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Full-text: July 15 1971 a.m. hearing (pages 1-95)
CIA/DoD Phoenix Program:
Targeting non-combatants (civilians)
Also: Torture and murder of prisoners
Alt+left-arrow to return from a link
Full-text: July 15 1971 a.m. hearing (pages 1-95)
CIA/DoD Phoenix Program:
Targeting non-combatants (civilians)
Also: Torture and murder of prisoners
CIS: 72 H401-3 SuDoc: Y 4.G 74/7:V 67/4
HEARINGS
BEFORE A
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NINETY-SECOND CONGRESS FIRST SESSION
______________________
July 15 {a.m., p.m.}, 16, 19, 21; and August 2, 1971
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Government Operations
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
68-870 WASHINGTON :
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Chet Holifield, California, Chairman
| Jack Brooks, Texas | Florence P. Dwyer, New Jersey |
| L. H. Fountain, North Carolina | Ogden R. Reid. New York |
| Robert E. Jones, Alabama | Frank Horton, New York |
| Edward A. Garmatz, Maryland | John N. Erlenborn, Illinois |
| John E. Moss, California | John W. Wydler, New York |
| Dante B. Fascell, Florida | Clarence J. Brown, Ohio |
| Henry S. Reuss, Wisconsin | Guy Vander Jagt, Michigan |
| John S. Monagan, Connecticut | Gilbert Gude, Maryland |
| Torbert H. MacDonald, Massachusetts | Paul N. McCloskey, Jr., California |
| William S. Moorhead, Pennsylvania | John H. Buchanan, Jr., Alabama |
| Cornelius E. Gallagher, New Jersey | Sam Steiger, Arizona |
| Wm. J. Randall, Missouri | Garry Brown, Michigan |
| Benjamin S. Rosenthal, New York | Barry M. Goldwater, Jr., California |
| Jim Wright, Texas | J. Kenneth Robinson, Virginia |
| Fernand J. St Germain, Rhode Island | Walter E. Powell, Ohio |
| John C. Culver, Iowa | Charles Thone, Nebraska |
| Floyd V. Hicks, Washington | |
| George W. Collins, Illinois | |
| Don Fuqua, Florida | |
| John Conyers, Jr., Michigan | |
| Bill Alexander, Arkansas | |
| Bella S. Abzug, New York | |
______________________
FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SUBCOMMITTEE
William S. Moorhead, Pennsylvania, Chairman
| John E. Moss, California | Ogden R. Reid, New York |
| Torbert H. MacDonald, Massachusetts | Frank Horton, New York |
| Jim Wright, Texas | John N. Erlenborn, Illinois |
| John Conyers, Jr., Michigan | Paul N. McCloskey, Jr., California |
| Bill Alexander, Arkansas | |
| EX OFFICIO | |
| Chet Holifield, California | Florence P. Dwyer, New Jersey |
(II)
CONTENTS
{to come}
{July 15 1971 a.m. hearing, pages 1-95}
(III)
U.S. Assistance Programs in Vietnam
_______________
Washington, D.C.
Present: Representatives William S. Moorhead, John E. Moss, Ogden R. Reid, John N. Erlenborn, and Paul N. McCloskey, Jr.
Staff members present: William G. Phillips, staff director; Norman G. Cornish, deputy staff director; Harold F. Whittington, staff consultant; Dale E. Moser, supervisory auditor, GAO; and William H. Copenhaver, minority professional staff, Committee on Government Operations.
Mr. Moorhead. The Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Government Information will please come to order.
This morning we turn to another aspect of our investigation of U.S. assistance programs in Southeast Asia — their economy and efficiency and the ways in which they are coordinated.
Our first witness today will be Assistant Administrator Robert H. Nooter of the Agency for International Development who testified on exchange rates and the Vietnamese economic situation last week.
We welcome you back again, Mr. Nooter. I understand that you are accompanied by Mr. William C. Schmeisser, Jr., Associate Assistant Administrator for Commodity and Contract Management, and Mr. Charles P. Fossum, Associate Administrator for National Development, AID.
Later in the day we will hear from Mr. Don Luce of the World Council of Churches, who spent more than 12 years in South Vietnam and who returned to the United States only recently at the insistence of the Thieu government.
Mr. Nooter, will you rise and be sworn
(All witnesses were sworn by the chairman.)
Mr. Moorhead. You may proceed, Mr. Nooter. {p.3}
Statement of
Robert H. Nooter,
Assistant Administrator (Vietnam),
Agency for International Development;
accompanied by
Charles P. Fossum,
Associate Assistant Administrator
for Commodity and Contract Management;
William C. Schmeisser, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, National Development;
Johannes Hoeber,
Director, Refugee Programs; and
John Manopoli,
Office of Public Safety, Vietnam Division
Mr. Nooter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
With your permission, I will read the prepared statement which we have before us this morning.
I appreciate the opportunity to appear before this committee to discuss AID’s program in Vietnam.
PROGRESS OVER THE YEARS
The rapid expansion of AID’s program in Vietnam, beginning in fiscal year 1966 was in response to the many economic, administrative, and humanitarian problems facing South Vietnam as it massed its resources to meet a greatly accelerated war effort.
Domestic production had begun to be seriously crippled due to both the destructiveness of the fighting and the need to shift resources to the military. In addition, allied troops were beginning to make demands on a wide variety of local goods and services. Prices within South Vietnam soared, and imports required to meet increased demands were clogged at the ports, which were hopelessly overburdened by both military and civilian cargoes. Refugees fleeing the combat areas descended on urban centers already incapable of providing minimum requirements for water, power, housing, and sanitary facilities. It was in this setting that AID proceeded to develop the largest single-country assistance program ever undertaken.
PORT OF SAIGON
Over the past 5 years we have been reasonably successful in solving many of these problems. For example, the port of Saigon, the sole port where deep draft ships could be discharged at the quay, berthed 10 ships and handled about 1.5 million tons of cargo a year in 1965.
On any day in 1966 one could spot over 100 ships waiting to unload. Today that same port can handle nearly 5 million tons, with ship turnaround time second to none in the Far East.
AID in conjunction with the U.S. military helped in providing over 500 pieces of material-handling equipment, added berths, leased modern barges and tugs, constructed warehouses and helped the GVN establish a port authority trained by AID to undertake modern cargo planning techniques, handling practices and improved security.
As a result not only is more than three times the amount of cargo being handled, but war risk surcharges which had risen from $4 per ton in 1965 to $16 after the Tet offensive in 1968 have dropped to about $3.50. {p.4}
{Pages 4-94 to come} {p.95}
to insure that this recommendation is carried out. (Source: H. Rept 2257, dated Oct. 12, 1966, p. 71, No. 7).
The report concludes the U.S. military maintained close surveillance over the management of Saigon Port, and that since USAID assumed this responsibility, surveillance has been substantially reduced without adverse affect.
AID concurs in this conclusion, and has programed its advisory efforts in this area on a diminishing scale through 1974.
X. CENTRAL PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATION
Recommendation from prior report
A central organization to purchase and distribute goods purchased by nonappropriated fund activities should be immediately established. (Source: H. Rept. 611, dated Aug. 25, 1967. p. 7, No. 5).
This recommendation and the report’s conclusions apply solely to the U.S. military.
(Whereupon, at 1:40 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, to reconvene at 2:30 p.m., the same day.) {p.96}
Source: The printed hearings (cited below).
By CJHjr: Photocopied at 141%, scanned, converted to text (OCR: FineReader 7.0), formatted (xhtml/css), links, text {in braces}, text beside a green bar |, text in yellow boxes, bold-face, bold-italics, highlighting, added paragraphing (for ease of reading) marked with this trailing paragraph symbol: ¶ .
• This document (the second Phoenix hearings): July 15 1971 a.m. hearing, pages 1-95, U.S. Congress, House Hearings, U.S. Assistance Programs in Vietnam (U.S. Congress 92-1, House Committee on Government Operations, Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Government Information, Hearings, July 15 {a.m., p.m.}, 16, 19, 21, and August 2 1971, 4+362 pages) {SuDoc: Y 4.G 74/7:V 67/4, CIS: 72 H401-3, OCLC: 235387, LCCN: 71616178 pf, DL, WorldCat}. Ensuing report: U.S. Assistance Programs in Vietnam (U.S. Congress 92-2, House Report No. 92-1610, House Committee on Government Operations, October 17 1972, 5+107 pages) {SuDoc: [Y 1.1/8:]92-2:H.RP.1610, Serial Set: 12976-6, CIS: 72 H403-19, OCLC: 540690, LCCN: 72603272 pf, WorldCat} {Full text: pages 1-46 2.4mb.pdf, pages 47-97 2.8mb.pdf, pages 99-107 501kb.pdf, omitting page 98 and repeating page 107, instead, at the start}.
Next: July 15 1971 p.m. hearing (pages 95-122) {175 kb}.
See also:
• The first Phoenix hearings: Vietnam: Policy and Prospects, 1970 {58.4mb.pdf, source}, “Hearings on Civil Operations and Rural Development Support Program” (U.S. Congress 91-2, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Hearings, February 17, 18, 19, 20, and March 3, 4, 17, 19, 1970, and Appendix, 7+750 pages) {SuDoc: Y 4.F 76/2:V 67/17, CIS: 71 S381-2, OCLC: 119418, LCCN: 76610214 pf, DL, WorldCat}.
• The third Phoenix hearings: Nomination of William E. Colby to be Director of Central Intelligence (U.S. Congress 93-1, Senate Armed Services Committee, Hearings, July 2, 20 {a.m., p.m.}, 25, 1973, 3+186 pages) {SuDoc: Y 4.AR 5/3:C 67/3, CIS: 73 S201-27, OCLC: 800312, LCCN: 73603022 pf, DL, WorldCat}. Witnesses: William E. Colby, Robert F. Drinan, Samuel A. Adams, Paul Sakwa, David S. Harrington, Kenneth B. Osborn.
• Vietnam Policy Proposals: Hearings on nine proposed items of legislation to end the U.S. war in Vietnam (U.S. Congress 91-2, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Hearings, February 3, 4, 5, and March 16, 1970, 5+405 pages) {SuDoc: Y 4.F 76/2:V 67/16, CIS: 70 S381-7, OCLC: 78825, LCCN: 74606991 pf, DL, WorldCat}.
• National Veterans Inquiry on U.S. War Crimes in Vietnam (Citizens’ Commission of Inquiry on U.S. War Crimes, Washington D.C., December 1-3 1970), transcript, 117 Congressional Record 4238-4271 (U.S. Congress 92-1, March 1 1971, Permanent Edition (red bound)) {SuDoc: X.92/1:117/PT.4, ISSN: 0883-1947, OCLC: 05058415, LCCN: 12036438 pf, GPOCat, LL: paper, microfiche, DL, WorldCat}. Witnesses: Robert Bowie Johnson Jr., Mike McCusker, Daniel K. Amigone, Greg Motoka, Kenneth Barton Osborn, Norman Kiger, Gail Graham, Steve Noetzel, Edward Murphy, Daniel Alfiero, Louis Paul Font, Robert Master, Peter Norman Martinsen, T. Griffiths Ellison, Ed Melton, Chuck Hamilton, Lee Meyrowitz, Gordon S. Livingston, Greg Turgeon, Richard Altenberger, Bob Connelly, Robert Lifton, Chaim Shatan, Donald Engel, Gary Thamer, Steven Hassett, Kenneth Campbell, Sam Rankin, Phillip Wingenbach, Tod Ensign, Larry Rottmann, Robert Osman.
• Winter Soldier Investigation (Vietnam Veterans Against the War Inc., Detroit Michigan, January 31, February 1-2, 1971), transcript, 117 Congressional Record 9947-10055 (U.S. Congress 92-1, April 6 1971, Permanent Edition (red bound)) {SuDoc: X.92/1:117/PT.8, ISSN: 0883-1947, OCLC: 05058415, LCCN: 12036438 pf, GPOCat, LL: paper, microfiche, DL, WorldCat}; 117 Congressional Record E 2825-2936 (U.S. Congress 92-1, April 6-? 1971, Daily Edition (green bound)) {SuDoc: X/A.92/1:117/???-???, ISSN: 0363-7239, LCCN: 80646573 pf, OCLC: 02437919, GPOCat, LL: paper, microfiche, DL, WorldCat}.
• American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 1971 (U.S. Congress 92-1, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on National Security Policy and Scientific Developments, Hearings, March 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, April 1, 6, 20 {vvaw}, 1971, 9+583 pages) {SuDoc: Y 4.F 76/1:P 93/4/971/PT.1, CIS: 71 H381-9, OCLC: 15634210, LCCN: 77612471 pf, WorldCat}, witness: Larry Rottmann (volunteer coordinator, Vietnam Veterans Against the War), April 20 1971 hearing, pages 353-423 {3.2mb.pdf}, at pages 406-423. CIS: “Description of charged mistreatment of prisoners in South Vietnam by American forces; report of receiving Officers Candidate School instruction on the use of torture.”
• Legislative Proposals Relating to the War in Southeast Asia {44.14mb.pdf, source} “Hearings before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, Ninety-Second Congress, First Session, on S. 376, S. 974, S.J. Res. 82, S.J. Res. 89, S. Con. Res. 17, S. Res. 62, and S. Res. 66” (U.S. Congress 92-1, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Hearings, April 20-May 27 1971: “April 20, 21 and 22, 28, May 3, 11, 12, 13, 25, 26 and 27, 1971,” 7+726+12 pages) {SuDoc: Y 4.F 76/2:AS 4/13, CIS: 71 S381-18, OCLC: 198272, LCCN: 79614140 pf, DL, WorldCat}, witness: John Kerry (VVAW: Vietnam Veterans Against the War), Thursday April 22 1971, 11:05am-1:00pm, pages 179-210 {3.1mb.pdf}.
• House Ad Hoc Hearing for Vietnam Veterans Against the War (U.S. Congressmen Jonathon Bingham and Paul Findley, presiding, Friday, April 23 1971, Venue: U.S. Congress, House of Representatives), transcript, 117 Congressional Record 13104-13118 (U.S. Congress 92-1, May 3 1971, Permanent Edition (red bound)) {SuDoc: X.92/1:117/PT.10, ISSN: 0883-1947, OCLC: 05058415, LCCN: 12036438 pf, GPOCat, LL: paper, microfiche, DL, WorldCat}. Witnesses: Larry Rottmann, Forest Lindley, Les Johnson, Arthur Egendorf, Kip A. Kypriandes, Phillip Lowley, Vinny Giardina, Michael Paul McCusker, William W. Lemmer, Alex Prim, Robert McLaughlin, Jack Smith, David B. Maize.
• Senate Ad Hoc Hearing for Vietnam Veterans Against the War (U.S. Senator George McGovern, presiding, Friday, April 23 1971, Venue: U.S. Congress, Senate, Room G-103 New Senate Office Building), transcript, 117 Congressional Record 15392-15405 (U.S. Congress 92-1, May 17 1971, Permanent Edition (red bound)) {SuDoc: X.92/1:117/PT.12, ISSN: 0883-1947, OCLC: 05058415, LCCN: 12036438 pf, GPOCat, LL: paper, microfiche, DL, WorldCat}. Witnesses: Scott Camil, Vinny Giardina, Melville L. Stephens, Basil Paquet, Joe Nielsen, Dale Granata, Everett Carson, Forrest Lindley Jr., Samuel Miller, David A. Lamenzo, Jon Bjornson, Ken Provan.
• Ad Hoc Hearings on Command Responsibility for War Atrocities in Vietnam {copy} (U.S. Congressman Ron Dellums, presiding, April 26, 27, 28, 29, 1971, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Venue: U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building), transcript, The Dellums Committee Hearings on War Crimes in Vietnam: An Inquiry into Command Responsibility in Southeast Asia (New York, Vintage Books, 1972, 13+355 pages) {LCCN: 79039897 pf, ISBN: 0394717678, WorldCat}. Witnesses: Five West Point graduates (Fred Laughlin, Gordon Livingston {Iraq, copy}, Robert B. Johnson, Greg Hayward, Ron Bartek, Michael O'Mera), five former military intelligence special agents and PoW interrogators {omitted from the linked source}, ten former Americal Division members (Gary Battles, Charles David Locke, Terry Mullen, Steve Padoris, Daniel S. Notley, John Beitzel, Guadalupe G. Villarreal, Daniel Barnes, Thomas Cole, William Toffling), overview of air war, pacification, and forced urbanization (John Sack, Kenneth Campbell, Randy Floyd, Elliot L Meyrowitz).
• Bertrand Russell Tribunal, “International War Crimes Tribunal” (Stockholm Sweden, May 2-10 1967; Roskilde Denmark, November 20 – December 1 1967).
• Tiger Force: “Buried Secrets, Brutal Truths: Tiger Force, an elite fighting unit in Vietnam, left a trail of atrocities in that country that have been concealed from the public for three decades.” (The Blade, Toledo Ohio, October 22 2003, February 15, March 28, April 6, May 2, May 12 2004).
This document is not copyrighted and may be freely copied.
CJHjrCharles Judson Harwood Jr.
Posted June 11 2004. Updated May 10 2009.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jksonc/docs/phoenix-hcgo-19710715am.html
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