Nixon and Thieu threaten ‘vigorous reactions’ against North Vietnamese cease-fire violations 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1973)


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(Tuesday, April 3, 1973, 12:53 p.m. PST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu threatened “vigorous reactions” against communist cease-fire violations today as Nixon promised substantial postwar economic aid for South Vietnam.


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Among other things, the two leaders promised to carry out the provisions of the Paris peace agreement “scrupulously” and to work for peace in Laos and Cambodia as well as Vietnam.


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Their communique after two days of talks at the western White House in San Clemente, California, made no specific pledge of renewed U.S. military intervention and gave no specific dollar figure for what it terms an “adequate and substantial” economic aid program.

Although Congress forbids further U.S. military action, Nixon gave Thieu secret assurances that America will use full force if North Vietnam violates the cease-fire.