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Vietnamization was a policy of the U.S. government, announced by President Richard Nixon in 1969, aimed at ending American involvement in the Vietnam War through a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops while transferring the burden of fighting to the South Vietnamese army. This strategy involved providing South Vietnam with advanced weaponry and training to enable them to assume responsibility for ground combat operations.12

While Vietnamization proceeded, peace negotiations in Paris remained stalled. The U.S. sought a mutual withdrawal of forces, but North Vietnam insisted on an unconditional U.S. withdrawal and the replacement of the South Vietnamese government. Despite Nixon's efforts, including military actions in Cambodia and intensified bombing campaigns, a comprehensive peace agreement was not reached until January 1973, leading to the withdrawal of U.S. forces.12

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