Western press reporting which, like the Economist, calls Tet "an almost total fiasco'.
What about Tet this year, then, we asked? Why didn't the NLF come out in full strength push the Americans into the Gulf Tonking? Nguyen Vanh Hieu's answer was that the NLF is not so foolish as the Americans seem to expect. The front knew that US forces had been put on 'red alert' the whole of Southeast Asia knew it. Was it likely, then, with that reontmerican orde geared up for battle, confrontation? How much more effective to let the Americans sit scratching their asses, rewing up their B52's, wondering where and when the inevitable assault would be launched.
To Nguyen, Tet '68 equalled Dien Bien Phu '54: for Tet had brought about the complete collapse of US military aims. A decision had already been gained; and the NLF must now concentrate, we were told, on avoiding major battles, and enter instead on a phase of military activity designed to press the overall victory home. The strategy is based partly on propaganda, partly rocket attacks on essential US installations. With the effect of this, the Dwarf's man could easily agree: he had spent a lot of time in South Vietnam and was on the spot several times when the VC put rockets in. The accuracy of these rockets is extremely high, hitting target, he says, nine times out of ten'. *Sheer luck', say the American, whenever they are shown proof of the VC's military skill.
The discussion with Nguyen swung around to what the Economist terms the degeneration of the war "into a grisly struggle of underground skulduggery, with no holds barred. For once, the Economist has puts its finger right on the SA embarked on a spot campaign seni a very black spot. Four years ago the whose details need spelling out.
In 1965, from the base in Vunh Tau, the CIA began work with *Revolutionary Development Councils', teams of 59 men who were to go into the villages and spread the gospel, wear black pyjamas, build latrines and hand out the inevitable gum. Attached to each team were three men, called collectively, 'Armed Propaganda'. These men were killers. Just that. Their job was to smell the breeze, find VC sympathisers in the villages, and kill them. After Tet '68 the CIA got a bit depressed about the "hearts minds Pacification Programme and decided that sterner action was needed. So 'Armed Propaganda' got the better Revolutionar Davel mont
Vietnamese Bernadette Devlin
seen here winning the war The professor WaS notably cagey about replying to the American charge that the NLF is itself killing large numbers of civilians by directing rockets into heavily populated areas. Our man was not satisfied with Nguyen's reluctant explanation that essential military and propaganda exercises required this devastation, but Nguyen's obvious diffidence deterred him from pressing the subject.
He was more forthright on the subject of the mass graves in which the NLF has been widely publicised as having buried thousands of 'their victims; notably in Hue at Tet. He reminded our reporter that Hue was subject to massive shelling attacks from American 175mm guns which caused enormous loss of civilian life. Again it needed to be said that the NLF in Hue was fighting for its life and that to bury the corpses at all was a mark of care and civilisation which the Americans have consistently neglected by leaving the human debris of their destructive activity scattered all over Vietnam.
Lastly, and with obvious relish, Nguyen talked about the Americans' claim that recent months have seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of ralliers (Vietcong who have gone over to the American side). Our reporter points out that to ask American Intelligence for the whereabouts of these 'ralliers' is to be met with a reply which goes something like, "Well, I don't know, Joe, they could be anywhere now. After all, they're free men in a free country. Maybe they're farmers or something The fact is, that having "rallied"; large numbers of "ralliers thereupon vanish. The NLF emissary knows where these men are: they're back fighting with the NLF having deposited a large amount of useless and highly misleading copy in the files of American Intelligence.
The most striking impression with which our reporter left the NLF mission in Phoom Penh was of a highly organised and efficient body (but we knew that already) whose primary aim was to get the message through to the people of the US that their armies had lost the war in Vietnam.
It ic tha NIC MAY DAY, FESTIVAL: On Mayday, a Thursday, it is hoped that as many workers as possible will leave their work and join the May Day Festival in Victoria Park, Bethnal Green Music, dancing, games and plays have already been arranged, and there will be a maypole and refreshments. There will be procession starting from Tower Hill at 11.30 towards Victoria Park. Anybody who would like to help with food, entertainment, etc. contact John Young at 9 Union Square, London N1.
SUNDAY MAY 4: EXPEL THE GREEK JUNTA FROM THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE! Mass meeting followed by March. 3pm, Lyceum Ballroom (junction of Strand and Aldwych) Melina Mercouri will lead the march to the Greek Embassy. Assemble outside Lyceum Ballroom 5.30pm. Organised by the Greek Committee against Dictatorship 60 Tottenham Court Road, London W1.
months. 1 enclose p.o./cheque for £1/£2.
Name Address copy.
Name Address The BLACK DWARF, 7 Carlisle Street, London W1A 4PZ Telephone: 01-734 4827.
Trade terms on application. docks, among other places. Back the dockers who are opposed to Wilson's blatant support of the Nigerian government. COME TO TILBUR ON MAY 4. All details from the ad hoc 4 May Biafra Action Committee. 13 Goodwin St. London N4. tel: 272 5524 SAI MAY 10, llam - 4pm: HASLEMERE CONVENTION FOLLOW-UP. Holborn Assembly Rooms, Johns Mews, off Theobalds Road, Holborn.
MAY 18: Mass rally Trafalgar Square at 1pm: EQUAL PAY NOW FOR WOMEN CAMPAIGN, Organised by National Joint Action Campaign for Women's Equal Rights, 76 Rainham Road, Rainham, Essex, RM14 7RL Also, attend meeting at House of Commons in Room 14 on May 1 at 7.30pm and ask you MPs what they are prepared to do in 1969 on the question of equal pay for work of equal value SAT MAY 31: ACCORD (Action Campaign to outlaw Raciel Discrimination) International Ball. Roundhouse, 7-12pm. Tickets 25/- from Roundhouse Box office or from CCCR, Euston Road, NW1. Artists: John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Paco Pena, Soft Machine.
Please send me the BLACK DWARF for the next 6/12 I have a friend who would be interested in receiving a sample