VIETNAM WAR

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 16

VIETNAM WAR

‘lncreasing Ferocity’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, February 8. A “subterranean guerrilla war of increasing ferocity” is going on in South Vietnam, according to President Kennedy. The President told his press conference yesterday that last week there had been more than 500 killings, assassinations and bombings and the casualties were “high.” The President was commenting in reply to a question which had sought his opinion on “the right of the people to know” the extent of the battle in South Vietnam.

The question was asked in the light of reports from Saigon on Tuesday that Western correspondents had been barred from United States helicopter flights over areas of South Vietnam being attacked by Communist guerrilas. The President said that United States training groups in South Vietnam had increased as the Communist attacks had increased, and the United States was assisting in every way it properly could the people of South Vietnam ,who were showing the greatest courage under danger and . attempting to maintain their freedom. As to the people’s right to know, the President observed that this was an area where there was a good deal of danger and they did not want information of assistance to the enemy to get out. The matter would have to be worked out with the Government of South Vietnam, which bore the primary responsibility.