Washington, D.C. (JFK+50)The State Department revealed fifty years ago today, March 22, 1965, the fact that non-lethal gas was supplied by the United States to the South Vietnamese Army to be used in battle with Vietnamese communists or Viet Cong.
Secretary of State Dean Rusk, who was appointed to the position by President John F. Kennedy, said the gas was the same type used by police in riot control.
North Vietnam and the Soviet Union protested the introduction of poisonous gas into the war.
JFK SAYS UNITED STATES WANTS PEACE IN LAOS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Kennedy discussed the situation in Laos at his televised news conference in Washington 54 years ago today, March 22, 1961.
Laos was in the grip of a civil war between the pro-Western regime and the pro-communist Pathet Lao.
JFK said the United States would not tolerate the loss of Laos to rebel forces and that along with our allies, we would consider military options.
President Kennedy said...
"I want to make it clear...all we want in Laos is peace...a truly neutral government & a settlement at the conference table."
JFK PUSHED PASSAGE OF 24TH AMENDMENT
Washington, D.C.(JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, March 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy sent a telegram to the governors of states which had not yet ratified the proposed 24th amendment to the Constitution of the United States which prohibits the collection of poll taxes.
JFK emphasized the importance of ratification of the amendment to insure a fair election in 1964.
The President said...
"Every effort should be made to broaden the base of citizen participation."