Buddhists Demand Capitulation

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 17

Buddhists Demand Capitulation

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SAIGON, April 6. His voice was soft but his eyes were hard and he made it plain that the Buddhists would accept nothing less than a complete Government capitulation, United Press International reported. Thich Thien Minh, a handsome Buddhist monk with a shaven head, is suave, intelligent, gracious. He also has the ability to excite young people to a fever pitch with a few well-chosen words. As youth commissioner of the Buddhist National Institute, Minh holds vast powers over Buddhist students who in the past have toppled six Saigon governments and who have been demonstrating in Vietnam’s major cities against

the present regime of Air Vice-Marshal Nguyen Cao Ky In an interview in Saigon he bitterly criticised the Government for using clubs and tear gas to smash student demonstrations. “The police and soldiers betrayed the interest of the youth,” Minh said. “It is no different from the actions of the former President, Ngo Dinh Diem, because those who are struggling now are not struggling for their own interest but for the national interest.” Diem, a Roman Catholic, was overthrown by a Buddhist uprising in November. 1963, after a series of bloody street demonstrations. Minh said that the only way for the Government to stop the demonstrations was to agree to Buddhist demands for an elected National Assembly, a civilian government in the immediate future. “The Buddhist leaders are very moderate,” he said, “and

the struggle of the people is also reasonable. “If the generals promise to realise the aspirations of the people, the trouble will be solved.” Minh said that the Buddhists were not trying to overthrow the Government, but wanted the generals to step down and hand the reins of leadership to civilians elected by the people. He criticised General Nguyen Van Thieu, the chief of state, as “not a good man” and Premier Ky as a man who is “relatively clean, but he is too young and is not really worth the position.” “Tough measures are useless.” Minh said. “The Government should promise to change and then the public will automatically stop the demonstrations.” Minh said that Premier Ky tried to get him to fly to Hue and “calm the people down” but he refused. He said that it was the Prime Minister’s move to satisfy the “people's demands” and then he would calm the people down if they did not calm down of their own accord.

“But I have lost all faith in the generals.” he said. He said Buddhist leaders sent the Prime Minister a cable advising him to return to Saigon and “solve the problem softly" because the use of force would do no good. Minh also denied that the Buddhists were anti-Ameri-can. “Buddhists are always grateful to the Americans." he said. They only protest against the policy in Vietnam of making this country lose its national sovereignty. “During the demonstrations the appearance of American military policemen is an insult. They have no reason for being there, especially in helping Vietnamese police crush the demonstrators. “This only makes the people misunderstand the Americans," said Minh.