Oral history transcript, Robert Komer, interview 3 (III), 11/15/1971, by Paige E. Mulhollan

Title:

Oral history transcript, Robert Komer, interview 3 (III), 11/15/1971, by Paige E. Mulhollan

Number of Pages:

84

Description:

The Congo crisis of June 1964; how the Russians got credit for settling the India-Pakistan crisis of 1964 and U.S. involvement in the crisis; how LBJ obtained and evaluated information; U.S. military aid to Pakistan; the Three Week War; the reputation of the National Security Council; being promoted to Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs; Francis Bator; filling in after McGeorge Bundy left his position in February/March of 1966; why McGeorge Bundy left his position as Special Assistant for National Security Affairs and the process of funding a replacement; Bromley Smith; bombing halt; Komer starting work as Special Assistant for the Other War in Vietnam; Rostow’s appointment to replace McGeorge Bundy; balancing pacification and military involvement in the “other war”; the State Department’s lack of interest in the Other War; management of the Other War; Komer’s Vietnam reports; regrets regarding Komer’s work in Vietnam; Clark Clifford’s goals and plans; Komer’s idea for a war cabinet and getting the military involved in running the Other War; creation of OCO; the Manila Conference; problems with U.S. involvement in Vietnam; unified command under the military; American effect on Vietnamese politics; results of Tet offensive; Presidents’ susceptibility to media; John Henry’s thesis; staffing in Vietnam; Gene Locke; what happened to Komer’s Washington D.C. position after he left for Vietnam; Komer being asked to divide his responsibility between LBJ and Westmoreland and Bunker; how Komer became ambassador.

Contributor:

Komer, R. W.

Collection:

LBJ Library Oral Histories

Collection Description:

Go to List of Holdings

Series:

Transcripts of LBJ Library Oral Histories

See Also:

See all online interviews with Robert Komer

Subject:

Vietnam; Tet Offensive, 1968

Relation:

Go to Interviewee bio page

Rights:

Possibly copyright restricted: see deed at end of transcript for details