Correspondence Between Senator Bob Dole and a Mother of a POW (Prisoner of War)

Item

Other Media: s-con_293_016_001_Redacted_tr.txt

Transcription (Scripto): Read Full Text Only (TXT)
Extent (Dublin Core): 2 Pages
File Name (Dublin Core): s-con_293_016_001
Title (Dublin Core): Correspondence Between Senator Bob Dole and a Mother of a POW (Prisoner of War)
Date (Dublin Core): 1971-03
Date Created (Dublin Core): 1971-03
Congress (Dublin Core): 92nd (1971-1973)
Topics (Dublin Core): See all items with this value Prisoners of war--United States; See all items with this value Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Policy Area (Curation): Armed Forces and National Security
Creator (Dublin Core): Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021
Record Type (Dublin Core): correspondence
Names (Dublin Core): See all items with this value Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994
Rights (Dublin Core): http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/
Language (Dublin Core): eng
Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core): https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=31&q=
Physical Location (Dublin Core): Collection 002, Box 293, Folder 16
Institution (Dublin Core): Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Archival Collection (Dublin Core): Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996
Full Text (Extract Text): This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas
http://dolearchives.ku.edu

COPY

March 30, 1971

handwritten on page: Leg-pow

(Redacted)
Danville, Virginia 24541

Dear Mrs. (Redacted):
Thank you for your letter of March 24.

I certainly understand your concern and frustration, but believe we should all be encouraged by the fact that our government is now at least making an effort to secure the release of all prisoners of war. President Nixon has continued to emphasize that, although he will continue his scheduled withdrawal of American troops from Southeast Asia, he will not withdraw all troops until he is assured American prisoners of war will be released.

We are also continuing our negotiations in Paris, but, as you know, these have thus far proved fruitless. It is, of course, one thing to present demands to the Communists, but quite another for them to meet our demands. Frankly, it is my belief that if we had a little less rhetoric from the "doves" in the United States, the Communists might be more willing to negotiate.

In any event, you may be assured I will continue to do everything I possibly can on this problem of great concern to all Americans, and will speak out on their behalf at every opportunity.

Sincerely yours,
BOB DOLE
U.S. Senate

BD: jc

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

(Redacted)
Danville, Virginia

(Redacted)
Danville, Va. 24541
March 24, 1971

The Honorable Bob Dole
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
You are a man of your word and I appreciate you. Thank you for your letter and for enclosing Mr. Timmons' reply to your inquiry of Dr. Kissinger's meeting with the POW wives.

I am not convinced.

I am not a diplomat, a military strategist, nor a politician. I am only a mother and while I am anguished, frustrated, and heartsick, I am not neurotic or hysterical.

Realistically all we have to go on is fact. Those of us who have loved ones in South Vietnam and Laos have never received mail and as you know some of these men have been held in captivity for as long as six to seven years.

In each speech that President Nixon makes, he specifies that "we must withdraw in such a manner as to give the South Vietnamese a chance to survive". Are not the 1600 AMERICANS entitled to that same chance? I cannot understand the loyalties and allegiances and priorities. God only knows how many of these 1600 men have already died while waiting for our government to properly prepare the South Vietamese to fend alone. Just this week, with the premature pull-out of the South Vietnamese from Laos, a "concession" was made because of unexpected enemy resistance making the hasty retreat a concession in order to save lives. I am not questioning any military strategy, and since the security of our own country is not threatened by this war, I cannot comprehend why our government does not demand and execute a plan for release of our prisoners even tho it may put us in a compromising position, I dont see how it will change the complexion of the war or our disengagement which is known to be in progress.

Senator Dole, truly we are grateful to you. I know you are trying.

Very sincerely,
(Redacted)

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