Vietnam and the Left: A Symposium

The discussion we propose here is confined to those who are critical of current U.S. policy in Vietnam. Apart from urgent expressions of anxiety as to the dangers of an escalated war and equally urgent condemnations of terror bombings and destruction of entire villages in Vietnam—matters upon which we surely all agree—there follows the question: what course of action should the American left now advocate in regard to Vietnam? We have therefore worked up some questions, as specific as we could make them, which we hope may guide, though they should not constrict, your comments.

1) Do you favor immediate withdrawal by the U.S. of its military forces from Vietnam? Since it seems most unlikely that such a policy will in fact be adopted by the U.S. government, do you believe that this should nevertheless be the central focus of public protest? Assuming, however, that such a course were accepted by the U.S., what do you see as the likely consequence in regard to Vietnam itself, Southeast Asia and international politics?

2) If you do not favor immediate withdrawal, what proposals would you advance for a U.S. policy directed toward enabling negotiations in Vietnam? In what specific ways would your proposals be differentiated from those of the Johnson Administration, which claims also to be in favor of negotiations?

3) Let us now assume that the proposals advanced under question 2 were to be accepted and acted upon by the U.S. government. Let us further assu...