○  renunciation speech  ○

se as i have said many times, this is our country. the existence of our nation is at stake, and this is mainly a vietnamese responsibility."

he warned his people that a major national effort is required to root out corruption and incompetence at all levels of government. we applaud this evidence of determination on the part of south vietnam. our first priority will be to support their effort. we shall accelerate the re-equipment of south vietnam's armed forces in order to meet the enemy's increased firepower. and this will enable them progressively to undertake a larger share of combat operations against the communist invaders.

on many occasions i have told the american people that we would send to vietnam those forces that are required to accomplish our mission there. so with that as our guide we have previously authorized a force level of approximately 525,000. some weeks ago to help meet the enemy's new offensive we sent to vietnam about 11,000 additional marine and airborne troops. they were deployed by air in 48 hours on an emergency basis. but the artillery and the tank and the aircraft and medical and other units that were needed to work with and support these infantry troops in combat could not then accompany them by air on that short notice.

in order that these forces may reach maximum combat effectiveness, the joint chiefs of staff have recommended to me that we should prepare to send during the next five months the support troops totaling approximately 13,500 men. a portion of these men will be made available from our active forces. the balance will come from reserve component units, which will be called up for service.

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