This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas 
http://dolearchives.ku.edu

January 19, 1971

handwritten on page: Leg-pow

(Redacted)
Hutchinson, Kansas 65501

Dear (Redacted):
Thanks for your letter concerning the plight of our prisoners of war in Southeast Asia.

As you state, President Nixon inherited the war and he is winding down the war, while at the same time, obtaining a just an honorable peace and attempting to insure the safety and eventual release of our POW's. Unfortunately, many of the ultra liberals in the country constantly undermine the President's efforts, thus actually giving aid and comfort to the enemy and prolonging the war. You may be interested in the enclosed excerpts from the Congressional Record concerning our prisoners of war.

You may be assured I will continue my efforts in bahalf of our POW's, and trust you will let me know if I may be of assistance in any way.

Sincerely yours,
BOB DOLE 
U.S. Senate

BD: em 
Enclosures

s-con_293_015_005_A1b.pdf	Page 1 of 3

This document is from the collections at the Dote Archives, University of Kansas 
http://dolearchives.ku.edu

(Redacted)
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

(Redacted)
Hutchinson, Kansas
67501

January 6, 1971

Senator Bob Dole 
Senate Office Building 
Washington D. C. 20000

Dear Bob:
I was reading Kiplinger today, issue of December 31 and his summary of Viet Nam makes me shudder. Of course he tries to get his information from those close to the sourse of power. He believes that the administration will have the combat soldiers out of Viet Nam by 1972 with advisors remaining. The prisoners of war would still be there.

I had written to Laird over a year ago suggesting that the Vietnamization program would lead to such a result. I knew we could not pull out precepitously even with an agreement with the North with reference to the prisoners. The President's trouble was that the war had been lost in America before he took office. He could not have rallied the people and won a modest settlement after an escalation even if he had made the efforts. The traitors among us have poisoned the minds of too many people. The Cambodian raid showed the public mood. We are like the people of Hungry, we did not think it could happen to us.

Mr. Laird assured me that the prisoners would not be abondoned. Probably we cannot recover them without an invasion and Nixon cannot rally the people for such action. But Bob, I am in a dilemma. My wife, since she has a son who is a POW is ready to say, make an agreement to pull out of Viet Nam and to bring the prisoners home. By 1972 she is going to be one of millions saying the same thing. As a matter of fact many well intentioned people are saying it now, those who have no family involved.

It may be that a world outcry against the treatment of prisoners will bring some settlement. I note that the media put Harriman and Muskie on the air in an attempt to show that Nixon was using the prisoners as propaganda for continuing the war. I believe that there are among the Democrats, those who would rather put Nixon on the spot in order to beat him than to use their energies to bring the prisoners home.

s-con_293_015_005_A1b.pdf	Page 2 of 3

This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas 
http://dolearchives.ku.edu

Senator Bob Dole 
Page Two 
January 6, 1971

Since I started this letter I notice you will lead the party. I suggest that you challenge Muskie, Harriman Kennedy et al any time they make light of the POW challenge. The movement could very well reach a high note before long. I note that a song has been written about the POW. I wish however, that you could persuade those persons speaking nationally to draw special attention to the fact that the prisoners of the Viet Cong are the forgotten men, that no letters have ever been received from them.

But I also believe that the administration should work through private persons, such as Ross Perot in carrying on this POW issue. He cannot be accused then of using the prisoners issue as a means of extending the war. I have as much respect for the newscaster who raises the issue as I have for a Benedict Arnold.

Sincerely,
(Redacted)

(redacted): cr

s-con_293_015_005_A1b.pdf	Page 3 of 3