0 - The Black Vault

THE BDM CORPORATION
was squandering its assets and attention in a remote part of the world to
the detriment of the NATO countries. They generally expressed relief when
the US began its withdrawal, convinced that the US would reaffirm its ties
to NATO.. At the same time, however, some European officials expressed
concern about the steadfastrness of the US as an ally.27/
In Asia, several nations owe their present healthy and independent
status to the US involvement in Vietnam. The Second Indochina War
absorbed much of the attention of the DRV and Cnina; Indonesia successfully
put down a Chinese Communist-inspired coup in 1955 and maintained its independeice
after overthrowing its communist-leaning president, Sukarno.28/
The ASEAN nations had time to establish strong economic ties and what
appear to be viable governments.29/
study.
4, Consequences or the War on Asian Power Relat;onships
This topic is addressed at some
length in Volume VIII of this
It is interesting to note here, however, that the DRV's seizure of
RVN caused the PRC considerable anxiety. Hanoi's incursions into Cambodia
brought a Chirnse attack into northern Vietnam -- as a lesson.
CamboJia
now is torn by an internecine struggle, with strong PAVN forces in the van.
Laos has long since slipped into the :jviet orbit.,
Japan is wary.. A recent public opinion survey in ToKyo showed
tha,, 65% of those questio,•ed did not consider the US to be a reliable
ally.30/ Yet the Japanese prefer to see the US out of Vietnam.
5. Consequences of US Withdrawal Planning
The withdrawal was accomplished in a reasonably crderly manner.
Tactical integrity was maintained, The short span of time allocated to the
withdrawal did not permit sufficient t;me for the parallel effort, Vietnamization,
to be accomplisied effectively
The planning was done by the field
commander's staff, as properly it should have been. Critics of that planning,
generally the staffs of subordinate commdndcrs who felt the bur,!en of
short deadlines which were necessary becaise of the secrecy requirel, also
accomplished their tasks in orderly fashion.
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