PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY FROM MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. RUNNINGS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000100070016-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 30, 2003
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: September 10, 1963
• Content Type: LETTER

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September lp, 19 3
Pres'.tdent John F. Kennedy
The SNhito House
1Nash'.tngton, D. C.
An. article on page 1 of the New York Times yesterday, re-
portesd that the U.S. is continuing payments of a quarter of a
million dollars a month to the "special forees" of Colonel Le
Quan~; Tung in South Vietnam whioh were involved in the raids
?n the Buddhist temples there recently. We were aghast, horri-
fied? indignant and ashamed. We protest the use of our money
for ssuah pure?ses which are completely contrary to our ideals,
principles and beliefs.
In the same paper, page 13 is a lengthy disausaion on the
"pro~~aganda war" between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. which quotes
a memorandum from you to the U.S.I.A., in part, "encourage oon-
strucstive public support abroad for the goal of a peaoeful world
comnn.~nity of free and independent states, free to choose-their
own i:'uture and their own system so long as it does not threaten
the freedom of others; identify the United States as a strong,
democratic, dynamic nation qualified for its leadership of world
efforts toward this goal,. of what use are these words, regard-
less of how many languages they are repeated in, when our aotiona
giYe them the lie?
TNhen? qhI 7Vhen will we as a nation stop trying to be
Janus: and recognize that a stron6 military with consequent mili-
tarily oriented poliay is incompatible with democratio prinaiplea7
The situation in Vietnam is a perfect example of the folly of
arrogating to military poliay the statue of principle. Perhaps
is i~r also a warnings "Change, before it is too late."
r
. and Mrs. John J. Rnnnin~~
STAT
Approved For Release 2003/11/06: CIA-RDP80B01676R000100070016-9
 L~.
2003/11/Q~;: C~A?~''D~
president John F. Kennedy
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Approved For Release 2003/11/06: CIA-RDP80B01676R000100070016-9