August 26.-U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge presents his credentials to President Diem. August 27.-Cambodia breaks off diplomatic relations with South Vietnam. August 29.-French President de Gaulle issues policy statement on South Vietnam. He declares that France is able "to appreciate the role this people would be capable of playing in the current situation of Asia for its own progress and for the benefit of international understanding once it was able to exercise its activity in independence from foreign influence, in internal peace and unity, and in concord with its neighbors. Today, more than ever, this is what France wishes for all of Vietnam." August 30.-French Ambassador to the United States Herve Alphand declares, after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk, that General de Gaulle's statement is part of a long-range French political solution which would reunify North and South Vietnam in "independence and neutrality" and that his declaration is not meant as a slap at the United States. September 2.-Times of Vietnam charges that U.S. Central Intelligence Agency_agents had planned a coup d'etat for August 28 to overthrow President Diem. On the same day, U.S. President Kennedy declares (in a television interview with CBS Correspondent Walter Cronkite) that the United States is prepared to continue to assist South Vietnam "but I don't think that the war can be won unless the people support the effort and, in my opinion, in the last 2 months, the Government has gotten out of touch with the people." September 5.-President Diem declares (in a press interview) that "the Government considers this [Buddhist] affair closed." He denies reports that his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu has taken control of the Government. On the same day, Ngo Dinh Nhu says (in a press interview): "I have never controlled the Government." September 8.-David Bell, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, warns (in a television interview) that the U.S. Congress may cut back aid to South Vietnam unless the Diem government changes its policies. Cambodia receives from Soviet Union three MIG-17 jet fighters and other military equip ment. September 9.-President Kennedy (in a televised interview) says that he doesn't think "it would be helpful at this time" to reduce U.S. aid to South Vietnam, because that might bring about a collapse similar to that of the Chiang Kai-shek government in China after World War II. On the same day, U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge confers with President Diem. September 14.-Presidential decree announces end of martial law in Vietnam on September 16. September 21.-President Kennedy orders Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara and Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to go to South Vietnam to review the military efforts against the Communist Vietcong. McNamara and Taylor in South Vietnam from September 24 to October 1. 1963-Continued September 27-Elections are held for the 123-member National Assembly. All candidates were approved in advance by the Government; many were unopposed, including President Diem's brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, and his wife, Mme. Nhu. October 2.-Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara and Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, report to President Kennedy and the National Security Council on their mission to South Vietnam. The statement says that the United States will continue its "policy of working with the people and Government of South Vietnam to deny this country to communism and to suppress the externally stimulated and supported insurgency of the Vietcong as promptly as possible. Effective performance in this undertaking is the central object of our policy in South Vietnam." October 7.-Mme. Ngo Dinh Nhu, sister-in-law of President Diem, arrives in New York to begin a 3-week unofficial visit to the United States. October 8.-U.N. General Assembly agrees to send a factfinding mission to South Vietnam to investigate charges of Government oppression of Buddists. The Diem government on October 4 had invited the U.N. to send such a mission. October 24.-U.N. factfinding mission on the Buddhist situation in South Vietnam arrives in Saigon, and on the next day confers with President Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu. October 27.-Buddhist monk burns himself to death in Saigon-the seventh such suicide since June 11. November 1.-Military coup (organized by the key generals of the armed forces) against the Diem regime. Rebels lay seige to the presidential palace in Saigon which is captured by the following morning. President Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu escape from the palace, but a few hours later are taken by the rebels, and while being transported in an armored carrier to rebel headquarters they are assassinated. A proclamation broadcast by the leaders of the coup (a council of generals, headed by Maj. Gen. Duong Van Minh) declares that they have "no political ambitions" and that the fight against the Communists must be carried on to a successful conclusion. November 2.-Military leaders in South Vietnam set up a provisional Government headed by former Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Thọ (a Buddhist) as Premier. The Constitution is suspended and the National Assembly dissolved. Buddhists, students, and other political prisoners arrested by the former regime are released. November 4.-Premier Nguyen Ngoc Tho of South Vietnam announces formation of a mixed military-civilian Cabinet which has been approved by the military leaders. United States recognizes the new provisional Government of South Vietnam. U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk rejects, during a press conference, French President de Gaulle's proposals for a neutral, independent Vietnam, stating that the result would be a Communist Vietnam. November 9.-United States announces resumption of its commodityimport aid to South Vietnam, suspended in August. November 14.-President Kennedy, in his news conference, states his confidence in General Harkins and denies reports that Harkins "lost his usefulness in Vietnam because of his identification with the Diem regime." November 15.-U.S. military spokesman in Saigon reports that 1,000 U.S. servicemen will be withdrawn from South Vietnam, beginning December 3. November 19.-Sihanouk declares end to all U.S. military and economic aid to Cambodia, charging that the CIA is trying to oust him from power. November 20.-U.S. Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara and Secretary of State Dean Rusk confer in Honolulu, Hawaii, with U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam, Henry Cabot Lodge and commander of U.S. military operations in the area, Gen. Paul D. Harkins. November 22.-President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Tex. His successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, affirms on November 24 the U.S. intention to continue its military and economic support of South Vietnam's struggle against the Communist Vietcong. December 12.-Sihanouk announces the recall of the Cambodian Ambassador to the United States and the entire staff. December 14.-U.S. military spokesman in Saigon reports on stepped up guerrilla attacks on hamlets, outposts, and patrols in November, estimating Government casualties at 2,800 and Vietcong losses at 2,900. He also reports that enough weapons were captured by the Vietcong to arm five 300-man battalions. December 19-20.-U.S. Defense Secretary McNamara and Director of CIA, John A. McCone in Saigon to evaluate the new Government's war efforts against the Vietcong. 1964 January 2.-Secretary Rusk announces in news conference that "A Vietnamese Army group seized in the delta area of Vietnam some 300,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, weapons like mortars, recoilless ammunition, made in China" and that almost certainly Hanoi was primarily responsible for their infiltration into South Vietnam. January 6.-Government decrees a three-man military command over the Vietnamese forces and Government (consisting of Maj. Gen. Duong Van Minh (chief of state), Maj. Gen. Tran Van Don and Maj. Gen. Le Van Kim. January 10.-Sihanouk postpones the departure date for U.S. aid personnel, who had been told to leave Laos by January 15. January 11-Sihanouk says he is willing to accept U.S. aid if it is offered "without conditions." January 27.-U.S. Secretary of Defense McNamara in a speech before the House Armed Services Committee states that the situation in South Vietnam "continues grave," but that "the survival of an independent Government in South Vietnam is so important to the security of southeast Asia and to the free world that I can conceive of no alternative other than to take all necessary measures with our capability to prevent a Communist victory." France establishes diplomatic relations with Communist China. 1964-Continued January 30.-Military coup, organized by Maj. Gen. Nguyen Khanh, ousts Government of Maj. Gen. Duong Van Minh from power in South Vietnam. February 4-6.-Vietcong launches offensive in Tay Ninh province and the Mekong Delta; in ensuing fighting hundreds of Government troops are reported dead. February 7.-When asked at a press conference about certain neutralization proposals regarding South Vietnam, Secretary Rusk reiterates U.S. policy that, "If the agreements which have already been reached and which have been signed by those in the north would be fulfilled, there could be peace in southast Asia." February 8.-Maj. Gen. Khanh, leader of the military junta, announces formation of a new Vietnamese Government with himself as Premier, Maj. Gen. Duong Van Minh as nominal Chief of State, and a mixed civilian-military Cabinet in charge of administration. February 19.-Sihanouk proposes that a four-nation agreement be signed by the United States, Thailand, South Vietnam, and Cambodia to "recognize" Cambodia's neutrality and territorial integrity. March 7.-General Khanh announces a 1-year reform program to rebuild South Vietnam's political and administrative structure and raise standard of living. March 8-12.-McNamara and Taylor in Saigon. March 22.-Vietnam Military Council gives unanimous vote of confidence to Premier Khanh. April 13-15.-SEATO Ministerial Council communique declares the defeat of Vietcong is "essential" to the security of southeast Asia and SEATO to fulfill its treaty obligations. April 19.-Military coup (by rightwing generals) against the govern- April 23.-Legitimate government of Souvanna Phouma restored in April 25.-General Westmoreland to replace General Harkins in May 1.-Souvanna Phouma announces merger of rightwing and May 2.-Explosion in Saigon Harbor sinks U.S. aircraft transport ship. May 12-Secretary Rusk asks NATO members to give greater support to South Vietnam. May 12-13.-Secretary McNamara and General Taylor make fifth on-the-spot review of South Vietnam. May 13.-Cambodia calls for urgent meeting of U.N. Security Coun cil to consider the "repeated acts of aggression" by United StatesSouth Vietnamese forces. May 17.-Pathet Lao forces begin overrunning neutralist forces in May 20-France proposes reconvening of 14 nation conference on H May 21.-United States initiates reconnaissance flight over Laos. May 22.-Secretary Rusk stating the choices in Vietnam, says: "A third choice would be to expand the war. This can be the result if the Communists persist in their course of aggression." May 25.-U.N. Security Council considers establishment of a commission of experts "to help define and mark the border line between South Vietnam and Cambodia." May 27.-United States announces that several T-28 fighter-bombers have been sent to Laos. June 6-7.-Two U.S. reconnaissance planes are shot down by Pathet Lao ground fire from the Plain of Jars. June 12.-President de Gaulle calls for an end to all foreign intervention in South Vietnam. June 23.-President Johnson announces appointment of General Taylor to be U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam and Alexis Johnson as Deputy Ambassador. August 2.-U.S.S. Maddox is attacked in international waters off the coast of North Vietnam by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. August 4.-Destroyer C. Turner Joy and destroyer Maddox are attacked by North Vietnamese PT boats. August 4.-President Johnson orders U.S. "air action" against "gunboats and certain supporting facilities in North Vietnam." August 5.-President Johnson's message to Congress; joint resolution is introduced "To promote the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia." August 5.-United States sends reinforcements to Tonkin Bay area. August 6.-Cambodia charges "Americans in uniform joined South Vietnamese in firing into Cambodia." August 7.-U.S. Congress approves southeast Asia resolution (Senate. vote, 88-2; House vote, 416-0). General Khanh declares state of emergency in Vietnam. August 11.-President Johnson signs southeast Asia resolution into law (Public Law 88-408). August 16.-General Khanh elected Vietnamese President by Military Revolutionary Council, ousts Duong Van Minh as chief of state and installs new constitution. August 25.-General Khanh promises liberalization of regime after repeated protests by Vietnamese. August 27.-New Vietnam Constitution is withdrawn; Revolutionary Council disbands; General Khanh, Duong Van Minh, and Tran Thien Khiem are named provisional leaders. August 29.-Nguyen Xuan Oanh is named acting premier of Vietnam to head caretaker government for 2 months. He states General Khanh has suffered mental and physical breakdown. September 3.-General Khanh resumes premiership; Taylor sees him "rested and recovered"; dissolves triumvirate and restores Duong Van Minh to position of chief of State. Cambodia charges South Vietnam launched "major attack" near Koh Rokar, penetrating into Cambodia territory. September 13.-Bloodless coup by Brig. Gen. Lam Van Phat against General Khanh in Saigon. September 13.-Forces loyal to General Khanh regain control of Vietnam Government. |