Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
7705243
label
MIA/POW - National League of Families Convention (2)
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
7705243
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
MIA/POW - National League of Families Convention (2)
citationUrl
collections
John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)
John Marsh's General Subject Files
subjects
Missing in action
Prisoners of war
Speeches, addresses, etc.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
7705243
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1976-08-31
month
8
year
1976
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1976-04-01
month
4
year
1976
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
93e644fee33d43bb
ocrText
The original documents are located in Box 21, folder "MIA/POW - National League of
Families Convention (2)" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 21 of The John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 19, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
DICK CHENEY
FROM:
PHIL BUCHEN
Bobbe
BOBBIE GREENE KILBERG
Bobbie spoke with Dick Wiley, General Counsel of DOD, this
afternoon and it is Wiley's legal opinion that, if the conditions
set forth below are met, DOD can legally provide transportation
for MIA families to and from Washington, D. C. for meetings
on July 22 through July 25, which include the 7th Annual Meeting
of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and
Missing In Southeast Asia, without violating the provisions of
31 U.S. C. § 551. The conditions are as follows:
(1) DOD must present its own program on those dates
which addresses DOD issues and operations.
(2) Invitations to participate in this DOD program must be
sent to all MIA families, including those families who are not
members of the National League or who are not planning to
attend the League meeting in D. C.
(3) The DOD program must consist of at least two separate
time block sections of at least two hours each and one of these
sessions must be either on DOD premises or in a meeting room
which DOD has specifically arranged to'use for that purpose.
(4) Substantive issues must be discussed at these sessions
and must involve policy matters that DOD has full or partial
policy responsibility for or a substantial interest in. At least
half of these topics must not already be on the League program.
2
(5) DOD must make arrangements for any MIA family who
so desires to read and discuss the full military file of the MIA
with a qualified military caseworker from the appropriate service
branch. The DOD invitation to all MIA families must state that
the files are available and that these arrangements can be made.
The Counsel's Office agrees with the opinion of the General Counsel
of DOD that the above conditions must be met in order to provide
a proper legal basis for DOD to provide transportation to and from
Washington, D.C. for MIA families on July 22-25. Responsibility
for meeting these conditions must rest with the senior officials at
DOD, and it is our recommendation that they be urged to give it
their highest priority and personal attention.
DIFENSE
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
MINITED of AMERICA
19
JUL
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
In reply refer to:
I-7606/76
Mr. Earl P. Hopper, Sr.
Executive Director
National League of Families
1608 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Dear Earl:
This letter is to further elaborate on Dr. Shields' March 26, 1976
letter which responded to your request for COIN ASSIST travel.
As Dr. Shields indicated to you in the earlier letter, DoD will pro-
vide whatever support we can. Unfortunately, the support this year
will be drastically reduced compared to previous years due to a num-
ber of reasons which I will detail for you. As was indicated to the
League last year, the aircraft inventory was being severely reduced
because of budgetary and operational requirements. This reduction
was implemented in the past nine months primarily through the elim-
ination of courier routes, the consolidation of airlift assets and
the scheduling of aircraft only when a firm requirement exists.
In the past, support to the League was provided through existing
capability but space available travel was virtually assured through
the scheduling of courier aircrafts to centralized points. The cap-
ability to support the League in the same manner no longer exists.
Despite these constraints and in an effort to insure that the League
would continue to receive support this year, my staff explored the
possibility of getting special authorization for space required travel
on a one time exception basis, but find that there are statutory pro-
visions in 31 U.S.C. 551 which specifically address the issue of funds
for transportation to conventions. To do so would violate the statute
which is set forth below:
"Unless specifically provided by law, no moneys from funds
appropriated for any purpose shall be used for the purpose
of lodging, feeding, conveying, or furnishing transportation
to, any conventions or other form of assemblage or gathering
to be held in the District of Columbia or elsewhere
"
REVOLUTION
$
AMERICAN
1776-1976
2
Only recently the meaning of this provision was clarified in Comptroller
General decision B-166506, dated February 12, 1976, dealing with the
funding of conferences by the Environmental Protection Agency. The
reasoning which applied to the decision applies equally to DoD pro-
viding transportation to the League. It was through the attempts to
obtain space required travel for the League that DoD became aware of
this ruling which directly impacts on your request.
For these reasons DoD support must thus be limited to permitting
eligible persons to use space available which is surplus after all
required travel has been accomodated. This effectively means persons
authorized travel as defined in DoD 4515.13-R, paragraph 4-6(b) (2)
may register at base operations and apply for travel space but there
will be neither scheduled couriers nor assured space. Further, ground
transportation in the Washington area will be an expenditure to the
individual as other convention expenses.
I regret that these changes must occur, but to support the League
convention in the manner as done in the past would contravene the law--
something which we both recognize cannot be done.
Sincerely,
RAYMOND A. VOHDEN
CAPTAIN
USN
Principal Advisor,
Office of PW/MIA Affairs
II just opened
files to MIA DBU
camilies in at
drogque
of
food
faim
New
tacq
may Worker mtg
to
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 19, 1976
(8:00 a. m.)
Jack:
DOD has backed off again. Despite Robin West's
unquestioned green light on MIA flights last week
(we were even working with Air Force types to set
schedules), DOD Legal Counsel rejected entire
plan. I am working with Hooper, Mitler, West
and Woods in effort to achieve last minute
compromise solution. (Ross Perot, possible
Pentagon briefing for all MIA families, etc. )
You might mention situation to Jim Connor.
Russ
July 19
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Jack:
This is what we have drafted.
Milt
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To concur in the Department of Defense provision PAYMENT of
transportation for the 1976 National League of Families
of American Persons Missing in Southeast Asia Annual
Meeting.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
That The Congress concurs in the Department of Defense
interpretation that provisions of 31 USC 551 do not pre-
clude the Department from paying through the use of appro-
priated funds the transportation to and from the 1976
National League of Families of American Persons Missing
in Southeast Asia Annual Meeting of persons authorized at
the discretion of the Secretary of Defense or his designee.
FORD is LIBRARY
OF ULFENSE
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
DESTRIBED
AMERICA
of
19
JUL
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
In reply refer to:
I-7606/76
Mr. Earl P. Hopper, Sr.
Executive Director
National League of Families
1608 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Dear Earl:
This letter is to further elaborate on Dr. Shields' March 26, 1976
letter which responded to your request for COIN ASSIST travel.
As Dr. Shields indicated to you in the earlier letter, DoD will pro-
vide whatever support we can. Unfortunately, the support this year
will be drastically reduced compared to previous years due to a num-
ber of reasons which I will detail for you. As was indicated to the
League last year, the aircraft inventory was being severely reduced
because of budgetary and operational requirements. This reduction
was implemented in the past nine months primarily through the elim-
ination of courier routes, the consolidation of airlift assets and
the scheduling of aircraft only when a firm requirement exists.
In the past, support to the League was provided through existing
capability but space available travel was virtually assured through
the scheduling of courier aircrafts to centralized points. The cap-
ability to support the League in the same manner no longer exists.
Despite these constraints and in an effort to insure that the League
would continue to receive support this year, my staff explored the
possibility of getting special authorization for space required travel
on a one time exception basis, but find that there are statutory pro-
visions in 31 U.S.C. 551 which specifically address the issue of funds
for transportation to conventions. To do so would violate the statute
which is set forth below:
"Unless specifically provided by law, no moneys from funds
appropriated for any purpose shall be used for the purpose
of lodging, feeding, conveying, or furnishing transportation
to, any conventions or other form of assemblage or gathering
to be held in the District of Columbia or elsewhere
"
REVOLUTION
a
AMERICAN
1776-1976
2
Only recently the meaning of this provision was clarified in Comptroller
General decision B-166506, dated February 12, 1976, dealing with the
funding of conferences by the Environmental Protection Agency. The
reasoning which applied to the decision applies equally to DoD pro-
viding transportation to the League. It was through the attempts to
obtain space required travel for the League that DoD became aware of
this ruling which directly impacts on your request.
For these reasons DOD support must thus be limited to permitting
eligible persons to use space available which is surplus after all
required travel has been accomodated. This effectively means persons
authorized travel as defined in DOD 4515.13-R, paragraph 4-6(b) (2)
may register at base operations and apply for travel space but there
will be neither scheduled couriers nor assured space. Further, ground
transportation in the Washington area will be an expenditure to the
individual as other convention expenses.
I regret that these changes must occur, but to support the League
convention in the manner as done in the past would contravene the law--
something which we both recognize cannot be done.
Sincerely,
RAYMOND A. VOHDEN
CAPTAIN
USN
Principal Advisor,
Office of PW/MIA Affairs
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 19, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
DICK CHENEY
FROM:
PHIL BUCHEN
Bobbe
BOBBIE GREENE KILBERG
Bobbie spoke with Dick Wiley, General Counsel of DOD, this
afternoon and it is Wiley's legal opinion that, if the conditions
set forth below are met, DOD can legally provide transportation
for MIA families to and from Washington, D.C. for meetings
on July 22 through July 25, which include the 7th Annual Meeting
of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and
Missing In Southeast Asia, without violating the provisions of
31 U.S.C. 8 551. The conditions are as follows:
(1) DOD must present its own program on those dates
which addresses DOD issues and operations.
(2) Invitations to participate in this DOD program must be
sent to all MIA families, including those families who are not
members of the National League or who are not planning to
attend the League meeting in D.C.
(3) The DOD program must consist of at least two separate
time block sections of at least two hours each and one of these
sessions must be either on DOD premises or in a meeting room
which DOD has specifically arranged to use for that purpose.
(4) Substantive issues must be discussed at these sessions
and must involve policy matters that DOD has full or partial
policy responsibility for or a substantial interest in. At least
half of these topics must not already be on the League program.
2
(5) DOD must make arrangements for any MIA family who
so desires to read and discuss the full military file of the MIA
with a qualified military caseworker from the appropriate service
branch. The DOD invitation to all MIA families must state that
the files are available and that these arrangements can be made.
The Counsel's Office agrees with the opinion of the General Counsel
of DOD that the above conditions must be met in order to provide
a proper legal basis for DOD to provide transportation to and from
Washington, D. C. for MIA families on July 22-25. Responsibility
for meeting these conditions must rest with the senior officials at
DOD, and it is our recommendation that they be urged to give it
their highest priority and personal attention.
a281
r W bylryrzvt
FORD
AM-Ford-MIAs 400
By MARGARET SCHERF
CERALD
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON AP - Unless the issue of Americans still listed as
missing in Southeast Asia is resolved no further progress in
establishing relations between the United States and Vietnam is
possible, President Ford said Saturday night.
Ford told the National League of Families of Prisoners and Missing
Americans in Southeast Asia that his administration is "employing
every effective means to account for your loved ones."
He promised that those efforts will continue, but cautioned that
**information for every missing man may never be available."
"We are dealing with a government that has shown very little
čôncern for your feelings " the President said.
He said the United States has exchanged messages with the Vietnamese
"indicating our willingness to discuss differenoes.""
But. he added. "without a satisfactory solution of the MIA issue,
no further progress in our relations is possible."
More than 900 Americans still are listed as prisoners or missing in
action in Southeast Asia.
"You and your loved ones must be assured of a continuing commitment
from your country to obtain a full accounting of the fate of those
still listed as missing in action or prisoners of war, " Ford said.
"Let me emphasize this is a firm unequivocal commitment "
be added. ""It"S still a very active commitment ... It's a personal
obmmitment."
One woman 'ran to the door behind the President as he was leaving and
said in a loud voice, "Mr. President I think you can do more. I
really do." Another woman tried to approach Ford, but was stopped by
Secret Service agents.
But Ford received sustained applause at several points in his
speech.
He said that several months ago he discussed with his staff the
problem of declassification of information related to MIAs. "I
directed that progress be made in that regard, he added. "I'm
informed that progress has been made."
Ford did not elaborate on that point.
Rep. G.V. "Sonny", Montgomery D-Miss. told the convention Friday
that a House investigation has produced no confirmable evidence that
any missing'O servicemen are still alive in Southeast Asia.
Montgomery chairman of the House Select Committee on Missing
Persons in Southeast Asia, said it serves no useful purpose to
continue to hold out falsé hopes that a large number of the missing
are still alive.
2218pED 07-24
R W
AM-MIA 7-25
BY RICHARD E. LERNER
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- PRESIDENT FORD HAS PLEDGED AN ALL-OUT EFFORT
TO LEARN THE FATE OF SOME 800 U.S. SERVICEMEN STILL OFFICIALLY
MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, BUT HE ALSO HAS WARNED RELATIVES OF THE
MIAS THAT SOME OF THEIR LOVED ONES MAY NEVER BE ACCOUNTED FOR.
FORD S MESSAGE, TEMPERING HOPE WITH REALITY, COMES A1 A IME WHEN
MANY MIA WIFES ARE FIGHTING 1 KEEP 1HEIR HUSBANDS FR M BEING
DECLARED LEGALLY DEAD AND WHEN IHERS IN THE MIA CAUSE ARE URGING
U.S. CONCESSIONS TO HANOI IN HOPES OF GETTING NEW INFORMATION.
THE PRESIDENT DELIVERED HIS PROMISE OF CONTINUED EFFORTS IN AN
EMOTIONAL SPEECH SATURDAY NIGHT TO THE 7TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF MIAS, WHICH SAYS DECLARING MIAS DEAD
WOULD COST THEIR FAMILIES CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL BENEFITS.
"LET ME ASSURE YOU -- WE ARE EMPLOYING EVERY EFFECTIVE MEANS TO
ACCOUNT FOR YOUR LOVED ONES ... AND I WILL CONTINUE THAT EFFORT,"
FORD SAID.
BUT HE ADDED: "WE MUST BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES. THIS IS A
FRUSTRATING, PAINSTAKING, DIFFICULT PROCESS. IT'S A TRAGIC FACT --
THAT MAKES ME AND ALL AMERICANS VERY, VERY SAD -- 1HAI EVERY MISSING
MA" OR INFORMATION REGARDING IMAI INDIVIDUAL MAY NEVER BE AVAILABLE,
REGARDLESS F ANY SUPER-UMAN EFF R₁ BY THE BES, IN UR G VERMENT
AFTER HIS BRIEF SPEECH, AS THE PRESIDENT STOPPED TO HOLD TWO YOUNG
GIRLS IN HIS ARMS, A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN WITH TEARS IN HER EYES STEPEED
FORWARD AND SAID: "MR. PRESIDENT, I THINK YOU CAN DO MORE, I REALLY
DO."
ONE STEP ADVOCATED AI 1ME MIA MEEiING -- A S₁EP WHICH I1 APPEARED
UNLIKELY ME FORD ADMINIS,RAII M W ULD AKE -- WAS ENDING THE US
EMBARGO ON TRADE WITH NORTH VIETNAM.
NELSON AMSDILL OF THE FRAZER, MICH., VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, AND
LAWRENCE ZATKOFF OF ROSEVILLE, MICH., PROPOSED A SIX-MONTH TRIAL
LIFTING OF THE EMBARGO. ZATKOFF SAID: "IN THAT PERIOD WE EXPECT
IMMEDIATE, POSITIVE ACTION FROM HANOI TO GIVE US A FULL ACCOUNTING ON
ALL MIAS AND POWS."
THEY SAID THE GESTURE WAS ONE OF THREE POINTS RAISED BY A HANOI
DIPLOMAT, FIRST SECRETARY DO THAN, DURING A JUNE 4 MEETING IN PARIS
IN WHICH DO PROMISED A FULL REP RI iv MIAS AND PRIS NERS F WAR "WHEN
Y_UR UNTRY D ES S. MEIMING F R US "
BU1 F RD SAID C. MMUNIS, G VERMENTS IN at R₁M AND S U1H VIE1"A",
CAMBODIA AND LAOS ARE WITHHOLDING INFORMATION ABOUT AMERICAN MIA'S
"TOTALLY WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION "
"WITHOUT A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION OF THE MIA ISSUE, NO FURTHER
PROGRESS IN OUR RELATIONS IS POSSIPLE," FORD SAID. "YOUR LOVED ONES
HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN. YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABANDOMED. T PROMISE YOU
I WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE FULLEST POSSIBLE ACCOUNTING OF YOUR LOVED
ONES HAS BEEN MADE."
DUPLICATES B-WIRE POINTS
UPI 07-25 06:00 PED
FORD
GERALD
Morday, July 26
UP-024
(VIET MISSING)
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- RELATIVES OF SOME 800 U.S. SERVICEMEN STILL
OFFICIALLY MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SAID SUNDAY PRESIDENT FORD WOULD
HAVE TO GET RID OF HENRY KISSINGER BEFORE HE COULD CARRY OUT HIS
PLEDGE OF AN ALL-OUT EFFORT TO LEARN THE FATE OF THE MIAS.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF MIAS ENDED ITS 7TH ANNUAL
MEETING BY VOTING OVERWHELMINGLY TO ASK FORD TO FIRE KISSINGER
IMMEDIATELY AND REPLACE HIM WITH SOMEONE "WHO WILL ACTIVELY PURSUE AN
ACCOUNTING FOR THE MISSING."
IN A BRIEF SPEECH TO THE RELATIVES OF THE MIAS SATURDAY NIGHT,
FORD PLEDGED HE WOULD CONTINUE TO USE "EVERY EFFECTIVE MEANS" TO
ACCOUNT FOR THE MISSING BUT HE ALSO WARNED THAT SOME OF THEM MAY
NEVER BE ACCOUNTED FOR.
ON SUNDAY, THE 600 RELATIVES AT THE LEAGUE SESSION WELCOMED FORD'S
PROMISE BUT SAID IN A STATEMENT "BECAUSE KISSINGER'S PAST PERFORMANCE
IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENTS, THE FAMILIES STILL
FEEL THE SECRETARY OF STATE MUST BE REPLACED BEFORE REAL PROGRESS CAN
BE MADE TOWARDS RESOLVING THE POW-MIA PROBLEM."
UPI 07-26 09:39 RED
FORD is LIBRARY
uri
277
R W
AM-MIA ISTLD-PICKUPOTHGRAF A279 7-20
BY RICHARD E LERNER
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- RELATIVES OF SOME 800 U.S. SERVICEMEN STILL
OFFICIALLY MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SAID SUNDAY PRESIDENT FORD WOULD
HAVE TO GET RID OF SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY A. KISSINGER BEFORE HE
COULD CARRY OUT HIS PLEDGE OF AN ALL-CUT EFFORT TO LEARN THE FATE OF
THE MIAS.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF MIAS ENDED ITS 7TH ANNUAL
MEETING BY VOTING VERWHELMINGLY 1 ASK F RD 1 FIRE KISSINGER
IMMEDIATELY AND REPLACE HIM WITH SOMEONE "WHO WILL ACTIVELY PURSUE AN
ACCOUNTING FOR THE MISSING."
IN A BRIEF SPEECH TO THE RELATIVES OF THE MIAS SA, URDAY NIGHI,
FORD PLEDGED HE WOULD CONTINUE TO USE "EVERY EFFECTIVE MEANS" TO
ACCOUNT FOR THE MISSING BUT HE ALSO WARNED THAT SOME OF THEM MAY
NEVER BE ACCOUNTED FOR.
ON SUNDAY, THE 620 RELATIVES AT THE LEAGUE SESSION WELCOMED FORD'S
PROMISE BUT SAID IN A STATEMENT "BECAUSE KISSINGER'S PAST PERFORMANCE
IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENIS, .HE FAMILIES S1 ILL
FEEL THE SECRE:ARY OF SAE mUS, BE REPLACED BEFORE REAL PR GRESS CAN
BE MADE 1 WARDS RESOLVING THE POW-MIA PROBLEM."
THE LEAGUE SAID IT HAD RECEIVED TELEGRAMS FROM BOTH RONALD REAGAN
A ND JIMMY CARTER PROMISING THEY WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IF THEY
WON THE PRESIDENCY TO APPOINT A SECRETARY OF STATE WHO WOULD ACTIVELY
PURSUE AN ACCOUNTING OF THE FATE OF THE MISSING AND THE RETURN OF
THEIR REMAINS.
THE LEAGUE ALSO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SEEK A PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE
ORDER TO BLOCK THE MILITARY SERVICES FROM DECLARING THE MIAS LEGALLY
DEAD SINCE THIS WOULD COST THEIR FAMILIES CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL
BENEFITS.
THE PRESIDENT, IN AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH SATURDAY, HAD SAID "LET ME
ASSURE YOU -- WE ARE EMPLOYING EVERY EFFECTIVE MEANS TO ACCOUNT FOR
YOUR LOVED ONES ... AND I WILL CONTINUE THA, EFFORI "
PICKUP 5TH PGH: BUT HE ADDED
UPI 07-25 07:29 PED
LIBRARY
MISSING IN ACTION ADDRESS - JULY 24, 1976
-I-
I AM HONORED TO MEET ONCE AGAIN WITH THIS
COURAGEOUS ASSEMBLY OF AMERICANS WHOSE LOVED ONES REMAIN
UNACCOUNTED FOR IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
YOU HAVE BORNE A HEAVY BURDEN WITH INCREDIBLE
COURAGE
EVERY CITIZEN IN THIS COUNTRY ADMIRES YOUR
BRAVERY YOUR DIGNITY AND YOUR PERSISTENCE
-2-
THROUGH LONG MONTHS AND YEARS OF TRIAL, YOU
HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED BY THE LOVE OF YOUR MISSING MEN AND
BY YOUR LOVE OF THE COUNTRY THOSE MEN HAVE DEFENDED
I AM PROUD OF YOU, AND PROUD OF YOUR MEN
BUT MY ADMIRATION IS NOT ENOUGH
THE
GRATITUDE OF THIS NATION IS NOT ENOUGH
-3-
YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES MUST BE ASSURED OF A CONTINUING
COMMITMENT FROM YOUR GOVERNMENT TO OBTAIN A FULL
ACCOUNTING OF THOSE MISSING IN ACTION N in DOW tal an
YOU HAVE THAT COMMITMENT FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION.
IT IS A LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT; IT IS STILL AN
ACTIVE COMMITMENT; AND FOR ME IT IS A VERY PERSONAL
COMMITMENT, AND THAT IS WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT.
-4-
WHEN I CAME HOME FROM THE PACIFIC THIRTY YEARS AGO
I JOINED SEVERAL VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AND A SHORT TIME
LATER BECAME A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
DURING MY SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE
I WORKED ON M.I.A. PROBLEMS, ON AN INDIVIDUAL, CASE-BY-
CASE BASIS, DURING BOTH THE KOREAN AND VIETNAM CONFLICTS.
-5-
AS A CONGRESSMAN, I MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES HERE IN WASHINGTON AND BACK
HOME IN GRAND RAPIDS
I DID NOT FORGET YOU THEN, AND I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN
YOU NOW
ONE OF MY VERY LAST MEETINGS AS VICE PRESIDENT WAS
WITH YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
-6-
A YEAR AGO AS PRESIDENT I ATTENDED THIS CONVENTION
AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER MET AGAIN WITH YOUR BOARD OF
DIRECTORS IN THE CABINET ROOM AT THE WHITE HOUSE
WE ARE EMPLOYING EVERY EFFECTIVE MEANS TO ACCOUNT
FOR YOUR LOVED ONES
LET ME ASSURE YOU TONIGHT THAT
I WILL CONTINUE THAT EFFORT
-7-
WE MUST BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES
THIS IS A
FRUSTRATING AND PAINSTAKING PROCESS
IT IS A TRAGIC FACT THAT INFORMATION ON EVERY
MISSING MAN MAY NEVER BE AVAILABLE REGARDLESS OF WHAT
IS DONE
FURTHERMORE WE ARE DEALING WITH A GOVERNMENT THAT
HAS DEMONSTRATED LITTLE CONCERN FOR YOUR FEELINGS
-8-
THE VIETNAMESE CLAIM TO HAVE ESTABLISHED AGENCIES
TO SEARCH FOR THE MISSING
BUT THUS FAR THEY HAVE
WITHHELD THIS INFORMATION -- TOTALLY WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION
WE HAVE OFFERED TO CARRY OUT THE SEARCHES OURSELVES
OR TO ENLIST A NEUTRAL GOVERNMENT OR THE RED CROSS IN THIS
HUMANITARIAN SEARCH
-9-
THUS FAR, NONE OF THESE OFFERS HAS BEEN ACCEPTED
BUT WE WILL PERSIST; WE WILL KEEP TRYING
WE ARE WILLING TO TALK WITH THE VIETNAMESE
AT MY DIRECTION, WE HAVE EXCHANGED MESSAGES WITH THEM
INDICATING OUR WILLINGNESS TO DISCUSS OUTSTANDING ISSUES
BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES
-10-
WE HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS
TO OBTAIN BOTH AN ACCOUNTING FOR OUR MISSING IN ACTION
AND THE RETURN OF OUR SERVICEMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR OUR COUNTRY
WITHOUT A SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION OF THE M.I.A.
ISSUE,
NO FURTHER PROGRESS IN OUR RELATIONS IS POSSIBLE.
-II-
I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
INFORMATION
DECLASSIFICATION OF MATERIALS RELATED TO M.I.A.'s
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I DISCUSSED THIS PROBLEM
WITH MEMBERS OF MY STAFF AND DIRECTED THAT PROGRESS BE
MADE IN THAT REGARD
I AM INFORMED THAT PROGRESS HAS
BEEN MADE, AND MORE PROGRESS WILL BE MADE
-12-
EVERY ONE IN THIS ROOM HAS DEMONSTRATED A STRENGTH
AND A RESOLVE WHICH MAKE YOU EQUAL TO THE BURDENS YOU
ARE CARRYING
YOUR COURAGE HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION
TO ME AND TO MILLIONS OF YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS
-13-
YOUR LOVED ONES HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN
YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABANDONED
I PROMISE YOU I WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE FULLEST
POSSIBLE ACCOUNTING OF YOUR LOVED ONES HAS BEEN MADE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
END OF TEXT
July 26, 1976
Dear Sonny:
Many thanks for the tremendous help and
assistance you gave us on the MIA Coa-
vention.
The President also sends his thanks.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
The Honorable G. V. Montgomery
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
JOM/dl
FORD LIBRAS
July 26, 1976
Dear Milt:
You did a great job on the MIA Conven
tion.
The President is most grateful.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Mr. Milt Mitler
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500.
JOM/dl
NERALD no FORD
July 26, 1976
Dear Pat:
Just a short note to let you know how
much I appreciate all your help on the
recent MIA Convention.
Many thanks.
With kindest personal regards, 1 am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Mr. Pat Butler
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
JOM/dl
SEAL B. FORD
July 26, 1976
Dear Breat:
Just a short note to let you know how
much I approciate all your help on the
recent MIA Convention.
Many thanks.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
The Honorable Brent Scowcroft
Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
JOM/dl
10R6 is LIBRARY 076878
July 26, 1976
Dear Doug:
Just a short note to let you know how
much I appreciate all your help on the
recent MIA Convention.
Many thanks.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Mr. Doug Smith
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
JOM/dl
CARD FORD
July 26, 1976
Dear Frank:
You did your usual great job in your
skillful advance on behalf of the Presi-
dent's visit to the MIA Convention.
The President sends his thanks.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Mr. Frank O Ursomarso
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
HOM/dl
FORDO in LIBRARY GERALD
July 27, 1976
Dear Dick:
Just a short note to let you know how
much 1 appreciate all your help on the
recent MIA Convention.
Many thanks.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
The Honorable Richard A. Wiley
General Counsel
Department of Defense
Room 3E980
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301
JOM/dl
GERALD R FORD
July 27, 1976
Dear Roger:
You did a great job on the MIA Coa-
vention.
The President is most grateful.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Dr. Roger Shields
Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Economic Affairs
OASD/ISA
Room 4E830
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301
JOM/dl
FORD is LIBRARY 1076828
July 27, 1976
Dear Frank:
You did a great job on the MIA Con-
vention.
The President is most grateful.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
John O. Marsh, Jr.
Counsellor to the President
Mr. Frank A. Sieverts
Deputy Coordinator for
Humanitarian Affairs
D/HA
Room 7802
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
JOM/dl
FORD is LISHAPY 07V838
July 28, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DICK CHENEY
BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM:
JACK MARSH
Attached you will find photostats of telegrams sent to the Leggue
of Families by Carter and by Reagah.
I am somewhat surprised at the stridency of both insofar as
directing attacks on the President on this subject.
I am not sure whether the League released these to the press
and, therefore, I would appreciate your keeping a close hold
on these.
Many thanks.
JOM/dl
FORD Y LIBRARY 076835
western union
Telegram
LLD046
WAD056(1236) (2-016205E206) PD 07/24/76 1236
ICS IPMRNCZ CSP
1976 JUL 24 PM 2:44
4155471556 TDRN OAKLAND CA 98 07-24 1236P EST
PMS COLONEL EARL P HOPPER SR
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING:
IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, DLR
STATLER HILTON HOTEL
WASHINGTON DC
TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES: IF YOU HAD HAD THE KIND OF
ACTION YOU HAVE BEEN SEEKING YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE GATHERING FOR
A 7TH ANNUAL MEETING, AS YOU ARE TODAY. THE FIRST WEEK THAT I AM
J
PRESIDENT, A NEW SECRETARY OF STATE WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY TAKING.
EVERY REASONABLE AND PROPER STEP TO RETURN ANY LIVE AMERICANS STILL
BF-1201 (R5-69)
BEING HELD IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: TO SECURE AN ACCOUNTING: OF AMERICANS
STILL LISTED AS MISSING IN ACTION; AND TO REPAIRIATE THE REMAINS OF
AMERICAN DEAD. YOU HAVE HAD TO WAIT TOO LONG; FOR ACTION.
RONALD REAGAN
NNNN
SF-1201 (R5-69)
FORD is LIBRARY CERALD
western union
Telegram
LLC034
WAE044(1024) (2-011494E206)PD 07/24/76 1051976JUL JUL 24 PM12: 40
ICS IPMMTZZ CSP
4048977110 TDMT ATLANTA GA 260 07-24 1054A EST
PMS CAL EARL HOPPER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DLR
CARE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN PRISIONERS AND MISSING
IN SOUTHEAST ASIA STATLER HILTON HOTEL 16 AND STS NORTHWEST
WASHINGTO DO 20005
IN APRIL WHEN PRESIDENT FORD ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD REFUSE TO
NORMALIZE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH VIETNAM, EVEN IN RETURN FOR A
COMPLETE ACCOUNTING OF AMERICAN MISSING IN ACTION, HE TURNED HIS
BACK ON THE HOPES OF MIA FAMILIES FOR THE SAKE OF INTERNAL
REPUBLICAN PARTY POLITICS.
THIS MOVE ON THE PRESIDENT PART WAS MADE SOLEY TO DEPRIVE RONALD
OF THE CHARGE THAT MR FORD WAS "SOFT ON VIETNAM", EVENTHOUGH
MR KISSINGER, FORDS OWN SECRETARY OF STATE HAD ANNOUNCED LESS THAN 6
WEEKS BEFORE THAT THE U S WAS PREPARED IN PRINCIPAL TO NORMALIZE
RELATIONS IN NORTH VIETNAM AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION'S PRINCIPAL
CONCERN WAS ACCOUNTING FOR THE MISSING IN ACTION.
MR FORD HAS HANDED AMERICAN BORN POLICY FROM THE ONE MAN RULES OF DR
KISSINGER TO ONE MANY RULE OF GOVERNOR REGAN, AND IN THE SAME
STROKE, HAS DEPRIVED OUR MIA FAMILIES OF THEIR BEST CHANCE TO KNOW
THE FATE OF THEIR LAST SONS, FATHERS, AND HUSBANDS.
AFTER CLEAR INDICATIONS OF A READINESS TO RESOLVE THE MIA QUESTIONS
AS PART OF NORMALIZING RELATIONS, THE POSITION OF A NORTH VIETNAMESE
HAS SHORTLY BEEN HARDENED BY THE ADMINISTRATION'S CAPRICIOUS
ACTIONS. OUR MIA WILL BE FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR, AND PEACE FINALLY
FORD
ESTABLISHED, ONLY THROUGH AN OPEN, GRADUAL NEGOTIATION OF
F-1201
GERALD
OUTSTANDING ISSUES. THE FAMILIES OF AMERICANS WHO FOUGHT IN VIETNAM
DESERVE AI LEAST THAT MUCH. MIA FAMILIES ALSO SERVE TO BE TREATED
SERIOUSLY BY THEIR GOVERMENT, WITHOUT ARBITRARINESS. AND RESENTMENT,
OUR MIA FAMILIES MUST BE GIVEN A STATUS UPON WHICH THEY CAN RELY AND
MAKE FUTURE PLANS. SINCERELY
JIMMY CARTER
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 29, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
MILT MITLER
kut
Jack, in the event you haven't seen this or heard
about it, here is the Hanoi reaction to the
President's speech to the National League of Families.
Attachment (Hanoi reaction to President's Speech to
National League of Families)
FBIS 11
HANOI COMMENTARY ON FORD'S MIA TALK
06271747 HANOI INTERNATIONAL SERVICE IN ENGLISH 0100 GMT 27 JUL 76 OW
CUNATTRIBUTED COMMENTARY: "GERALD FORD'S UNSUCCESSFUL
PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTACK")
(TEXT) 0" SUNDAY U.S. PRESIDENT GERALD FORD SUMMONED
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF 800 FAMILIES OF AMERICANS REGISTERED AS
MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO HEAR HIS WORDS
OF SYMPAIHY.
WHILE TALKING MINETEEN TO THE DOZEN, THE U.S. PRESIDENT DID
NOT MENTION A WORD ABOUT THE REASON FOR THE DEATHS OR MISSING IN
ACTION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN YOUTHS IN A REGION
HALF A WORLD AWAY FROM THE STATES. HE ALSO WENT TO LENGTHS MAKING
SLANDERS AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF VIETNAM, LAOS AND CAMBODIA WITH
REGARD TO THE MISSING IN ACTION PROBLEM. BY SO DOING, GERALD FORD.
PROBABLY WANTED TO INCITE THE CHAUVINISTIC FEELING AMONG AMERICANS
TO BUY VOTES IN THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
HOWEVER, FORD'S PSYCHOLOGICAL BLOW HAS MISSED THE TARGET BECAUSE HE
LITERED AMBIGUITIES AND FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY CONCRETE EVIDENCE.
AT THIS WHITE HOUSE MEETING, GERALD FORD ALSO MISSED HIS MARK WHEN
HE SAID THAT THERE IS NO NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND VIFTNAM SO LONG AS THE MISSING IN ACTION
PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SETTLED.
FORD'S BLACKMAIL IS TOO OBVIOUS TO TAKE ANYBODY IN. EVERYBODY
IN THE WORLD KNOWS THAT HF IS EATING THE U.S. PROMISE TO
CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALING OF THE TOUNDS OF WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION
IN VIETNAM. THE QUESTION IS HOW THE UNITED STATES COULD BREAK ITS
SOLEMN PROMISE TO CONTRIBUTE TO HEALING THE WOUNDS OF WAR AND
TO THE REBUILDING OF VISTRAM, WHICH IS THE RESPONSIBILITY AND
OBLIGATION AND a POINT OF HONOR FOR AMERICA.
IT IS CERTAIN THAT THE COMPATRIOTS OF MR GERALD FORD, THE
VIFTNAMESE PEOPLE AND THE WORLD PUBLIC WILL NOT LET HIM DO WHAT HE
LIKES.
28 JUL 06092 JPC/MC
GEBALE FORD LIBRARY
MIA
July 30, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
JACK MARSH
I thought you would be interested in seeing what Hanoi said
concerning your remarks to the League of Families.
I have sent a copy of this to Brent for his consideration and
interpretation, should you desire.
ec: Brent Scoweroft
JOM/dl
FORD & LIBRARY
%
MIA
July 30, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM:
JACK MARSH
Please note the attached. The President may ask you about
this statement.
Many thanks.
JOM/dl
GLEATO R. FORD LEYER
HANOI COMMENTARY ON FORD'S MIA TALK
"GERALD FORD'S UNSUCCESSFUL PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTACK"
(TEXT) On Sunday U.S. President Gerald Ford summoned the
representatives of 800 families of Americans registered as
Missing in Southeast Asia to the White House to hear his words
of sympathy.
While talking nineteen to the dozen, the U.S. President did not
mention a word about the reason for the deaths or Missing in
Action of hundreds of thousands of American youths in a region
half a world away from the states. He also went to lengths making
slanders against the people of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia with
regard to the Missing in Action problem. By so doing, Gerald Ford
probably wanted to incite the chauvinistic feelings among Americans
to buy votes in the November Presidential elections.
However, Ford's psychological blow has missed the target because
he uttered ambiguities and failed to provide any concrete evidence.
At this White House meeting, Gerald Ford also missed his mark when
he said that there is no normalization of relations between the
United States and Vietnam so long as the Missing in Action problem
has not been settled.
Ford's blackmail is too obvious to take anybody in. Everybody
in the world knows that he is eating the U.S. promise to
contribute to the healing of the wounds of war and reconstruction
in Vietnam. The question is how the United States could break its
solemn promise to contribute to healing the wounds of war and
to the rebuilding of Vietnam, which is the responsibility and
obligation and a point of honor for America.
It is certain that the compatroits of Mr. Gerald Ford, the
Vietnamese people and the world public will not let him do what
he likes.
JUL 20 1976
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
July 29, 1976
MEMO FOR:
JACK MARSH
I thought you would find of interest the
attached comments which Hanoi made
on the President's remarks last Saturday
night. I prepared a summary of this
article for the President's July 29 morning
brief.
Kn
Ken Quinn
FBIS 11
HANOI COMMENTARY ON FORD'S MIA TALK
06271747 HANOI INTERNATIONAL SERVICE IN ENGLISH 0100 GMT 22 JUL 76 OW
CUNATTRIBUTED COMMENTARY: "GERALD FORD'S UNSUCCESSFUL
PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTACK")
(TEXT) 0N SUNDAY U.S. PRESIDENT GERALD FORD SUMMONED
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF 800 FAMILIES OF AMERICANS REGISTERED AS
MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO THE WHITE HOUSE TO HEAR HIS WORDS
OF SYMPATHY.
WHILE TALKING MINETEEN TO THE DOZEN, THE U.S. PRESIDENT DID
NOT MENTION A WORD ABOUT THE REASON FOR THE DEATHS OF MISSING IN
ACTION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN YOUTHS IN A REGION
HALF A WORLD AWAY FROM THE STATES. HE ALSO WENT TO LENGTHS MAKING
9.ANDERS AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF VIETNAM, LAOS AND CAMBODIA WITH
REGARD TO THE MISSING IN ACTION PROBLEM. BY SO DOING, GERALD FORD.
PROBABLY WANTED TO INCITE THE CHAUVINISTIC FEELING AMONG AMERICANS
TO BUY VOTES IN THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
HOWEVER, FORD'S PSYCHOLOGICAL BLOW HAS MISSED THE TARGET BECAUSE HE
UTTERED AMBIGUITIES AND FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY CONCRETE EVIDENCE.
AT THIS WHITE HOUSE MPETING, GERALD FORD ALSO MISSED HIS MARK WHEN
ME SAID THAT THERE IS NO NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND VIFTNAM so LONG AS THE MISSING IN ACTION
PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SETTLED.
FORD'S BLACKMAIL IS TOO OBVIOUS TO TAKE ANYBODY IN. EVERYBODY
IN THE WORLD KNOWS THAT HE IS EATING THE U.S. PROMISE TO
CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALING OF THE WOUNDS OF WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION
IN VIFTNAM. THE QUESTION IS HOW THE UNITED STATES COULD BREAK ITS
SOLEMN PROMISE TO CONTRIBUTE TO HEALING THE WOUNDS OF WAR AND
TO THE REPUILDING OF VIETUAM, WHICH IS THE RESPONSIBILITY AND
OBLIGATION AND A POINT OF HONOR FOR AMERICA.
IT IS CERTAIN THAT THE COMPATRIOTS OF MR GERALD FORD, THE
VIFTNAMESE PEOPLE AND THE WORLD PUBLIC WILL NOT LET HIM DO WHAT HE
LIKES.
28 JUL 06092 JPC/MC
018ALD FORD LIBRARY
AUG 2 1976
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
August 2, 1976
TO:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
KEN QUINN Ken
The attached Vietnamese News Agency attack on
President Ford is one of the most biting ones I
have ever seen. I frankly do not understand what
motivated them to use such harsh language. It
should be noted that the item is in the Vietnamese
language and thus intended primarily for consumption
within Vietnam. Moreover, it was published July 22,
two days before the President's remarks to the
National League of MIA Families. The usual Hanoi
line is to attack the President's policies. To call his
personal probity into question is a most unusual affront.
I prepared a summary of the article for the
President's morning brief of August 3.
File
GERAT FORD LIBRARY
IV. 30 Jul 76
5
ASIA & PACIFIC
ANNEX
We were deeply touched at hearing Prime Minister Pol Pot saying: "The friendship and
solidarity between the Kampuchea and Vietnam revolutions, between Kampuchea and Vietnam
constitute a problem of both strategy and sacred feelings. Should that friendship and
solidarity go well the revolution in our two countries would develop finely. There's
no other way".
The Vietnamese press and television delegation on visit to the Democratic Kampuchea shall
keep forever the nice and profound recollections and shall do its utmost to contribute
even a small part to keeping the two countries, as the first secretary of the Vietnam
Workers Party said: "Already bound to each other in the struggle for national liberation,
to be forever attached to each other in the national reconstruction and protection, for
the sake of the independence and prosperity of our respective country and for the
revolutionary interests of the people in southeast Asia and the world over." [sentence
as received]
VIETNAM
VNA DESCRIBES FORD AS CORRUPT, REACTIONARY POLITICIAN
Hanoi VNA in Vietnamese to VNA Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 1320 GMT 22 Jul 76 OW--
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
[VNA document: "Ford's True Nature"]
[Text] In reality, what is Ford? Following are some features on him:
--Ford started his political career by jumping into the U.S. House of Representatives with
the assistance of the Western family, one of the wealthiest and most influential families
in Michigan and having relations with the well-to-do uppercrust families in the United States.
--Ford has the past of a reactionary. In a letter addressed to his friends in 1971, he
considered the liberals in the Democratic Party as dangerous elements with regard to the U.S.
way of life and philosophy.
--Ford assisted Nixon in selecting ultrarightist judges such as Carswell and Hainesworth to
the Supreme Court.
--He 1s well-known racist in the United States.
--He is an advocate of increasing the Pentagon's inherently huge national defense budget.
--He is a defender of corruption in the United States. As confirmed by sources from
Washington, Ford took large payoffs at his office in Washington from an employee of the
General Electric Co. who asked him as the House minority leader to help Thomas O. Paine,
director of the monopolist company, win the post of NASA deputy director. A few days
after Paine Was appointed to hold this post, the General Electric Co. signed a contract
with NASA worth $50 million to carry out a satellite project. This contract was approved
by the Faderal Government.
--Ford has close relations with the major financial companies in the United States. On
22 January 1968, he was appointed director of the old Kent Bank and Trust Company in
Grand Rapids, a big bank of [words indistinct] which sent him to run in the congressional
elections. This Bank possesses assets worth $500 million. In the United States, the
banks have big intirests in all problems related to the laws concerning banks and
finance. Thus it it not surprising that many Federal projects have been carried out
through the Kent Belk.
According to a U.S law, a state official such as a congressman and the U.S. president
are not allowed to assume functions in any private organs.
IV. 30 Jul 76
6
ASIA & PACIFIC
ANNEX
But Ford has had no trouble when he violated this law.
Robert Winter Berger, one of those specializing in seeking persons who wish to sign
contracts with the company which he represents, wrote in his book "Washington Payoff"
about the bargain between him and Ford on the purchase of the title of U.S. ambassador
to France for Francis Kellog, president and main share sholder of the International
Mining Corporation in New York.
Winter Berger said to Ford: "He is ready to offer $30,000 more to the Republican
National Committee." Ford replied promptly: "All right, please tell him that he can
come and see me at any time as he pleases."
Before leaving, Winter Berger warned Ford: "Be careful, this is a hot piece of char-
coal!" Ford replied: "Don't worry, money is the name of this game."
All the aforesaid facts have exposed the true nature of Ford who is now playing a bigger
chess game in the United States.
JAPAN
KANEKO READS JCP CC REPORT ON DRAFT RESOLUTION
Tokyo JPS in English 1512 GMT 29 Jul 76 OW--FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
[All figures at beginning of paragraphs are as received]
[Text] Tokyo, July 30 JPS--On the first day of the 13th extraordinary congress of the
JCP (July 28), the Central Committee proposed the draft resolution; Mitsuhiro Kaneko
read the report on behalf of the Central Committee. Some points are added to the draft
resolution by consideration of the development in the subsequent situation and adoption
of the contents of discussions in the entire party. Kaneko read out the report, which
includes the added parts.
Pointing out the "importance of the aggravation of the LDP crisis resulting from the
progress of the criminal investigation into the Lockheed scandal case since the announ-
cement of the draft resolution, Kaneko said as follows:
1. The correctness of the draft resolution saying that the dangerous maneuver of the
Miki cabinet for hush-up of the Lockheed scandal is starting too, was endorsed again.
1. We should not belittle the danger that maneuvers for hushing-up the Lockheed scan-
dal will gain success.
1. The Liberal-Democratic Party and the Miki cabinet are attempting to divert the
criticism of the people under the new cloak of "rebirth of the LDP."
1. We should not [be too] lazy to pay attention to various political moves resulting
from the aggravated crisis of the LDP.
1. (Such LDP political moves) do not mean that the straight retrogression in the LDP's
rule and its rapid approach to "the alliance of conservatives and progressives", the
modernization of the LDP body, etc. are inevitable.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 3, 1976
MIA
MEMORANDUM FOR:
RUSS ROURKE
FROM:
MILT MITLER
teese
Russ, attached is a letter from Earl Hopper - National
League of Families - containing a Resolution passed
by the League calling for the replacement of the
Secretary of State. I have responded to Earl telling
him that the letter was received and has been made
known to the President.
Attachment (letter fr Earl Hopper and Resolution -
National League of Families)
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES
OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
1608 K STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006 (202) 628-6811
July 27, 1976
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Members of the National League of Families of American Prisoners
and Missing in Southeast Asia in attendance at the League's
Seventh Annual Meeting have given me a mandate to present you
with the attached resolution.
This resolution was introduced from the floor at a regular
business meeting, discussed then passed with only two dissenting
votes. It calls upon you to replace Secretary of State Henry
Kissinger with a person who will actively pursue a Southeast
Asian policy that is in the best interest of the people of the
United States and which will secure an accounting of those
Americans who are still prisoner or missing as a result of
the war in Southeast Asia.
Mr. President, the POW/MIA families are most serious in their
resolve for you to replace Dr. Kissinger and sincerely appeal
to you to do so as soon as possible.
Respectfully,
Earl P. Hopper, Sr.
Colonel, AUS-Ret.
Executive Director
EPH:jjf
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES
OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
1608 K STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D. C. 20006 (202) 628-6811
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Some three and a half years ago Dr. Henry Kissinger,
chief architect of the Paris Peace Agreement, chose to abandon
over 1, 300 Americans who are Prisoners of War and Missing in
Action, leaving their fate to the good will of the Indochinese
communists, and
WHEREAS, Secretary Kissinger has repeatedly lied to the families
of these men and the American public with false assurances that
these men would be returned and accounted for, and
WHEREAS, The Secretary of State has declined to publicly testify
to the House Select Committee on Missing Persons in Southeast
Asia on the POW/MIA problem and repeatedly lied to Members of
Congress as to secret agreements and commitments of aid to the
communists nations holding our men, and
WHEREAS, Secretary Kissinger admitted to the National League
of Families that he felt there may be Americans still held
captive in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, yet has exhibited
malfeasance in office by refusing to attempt to gain their
release, and
WHEREAS, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has repeatedly
admitted that they indeed do have information on our men as
well as those Killed in Action whose remains have been re-
patriated to the United States, and
WHEREAS, The families of these men have constantly called upon
the Secretary of State to speak out on the POW/MIA issue and
seek a solution he has chosen instead to ignore the importance
of this issue and refuses to press for an accounting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the National League of
Families calls upon the President of the United States to
replace the Secretary of State with a person who will actively
pursue a Southeast Asian policy that is in the best interest
of the People of the United States of America and which will
secure an accounting for those who are Prisoner or Missing
as a result of serving our Country in the Southeast Asia war.
AUG 9 1976
MEMORANDUM
4392 (add-on)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 7, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR JACK MARSH
B
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
SUBJECT:
Hanoi's Attack on the President
There is no question that Hanoi's personal attack on the President
goes substantially beyond what we usually see. Ordinarily, Hanoi
attacks some aspect of the President's policy rather than his
personal character. The harsh tone is also inconsistent with other
more authoritative commentaries which Hanoi has disseminated
recently. For example, its reaction to the President's July 24
remarks at the MIA Convention was more measured than this
diatribe. Ordinarily the sharper attack could be expected to follow
the President's taking a tough line on the MIA problem.
The best explanation I can think of is that this commentary was
meant for internal consumption in Vietnam. It seems obvious
that the information the article uses came from some "research"
which an American commentator compiled. We believe Hanoi
regularly receives all such material, and probably jumped on this
item as a "good foreign source" on which to base an attack on the
President. Moreover, it is in the Vietnamese language and it was
a wire item. The words which Hanoi really wants us to hear are
sent in English over its international radio service.
Since there is no clear evidence that Hanoi meant to pick a fight
with us directly by publishing this item, I recommend that we not
make an issue of it now. Rather we should save it for use as a
rationale for being tough with Hanoi when critics suggest we are
not being sufficiently forthcoming to the Vietnamese.
FORD STBRAST
MIA
August 5, 1976
(Leaguery Familie)
MEMORANDOM TO: BRENT SCONCROFT
FROM:
JACK MARSH
Brent, I would appreciate your thoughts on the attached.
Many thanks.
cb
FROM FORD LIBRAR,
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 5, 1976
TO:
JACK MARSH
Russ
FROM: RUSSELL A. ROURKE
For Direct Reply
Rxor
For Draft Response
XX
For Your Information
Please ad to
Sand B for (in
AUG 8 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 3, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
RUSS ROURKE
FROM:
MILT MITLER
Russ, you may have already seen this transcript
of a diatribe against the President by Hanoi.
This was released on July 22, 1976, before the
League of Families speech. It represents an
unusually harsh attack against the President
and unlike the normal run where the President's
policies are attacked. It was also in Vietnamese
and so intended primarily for consumption within
Vietnam.
Attachment (transcript - "Ford's True Nature")
5
ASIA & PACIFIC
ANNEX
were deeply touched at hearing Prime Minister Pol Pot saying: "The friendship and
solidarity between the Kampuchea and Vietnam revolutions, between Kampuchea and Vietnam
constitute a problem of both strategy and sacred feelings. Should that friendship and
solidarity go well the revolution in our two countries would develop finely. There's
no other way".
The Vietnamese press and television delegation on visit to the Democratic Kampuchea shall
keep forever the nice and profound recollections and shall do its utmost to contribute
even a small part to keeping the two countries, as the first secretary of the Vietnam
Workers Party said: "Already bound to each other in the struggle for national liberation,
to be forever attached to each other in the national reconstruction and protection, for
the sake of the independence and prosperity of our respective country and for the
revolutionary interests of the people in southeast Asia and the world over." [sentence
as received]
VIETNAM
VNA DESCRIBES FORD AS CORRUPT, REACTIONARY POLITICIAN
Hanoi VNA in Vietnamese to VNA Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 1320 GMT 22 Jul 76 OW--
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
[VNA document: "Ford's True Nature"]
[Text] In reality, what is Ford? Following are some features on him:
--Ford started his political career by jumping into the U.S. House of Representatives with
the assistance of the Western family, one of the wealthiest and most influential families
in Michigan and having relations with the well-to-do uppercrust families in the United States.
--Ford has the past of a reactionary. In a letter addressed to his friends in 1971, he
considered the liberals in the Democratic Party as dangerous elements with regard to the U.S.
way of life and philosophy.
--Ford assisted Nixon in selecting ultrarightist judges such as Carswell and Hainesworth to
the Supreme Court.
--He 1.s well-known racist in the United States.
--He is an advocate of increasing the Pentagon's inherently huge national defense budget.
--He is a defender of corruption in the United States. As confirmed by sources from
Washington, Ford took large payoffs at his office in Washington from an employee of the
General Electric Co. who asked him as the House minority leader to help Thomas O. Paine,
director of the monopolist company, win the post of NASA deputy director. A few days
after Paine was appointed to hold this post, the Ceneral Electric Co. signed a contract
with NASA worth $50 million to carry out a satellite project. This contract was approved
by the Faderal Government.
--Ford has close relations with the major financial companies in the United States. On
22 January 1968, he was appointed director of the old Kent Bank and Trust Company in
Grand Rapids, a hig bank of [words indistinct] which sent him to run in the congressional
elections, This Bank possesses assets worth $500 million. In the United States, the
banks have big int|rests in all problems related to the laws concerning banks and
finance. Thus it It not surprising that many Federal projects have been carried out
through the Kent Bahk.
According to a U.S law, a state official such as a congressman and the U.S. president
are not allowed to issume functions in any private organs.
76
6
ASIA & PACIFIC
ANNEX
But Ford has had no trouble when he violated this law.
Robert Winter Berger, one of those specializing in seeking persons who wish to sign
contracts with the company which he represents, wrote in his book Washington Payoff"
about the bargain between him and Ford on the purchase of the title of U.S. ambassador
to France for Francis Kellog, president and main share sholder of the International
Mining Corporation in New York.
Winter Berger said to Ford: "He is ready to offer $30,000 more to the Republican
National Committee." Ford replied promptly: "All right, please tell him that he can
come and see me at any time as he pleases."
Before leaving, Winter Berger warned Ford: "Be careful, this is a hot piece of char-
coal!" Ford replied: "Don't worry, money is the name of this game."
All the aforesaid facts have exposed the true nature of Ford who is now playing a bigger
chess game in the United States.
JAPAN
KANEKO READS JCP CC REPORT ON DRAFT RESOLUTION
Tokyo JPS in English 1512 GMT 29 Jul 76 OW--FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
[All figures at beginning of paragraphs are as received]
[Text] Tokyo, July 30 JPS--On the first day of the 13th extraordinary congress of the
JCP (July 28), the Central Committee proposed the draft resolution; Mitsuhiro Kaneko
read the report on behalf of the Central Committee. Some points are added to the draft
resolution by consideration of the development in the subsequent situation and adoption
of the contents of discussions in the entire party. Kaneko read out the report, which
includes the added parts.
Pointing out the "importance of the aggravation of the LDP crisis resulting from the
progress of the criminal investigation into the Lockheed scandal case since the announ-
cement of the draft resolution, Kaneko said as follows:
1. The correctness of the draft resolution saying that the dangerous maneuver of the
Miki cabinet for hush-up of the Lockheed scandal is starting too, was endorsed again.
1. We should not belittle the danger that maneuvers for hushing-up the Lockheed scan-
dal will gain success.
a:
1. The Liberal-Democratic Party and the Miki cabinet are attempting to divert the
criticism of the people under the new cloak of "rebirth of the LDP."
5
by
1. We should not [be too] lazy to pay attention to various political moves resulting
from the aggravated crisis of the LDP.
22
or
1. (Such LDP political moves) do not mean that the straight retrogression in the LDP's
el
rule and its rapid approach to "the alliance of conservatives and progressives", the
ba
modernization of the LDP body, etc. are inevitable,
f1)
100
are