Land reform. and other badly needed reforms. to improve the lot of the people. have not been forthcoming from the central government and this has made more difficult the pacification program which is essential to final allied victory. A recent House committee investigation tells a shocking tale of waste and corruption in the U.S. aid program and in black market operations. The care of refugees. which was already a serious problem when I visited Vietnam in December 1965. has apparently shown little improvement and. according to the committee report. the war itself is hampered by the allaround officiousness of an entrenched and inefficient bureaucracy. I have repeatedly pointed to the fact that the 600.000 trained and equipped South Vietnamese troops are making but little contribution to the joint war effort. Despite the fact that it is their country and their war. they leave most of the heavy fighting to U.S. forces.
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refugees