Viet Cong Kidnap Vietnam Officer

Press, Volume C, Issue 29635, 4 October 1961, Page 13

Viet Cong Kidnap Vietnam Officer

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) SAIGON, October 3. Communist rebels kidnapped the chief of the South Vietnamese mission in charge of liaison with the International Control Commission on Sunday, the Saigon Government said today.

The statement said that Colonel Hoang Thuy Nam, who directs the nation’s relations with the three-nation commission, was taken prisoner while spending his usual week-end with his family on his farm in Bien Hoa Province, just northeast of Saigon, the Associated Press reported. The commission supervises the crumbling truce between Communist North Vietnam and pro-Westerri South Vietnam, established by the Geneva agreement seven years ago.

The Government had approached the International Control Commission and asked if it could do anything and was also considering a military operation tn the kidnap area, authoritative sources said. There had been no mention of ransom and it was “out of the

question” for the Government to consider paying ransom.

The Associated Press said that at the same time the Government announced that Government forces killed 130 Viet Cong and captured 30 others in fighting throughout the country last week. The Government said three rebel camps were destroyed and a number of arms captured. Government losses for the week were officially given as three dead and 29 wounded—which would be highly unusual Reliable sources say Government losses have in fact been running about 10 to 90 per cent below those of the rebels. “Real War"

The United States State Department said in Washington yesterday that a real war was being fought in South Vietnam. The Communists were conducting a form of aggression. The official spokesman, Mr Joseph Reap, gave this assessment in reply to requests for comment on a call by the President of South Vietnam. Mr Ngo Dinh Diem, for a strengthening of his country’s armed forces to meet a reel war against Communist infiltrators.

“We agree that it is a real war,” Mr Reap said. “Communist actions against Vietnam have always been, in our view, a form of aggression.

"The increasing strength of the Viet Cong is well known The objective of the Viet Cong to take over South Vietnam has always been known.

“Recent events have not altered the determination of this Government to support the freedom and independence of the legitimate Government of Vietnam.” In answer to questions. Mr Reap said the United States was “pressing ahead with urgent measures to increase the ability ot the Vietnamese soldier to defend his country"

Obviously the United States could not talk about the nature of assistance measures for South Vietnam. Revision of United States aid to South Vietnam had been going on ■ for months and was continuing The United States roving ambassador, Mr Averill Harriman, said today that the situation in South Vietnam was extremely dangerous. Communist guerrilla bands operating in South Vietnam bad become more organised “ “■