We have the impression. however. that change has been superficial. CORDS has become SAAFO (Special Assistant to -the Ambassador for Field Operations) but the same warriors are riding to battle still referring to "our side" and the "enemy". Granted that there must be a period of transition. but with U.S. refugee assistance now under civilian control and with authority and responsibility both now vested in AID. and finally. with the Foreign Aid bill under consideration by the Congress. now would be the time to clearly enunciate a new foreign aid philosophy and posture visavis South Vietnam. In specific terms. if the United States is paying the bill for refugee assistance in Vietnam on the basis of humanitarian concern. as I think we must. then we should request a quid pro quo that refugee assistance be used for humanitarian purposes. It was the Study Missions observation that the refugees are very much voiceless pawns in a political and territorial tugofwar between the GVN and the PRG. They represent an important bloc of votes in the event of an election and perhaps more important. besides the army. they represent the only available potential for establishing de facto territorial control in the recently intensified struggle now focusing on land as well as people. In short we should not support programs which are clearly intended to achieve political or military objectives as against programs designed to upgrade refugee conditions or achieve resettlement or return to village which is clearly in the refugees best interest. True. many lines may be difficult to distinguish. but a clear statement of policy which we and the GVN understand is a prerequisite for normalizing our humanitarian assistance. Perhaps.
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refugee refugees