322. Editorial Note
On December 15, 1961, the White House released the texts of a letter from President Diem to President Kennedy, dated December 7, and a reply by President Kennedy, dated December 14. The text of Diem’s letter was substantially the same as the draft contained in Document 257. In his letter, President Kennedy said that the American people were “deeply disturbed by the assault” on South Viet-Nam and were prepared to help “protect its people and to preserve its independence.” Kennedy also told Diem:
“We shall promptly increase our assistance to your defense effort as well as help relieve the destruction of the floods which you describe. I have already given the orders to get these programs underway.”
For full texts of this correspondence, see Department of State Bulletin, January 1, 1962, pages 13-14.