By the mid-sixties, the United States had poured more than half a million troops into South Vietnam.

Nguyen Cao Ky

Categorized in : More Than Half Vietnam

Americans are big boys. You can talk them into almost anything. Just sit with them for half an hour over a bottle of whiskey and be a nice guy.

sit talk you nice

South Vietnam had to be built from scratch and, from the very beginning, depended far too much on the Western superpowers. As in the case of a person on public welfare, this dependency, which became greater with each day, was quite difficult to shake.

person beginning day difficult

The way Americans understand and treat other peoples almost guarantees that the world will suffer more trouble.

treat understand way world

I have been blessed often by Buddha, but equally by America.

often been blessed america

If the war has faded into history, democracy's defeat in Vietnam has left deep marks in the consciousness of both nations.

deep democracy war history

After the 1954 Geneva international conference, Vietnam was divided into two parts. On paper, North and South Vietnam were twin countries born at the same moment.

conference moment born two

Through leadership of the fight against French colonialism, Ho Chi Minh had made a name for himself in the international political arena.

name fight political leadership

During the Fifties, political and military activities in Vietnam were heavily influenced by the French, who as recent colonial masters, made all-important decisions.

decisions vietnam political military

From its inception, South Vietnam was only considered to be an outpost in the war against communism.

against only communism war

By fighting a limited, defensive war, America permitted the enemy to endlessly re-supply their field armies.

fighting war america enemy

After Watergate, America was a ship without a rudder. Vietnam was left to its own devices, drifting along towards its fate.

ship own fate america

We all know that in war the political and military factors have to complement each other.

know political military war

I never staged a coup. They picked me up. Like I say, they forced me to become premier, maybe hoping that by that way, they send me to the electric chair.

chair never me way

If Americans knew how to deal with other people, they could bring peace to the world. Alas, they have not learned enough yet. The true American feels that he is 100 percent welcome anywhere he goes.

welcome peace people world

And then when they picked me as premiere, I don't think I feel, you know, different. For me, the position mean responsibility, but that's all.

feel me you responsibility