We shall fight the battle against aggression in Vietnam to a successful conclusion.

The leaders of the two Governments reached full agreement upon a policy of growing military effectiveness.

Their fundamental concord of purpose and policy is stated in the Declaration of Honolulu.

It was agreed that Secretary of Agriculture Freeman and a team of agricultural experts would proceed at once to Vietnam.

The United States seeks to impose no alliance or alignment.

So this afternoon I extend to these two friends and these allies of ours a most warm welcome to our country.

We are making reality out of the hopes of the common people--hope for a better life.

And that is why it is vitally important to every American that we stop the Communists in South Vietnam.

Why do these Vietnamese fight on?

They fight for dreams beyond the din of battle--the dream of security in their village, a teacher for their children, food for their bodies, medicine for their sick, the right to worship in the way they choose.

I welcome these two brave leaders of the Vietnamese Republic and their colleagues to American soil.

Our stand must be as firm as ever.

We cannot accept their logic that tyranny 10,000 miles away is not tyranny to concern us, or that subjugation by an armed minority in Asia is different from subjugation by an armed minority in Europe.

And yet they fight on.

We cannot accept their logic that tyranny 10,000 miles away is not tyranny to concern us.

There are special pleaders who counsel retreat in Vietnam.

For some time I have been wanting to have a chance to review with Ambassador Lodge and General Westmoreland our complete program there.

The problem is that if you are fully responsive in some military matters, the Chief of Staff can very quickly get your men involved.