He could just as well have said a hundred years or a thousand years. for the present rate of progress can scarcely be measured. Within the week. the Foreign Operations and Government Information Subcommittee of the House of Representatives transmitted three reports to the Secretary of State dealing with the economic situation and related matters in South Vietnam. In each of these reports and in the subcommittees letter of transmittal. the subcommittee expresses its deep concern "with the failure of the Government of South Vietnam to take substantive action. with conviction and determination. in a number of areas which vitally affect the future of that country and the support of its people." The subcommittee expresses specific concern about "the lack of meaningful progress and reform in the lagging and floundering pacification program. in dealing with the problems of refugees. inflation. and land reform. in the conduct of the elections. and in overall administration with its entrenched. inefficient bureaucracy." The subcommittee continues with these most significant words: The Secretary of State and responsible agency heads in Washington should specifically direct the U.S. Ambassador and other U.S. officials in Vietnam to take a firmer stand in U.S. representations to the GVN (Government of South Vietnam). It is the committees view that U.S. officials have too often attempted to avoid "rocking the boat" rather than pressing for necessary reforms.
Keywords matched
refugees