping with the schedule which you have recommended I
will call each member of the delegation and invite them to
a meeting with the President on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M.
However, I do recommend that the President personally call
Congress Flynt and make the invitation since Flynt has indicated
to me that he could not meet before Thursday.
The Republicans headed by Senator Bartlett have also asked
for a separate meeting with President Ford. I recommend that
this be done especially since it may solidify Mrs. Fenwick.
I do not believe it should occur before the Wednesday meeting
with the whole delegation. I recommend the following participants
in the Wednesday meeting besides the President:
Congressional delegation
Defense Department
Chairman Flynt
Secretary Schlesinger
Senator Bartlett
Eric Von Marbod
Congressman McCloskey
Congressman Chappel
Congressman Murtha
Congressman Fraser
Mrs. Abzug
Mrs. Fenwick
White House
Brent Scowcroft
Max Friedersdorf
Vern Loen
Bill Kendall
Bob Wolthuis
State Department
FORD
Secretary Kissinger
GERALD
Assistant Secretary Phil Habib
Ambassador Martin
P.S. I have made the invitations and all members of the Congressional
delegation have accepted for Wednesday at 11 A.M.