Speech #890122239

This program must conform with the views of the peasants. must be made available to the tiller of the soil. and contain provisions for the security of tenure and for rents that are fair in relation to the productivity of the land. Since this program is considered to be crucial to the attainment of our aims in South Vietnam. appeals for quick action should be made to the Government of South Vietnam from the highest levels of our Government. Certainly the refugee crisis is one area where the U.S. Government. in cooperation with the South Vietnamese. can provide most effective aid. Since nearly 500.000 of the 600.000 refugees are now concentrated in or near the coastal cities in central and northern South Vietnam. it would appear that we have also been presented through the terror of war with an opportunity to prove our concern and intention to help the people themselves. It has often been said that our aid efforts have not really been effective because the Vietcong control the land where the people live. that they can undo with terror what we have tried to do with agricultural. educational and health programs. But in the case of the refugees. they have come to areas which are nominally at least controlled by the Government. They have come to our side. and we should spare no effort to make sure that while they are under our protection. they are satisfactorily fed. clothed and housed and that at least minimal health and education needs are provided for. One suggestion on the refugee program which was mentioned several times in the Refugee Subcommittee hearings concerned the more effective use of the many voluntary agencies now active in Vietnam. I will urge the subcommittee members to suggest to the administration that U.S. aircraft be used to transport supplies and personnel. provided by the U.S. voluntary agencies. from the United States to Vietnam. In this way. funds now needed for transportation will be freed for the direct benefit of the refugees. Running through this entire discussion Is the awareness of the central fact which faces our AID mission at every turn. namely. we can aid. we can advise. but we cannot replace the Vietnamese themselves. It is their country. their future. their freedom. and their show.