Developing story . . . See updates below. This story is starting to pick up some traction, so check back often as more updates are added.
Read Part II where I discuss the credibility of the evidence.
Update 10/28: A third document has been released.
Update 10/29: Interview with Troy Jenkins who personally found the documents
I’m not sure if this is completely legit because it’s such a ground breaking story and it is right before the election, but it’s worth a read. Treat this story with caution though as I cannot vouch for the authenticity of it. I will be doing some background research into it tomorrow.
Discovered papers: Hanoi directed Kerry (via Wizbang)
The first documentary evidence that Vietnamese communists were directly steering John Kerry’s antiwar group Vietnam Veterans Against the War has been discovered in a U.S. archive, according to a researcher who spoke with WorldNetDaily.
One freshly unearthed document, captured by the U.S. from Vietnamese communists in 1971 and later translated, indicates the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese delegations to the Paris peace talks that year were used as the communications link to direct the activities of Kerry and other antiwar activists who attended.
[snip]
“This document enables us to connect the dots,” he emphasized. “We now have evidence Madame Binh was directing the antiwar movement … and the person who implemented her strategy was John Kerry.”
Read the entire article because if it is true, it’s over for Kerry not only as President, but as a Senator as well. Deep down in the article is this little nugget that I have helped contribute to.
Swift Boat Vets and POWs for Truth dispatched two researchers to Texas Tech University’s Vietnam-era archive in Lubbock, which has more than 2 million documents, to “see if there was anything there,” Corsi said.
Texas Tech University, my alma mater, has the largest amount of Vietnam-era documents in the world. It was being built while I was in school and the documents were pouring in by the thousands. Some students complained that our tuition fees were paying for such documents, but wow. If this came out from my measly extra $2 per semester I’m certainly glad I paid for it without questioning where the money was going to.
Update:
The NY Sun has also jumped on this story.
The two documents provide a glimpse of the favorable way the Viet Cong viewed the activities in which Mr. Kerry was involved. They are from many documents of a kind that were ordinarily sent to a unit called the Captured Document Exploitation Center at the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, which was headquartered in Saigon. Documents like these that were sent to the center were immediately translated into English and processed for battlefield intelligence for targeting or operations as required, or filed.
Update:
I just got off the phone with a worker at the Vietnam archive. She informed me of the following. There were two people from the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth at the Texas Tech University archive within the last two to three weeks specifically looking for documents pertaining to John Kerry’s anti-war movmement Vietnam Veterans Against the War. She told me there has been a bit of a buzz around there as of late after these two individuals claimed they found something huge. She informed that none of the documents they have can be removed from the archive and must be studied upon at the actual site. She would not give me any more information and was pretty nervous concerning the questioning.
Contrary to what the article in WND states, I was told that the vast majority of the documents in the archive are in English. I’m not sure if these specific documents were translated or in English based upon my conversation, however she refused to get any more specific than she already had. Again, I cannot state whether or not these documents were in English or Vietnamese, I can only report what I was told.
I have left a voicemail for the director of the archive to ask more questions, but as the woman who answered the phone first told me, the university is wanting to remain on the sidelines of the issue and does not want people to call them. I got through because I am an alumn. Please do not barage the univeristy with phone calls.
Update:
I just got off the phone with Steven Maxner, Director of the Vietnam Archive, and he answered a few questions for me.
Has any member of the mainstream media contacted the Vietnam Archive in relation to this story? No. Not the New York Times, the Washington Post or any other major newspaper
Have you personally seen the documents in question? Yes I have. Can you vouch for the authenticity of the reports? Of course. These documents came from the the Douglas Pike Archive. Douglas Pike worked for the State Department and these documents came from our intelligence.
When did the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth visit the archives? Were they able to find the documents right away or did they have to search for a while? I cannot disclose personal information concerning any of our patrons just as any library couldn’t disclose personal information. The guys were here sometime last week, though I was not here so I do not know what day they came. It’s my understanding they were here for a good portion of the day so they probably had to search for the documents and didn’t know where to find them when they came in.
Upon the news of the Douglas Pike Collection, I started to do some background research into Mr. Pike. The late Douglas Pike, a former Foreign Service Officer, came to Texas Tech and served as the Associate Director of Research at The Vietnam Center until his passing.
When he came to Texas Tech, Professor Pike brought a vast collection of Vietnam-related materials: his own extensive writings plus several million pages of government documents, news clippings, Vietnamese Communist propaganda pamphlets, and more. The Pike Collection today constitutes a key facet of The Vietnam Archive.
From what Maxner told me over the phone, these documents came directly from Saigon and were brought to the States by Douglas Pike, hence them being included in the Douglas Pike Collection. The validity of the documents are not in question as far as any type or recreation coming from the historians who care for and amass these documents according to the Director of The Vietnam Center.
Editor’s Note: Links to the site are listed below as well as contact information for The Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech University. No links are provided to any site that lists the telephone number and/or address to the actual archive on purpose. Maxner informed me that several random people have called this morning questioning him on these documents. We do not, and should not, barrage his center asking for information. If further information is needed, email me and I’ll see what I can do. Thanks to Paul of Wizbang for the help concerning which questions to ask.
Update:
Rob at Say Anything has links to the actual documents mirrored on his website. One thing is for certain in this story. The documents are legit. The intelligence used to gather the information however might not be. That is where the focus should be.
Update:
There was a slight miscommunication with my earlier reporting only in the fact that the Texas Tech University Vietnam Archive has set up a contact page as well as a page directly relating to this news.
Steven Maxner has directed all inquiries to this site, part of The Vietnam Archive. Mr. Maxner wants all inquiries to be directed through the site.
On a side note, as a Texas Tech University alumn, I have visited The Vietnam Archive and have found this to be an excellent resource. It’s a proud day to be a Red Raider.
Update:
To my detractors who have either emailed me or disparaged me on their sites, I am currently trying to figure out the validity of the actual intelligence in the reports. As I’ve indicated, the documents are legit, but the intelligence right now is in question. I’ll keep posting in this spot as new information breaks.
Update:
I just talked with an FBI Agent in trying to determine what process either information is discarded or believed to be non-credible. I was told “All information that is vital will be consumed. There are different weights given to sources . . . . You can never discount it, but you must give it a proper substance to work upon.“
The mystery of whether or not these documents are comparable to the Vietnam Era has still not been solved, though I’m still digging.
Update:
I recieved an email from Steven Maxner, Archivist, Associate Director of The Vietnam Archive, who informed me that they have found “one of the actual captured Vietnamese documents from the CDEC Microfilm Collection.” Steve said he and his staff are still searching for the second one.
This furthers the story along based upon knowing that direct translations (partial assumption) dictated the already released documents found here. Maxner has informed me that they will get the documents up on the site as soon as they can. When they do, I will link directly to them.
Later on this evening, after I’ve had a chance to take a bit of a rest, I will try to dig further into this story and find out if the documents are either disinformation or credible evidence of a direct link between John Kerry and the Vietcong. Make no mistake about it though, the documents in Texas Tech University Vietnam Archive are legitimate, I am just not sure whether or not the intelligence is.
Other Coverage:
Wizbang – more
Backcountry Conservative
voices.in.my.head
The Jawa Report
Right on Red
Ace of Spades
Captain’s Quarters
Michelle Malkin who helps to connect the dots
Powerline
The Jawa Report linked with More Documents Reveal John Kerry-Viet Cong Links
Say Anything linked with More On Kerry's N. Vietnamese Alliance
Secure Liberty linked with Johm Kerry - Tool of Communists
Backcountry Conservative linked with Around the Blogroll
voices.in.my.head linked with Smoking Gun? Hanoi directed Kerry
Everything I Know Is Wrong linked with Viet Cong Directives to Kerry Led VVAW?
Tempus Fugit | TxFx.net linked with Kerry and the Viet Cong
JunkYardBlog linked with HANOI JOHN
Joefish's Freshwater Blog linked with Was Hanoi directing Kerry?
MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy linked with More on Hanoi John's VC Connections
Left Coast Conservative...................Ridiculous. Unthinkable. Unbelievable. Outrageous. linked with October suhwhat?
Diggers Realm linked with John Kerry Lied, My Fridge Died
Michelle Malkin linked with JOHN KERRY, COMMIE TOOL
ISOU linked with Update on Missing Explossives...
Diggers Realm linked with Breaking Investigation On Kerry Vietnam Anti-War Documents
ISOU linked with Now John Kerry was a Communist Propaganda Tool
Wizbang linked with Wizbang and The Bullpen on the Case
The Politicker linked with October Surprise From The Communists?
Say Anything linked with Kerry Supported By Commies?
RIGHT ON RED >> linked with Rutrow
The Jawa Report linked with Newly Uncovered Documents Link John Kerry to North Vietnamese/Vietcong
Blogs of War linked with Vet Claims Recovered Vietnam Documents Show Hanoi Directed Kerry
Backcountry Conservative linked with Report: N. Vietnam Directed VVAW
Panther6170 - 
Tom Killebrew - 
Emm Bayoumi - 
lyndsey -
If anyone want to look into the veracity of the SwiftVets digging into the Texas Tech files, its on realtime chat archives at Swiftvets.com. Monday, Sept. 13, Navy Chief decides to go take a look. Explains timing and background.
http://www2.swiftvets.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9071
By DoGooder
Comment by Do Gooder — Tuesday, October 26, 2004 @ 8:27 pm UTC
Gimmie a break! Are you kidding?!
Look, a group known to be highly antagonistic to Kerry claims to have “found” these documents – documents that appear to have such questionable origins and circuitous travel history?
Who si going to believe this stuff except for those who already dislike Kerry?
The neocons have been trying to bash Kerry for so long that everyone except for true believers are numbed by it, and don’t know who to believe any more.
The bottom line for most voters is going to be summed as the answer to two questions.
1) Is this country more united than it was in 2000
2) Is this country more fically sound than it was in 2000.
3) Is economic hope on the horizon if things continue as they are?
4) Who will keep me safest?
The first three questoins go to Kerry (unless you’re rich and/or in a coma)
The last is about even.
Seeya, Shrub!
Comment by charlemagne — Wednesday, October 27, 2004 @ 2:55 am UTC
According to: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41106
Kerry “Honeymooned” in Paris. He just “happened” to be there when the “Paris Peace Talks” were taking place. But as I was reading around this evening I came accross this article that indicated he spent his honeymoon somewhere else: Jamaica
Link Here [ed: cut because it was too long]
Now maybe this is relevant, maybe not. I could just hear him now, “I actually did honeymoon in Jamaica, before I honeymooned in Paris.”
Comment by hangingchad — Wednesday, October 27, 2004 @ 2:59 am UTC
Char, I find it interesting that your using a famous Frenchmans name…
Anyways… those most definately aren’t the most important things on peoples mind. The top four in order of collective importance, per many polss, is
1. Terrorism/National Security
2. Economy/Fiscal Health
3. Iraq
4. Healthcare
Bush easily has 1 and 3 in a majority of American minds, he’s about even on the Economy, and thanks to partisan sniping, no one understands the health plan he has created and thus they think John Kerry is good because he promises the moon.
Oh, BTW, that would be four questions, not two… and you might want to look at your punctuation.
Comment by Jordan — Wednesday, October 27, 2004 @ 3:47 am UTC
Charlemagne,
First off, the documents were found and if you read above, you would see they are real beyond hesitation.
Secondly, looking at your list I beg to differ on quite a few things.
1. About the same, but both parties can be equally blamed if the perception is that the U.S. is further divided.
2. Fiscally sounds in terms of the deficit, no, but that’s not the only indicator. Economic growth, Unemployment, GDP, etc. then yes.
3. There’s no reason why there shouldn’t be economic hope, unless you are running for office against an incumbent then you have to portray things as less than desireable.
4. Bush
From my count, I would say three of the four go to Bush with one wash. Contrary to your opinion, I’m not rich or in a coma. Simply look at the facts of the case, and decide for yourself, but you cannot cast away evidence that is clearly there and say the documents are fake. They are not fake. Pick apart the intelligence that I’ve laid in a different post, fine, but not the documents.
Comment by Chad Evans — Wednesday, October 27, 2004 @ 12:38 pm UTC
The Congressional Record makes plain enough Kerry’s own admissions which satisfy all the elements of the key offenses in view – namely, Treason, and criminal Violations of United States Code and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Kerry is so far beyond unfit to command. By his own admission, he is guilty of criminal acts, not act, but acts, plural.
Furthermore, he continues in the established pattern today, insisting that alleged US Militrary incompetence be laid at the feet of the President, eight or so layers up the chain of command. Not only is it ineffectual (as proven with Nixon and McGovern) but it is slanderous, and disloyal to the nation at large and to veterans in particular.
Kerry should really be tried for capital treason, and sentenced accordingly. This has gone so far beyond mere politics, at least for me, the veteran son of a veteran – who loathes this maggot Kerry with a purple passion.
I for one will accept Kerry’s apology when he follows it by public suicide.
MAJ Jeff White, USA
Comment by Jeff White — Wednesday, October 27, 2004 @ 10:29 pm UTC
Hey Jordan,
Right now it’s a wash on the war, with the real subtext for voters being the economy. Wanna bet? It’s Kerry by 5 points, unless the neocons steal it again.
Comment by charlemagne — Thursday, October 28, 2004 @ 4:53 am UTC
Chad,
First off, the documents were found and if you read above, you would see they are real beyond hesitation.
——
Riiiight, they’re real. Sure. I belive you. That’s why tis story is alrady in flush mode. The major pres won’t pick it up because the people who “found” the records are WAY tainted, They’re a bunch of nutcases looking for revenge on the American people for the way they were traeted (admittedly, horribly) when they came back from the disatrous Vietnam war.
Secondly, looking at your list I beg to differ on quite a few things.
1. About the same, but both parties can be equally blamed if the perception is that the U.S. is further divided.
——–
You GOTTA be kidding! Bush is the guy who said he was going to overcome the rancor and unite the country. If he was a leader he would have been able to obvercome partisan bickering. Bush loses on this one. PLease don’t try to slide that one by with an excuse.
2. Fiscally sounds in terms of the deficit, no, but that’s not the only indicator. Economic growth, Unemployment, GDP, etc. then yes.
– this country is on the verge of a currency devaluation, with a deficit tht may for all intents and purposes be unrecoverable. Further, Bush has done NOTHING to help AMericans adjust to strauctural (permanent) changes in our economy. He’s an economic Neanderthal, and that’s why my Republican friend on the Street (most of them) are voting Kerry.
———–
And the deficit drives all the rest, no? I’m a trained economist (for what that’s worth, not mush I guess
3. There’s no reason why there shouldn’t be economic hope, unless you are running for office against an incumbent then you have to portray things as less than desireable.
————
We’re screwed. I won’t get into details other than to say that we have lost most of our big time economic friends. They started to but Euros two years ago instead of $$$ as debt vehicles. Game over. Boy, are you and the rest of those who trusted Bush’ economic plan in for a surprise. Even Kerry may not be able to clean up this mess – so you will have some reason for gloee if Kerry wins because this mess left by Bush might do in a new president.
4. Bush
———-
We disagree. Idon’t even fel safe borrowing library books anymore. Are you kidding? This is a guy who let the assault weapons ban go under.
From my count, I would say three of the four go to Bush with one wash. Contrary to your opinion, I’m not rich or in a coma. Simply look at the facts of the case, and decide for yourself, but you cannot cast away evidence that is clearly there and say the documents are fake. They are not fake. Pick apart the intelligence that I’ve laid in a different post, fine, but not the documents.
————–
I looked at some of the ‘evidence’. It been “found” by people who are hysterical about hating Kerry. They are not neutral. That’s the problem. It’s the same problem that Rather had with “documents”.
That’s why the press won’t touch this one. Further, it’s such an outlandish story that it wouldn’t resonate even if it was true, which it isn’t. Frankly, I feel soirry for the whole Swift Baot bunch. They’re still hurting from Vietnam, god bless ‘em. We didn’t do right by those guys – they need compassion, but they sure shouldn’t be given any credence – not in their present state of mind.
Comment by charlemagne — Thursday, October 28, 2004 @ 5:06 am UTC
What garbage. Kerry is a traitor, as proven by his own testimony before the Senate in 1971. If you don’t agree, you must have missed those tapes/transcripts. It’s not a wash – it’s a whitewash. The guy’s tactics of smearring the Army in order to get at the President are unchanged since he tried to trash Nixon on behalf of his mentors Fulbright, McGovern, Muskie. I for one am tired of it.
Even if we stipulate that the Al Qaqaa things happened as Kerry says (which is patently false – Kerry is a liar) How is the President of the US responsible to guard an ammunition dump? I guarantee you President Kerry won’t see it that way – the A$$!
Russian special forces troops moved many of Saddam Hussein’s weapons and related goods out of Iraq and into Syria in the weeks before the March 2003 U.S. military operation, The Washington Times reported yesterday.
John A. Shaw, the deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security, said in an interview that he believes the Russian troops, working with Iraqi intelligence, “almost certainly†removed the high-explosive material that went missing from the Al-Qaqaa facility, south of Baghdad.
“The Russians brought in, just before the war got started, a whole series of military units,†Mr. Shaw said. “Their main job was to shred all evidence of any of the contractual arrangements they had with the Iraqis. The others were transportation units.â€
…”Whatever was not buried was put on lorries and sent to the Syrian border,†the defense official said.
Documents reviewed by the official included itineraries of military units involved in the truck shipments to Syria. The materials outlined in the documents included missile components, MiG jet parts, tank parts and chemicals used to make chemical weapons, the official said.
Kerry has acknowledged repeatedly that the war in Iraq was just and necessary. France and Russia subverted the United Nations, with the UN help, and helped Iraq break UN resolutions. Consensus with them would never have come while they were being bribed.
John Kerry’s assertion that Bush looked the other way as Al Qaqaa was emptied is about three ways discredited. This news, though other things similar have also come out, should destroy John Kerry’s belief in a global test. But he remains committed to his old mantra of only deploying US forces under UN auspices.
Now we know Russia was integral to the international fraud and bribery which stood between America and Saddam’s terrorist Iraq.
Next talking point Senator Kerry?
Comment by Major Jeff White — Thursday, October 28, 2004 @ 8:59 am UTC
So, I’m a “way” tanited one uh, saved your sorry a,, from being
a “real” commie, in a little 2 room flat , and staying there with
you fat mother in law, and going to “kerry” speeches in your
football stadium with “photo’s” of him on every corner.
So I’m tainted, were in the hell do you think the doc’s came
from, dumb a–,
There were “real” SOG people , out on the “trails with the
Russian, Chink, North Korean , North Viet advisors,”
and yes we did use good old, “astrolite” to “stun them” and
take the little “patatoes” back to talk to and unload their
“mail bags” , (sorry never saw you man “curry” out there
with his “magic hat”)
ITS REAL ALL RIGHT AND HE IS THE MOST UNREAL EVER
Comment by tax free killer 1968 — Friday, October 29, 2004 @ 10:41 am UTC