The Special Forces Association leadership urges all of its members to set
aside all individual petty differences and jealousies and work together in
bringing to an end the investigation into the gross injustice perpetuated by
CNN, and Time Magazine’s, false charges in their “Valley of Death”
presentation on the program Newsstand, and published in Time Magazine.

        The Special Forces Association entered into this investigation with two
purposes in mind:
        1.  Exonerate all Tailwind participants from charges that could have labeled
them as war criminals, and to reaffirm the honors they earned in combat on
“Operation Tailwind”.
        2.  To restore the image of “America’s Best, The Green Berets”.

        We have prevailed, and the credit goes to everyone involved.

        We still have work to do. The objective has been overrun, and now is the time
to consolidate our forces.  We still need a concerted effort by all.

        Lastly, there is no rift between the Special Forces Association, and the
Special Operations Association.  To the sponsors of this rumor, you are wrong.
If anything, this ongoing battle with CNN has brought us closer together, as
only a good fight can.

Jake Jacobson                           Jimmy Dean
President                                       Secretary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where does the SOA/SFA go following the granting of all initial demands?
 

        Support administratively, and lend our combined voice to assist any and all
"Tailwind" participants should they elect to file a libel law suit as a result
of personally being maligned by the CNN Operation "Tailwind" airing, and the
subsequent news article by TIME Magazine,although a "donation" to the two (2)
Associations various charities as a gift with "no strings attached" would
reflect a "gesture of good faith" on behalf of the providing entity and can be
accepted.  (FYI, there have been preliminary discussions with CNN to broadcast
a documentary worldwide reflecting the true story of Special Operations forces
operating in SEA produced independently by an outside production company. No
decisions have been made as yet).
 by providing any and all documents available; background information;
assistance in locating eyewitnesses and garnering support from other veterans
organizations.
 

        Support administratively action by any other SOA/SFA member, other than an
Operation "Tailwind" participant should they elect to file a libel law suit
seeking satisfaction as a result of perceived damages as it relates to the
Operation "Tailwind" airing on CNN, and the related TIME Magazine news article
by providing documents; background information; assistance in locating
eyewitnesses and garnering support from other veterans organizations..
 
        In no instance will the SOA/SFA agree to be a "party" participant in any
legal proceedings.
 
        The SOA/SFA retains the right to initiate separate legal proceedings against
CNN or TIME Magazine at any time if either does not fully comply with the
initial demands as provided in the Albuquerque, N.M. Press Conference on 26
June l998.
 
        In that same regard, the SOA/SFA will not sign any document (s) that would
provide any relief or releases whatsoever to CNN or TIME Magazine  regarding
Operation "Tailwind" and subsequent articles written supporting the airing by
TIME Magazine.  The SOA/SFA fully recognizes that it cannot act in
contravention of any individual members rights to seek satisfaction for
damages real or perceived through the U.S. legal court system.
 
        The SOA/SFA will not accept any monetary proffered settlement by CNN, TIME
Magazine or Time Warner Corporation without the approval of the respective
organizations Board of Officers and Directors,although a "donation" to the two
(2) Associations various charities as a gift with "no strings attached" would
reflect a "gesture of good faith" on behalf of the providing entity and can be
accepted.  (FYI, there have been preliminary discussions with CNN to broadcast
a documentary worldwide reflecting the true story of Special Operations forces
operating in SEA produced independently by an outside production company. No
decisions have been made as yet)
 

        Additionally, there have been some indications that CNN may be willing to
provide monetary donations earmarked specifically to each organization's
existing charities - e.g., The Special Operations George C. Morton Memorial
Scholarship Fund, the Special Operations Memorial Foundation Fund and the
Special Forces Scholarship Fund and/or Special Forces Memorial Building Fund.

        In summary, we the SOA/SFA stand by to support the participants of Operation
"Tailwind".  Secondly, we will support all others in an administrative
capacity, i.e., the various web sites, E-Mail, FAX, and Telephone.  This will
take place after all initial demands have been met.  The SOA/SFA will not join
in any specific individual or "class action suit".