Civil War Threat Seems To Ease

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31032, 12 April 1966, Page 15

Civil War Threat Seems To Ease

(S'.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright> SAIGON, April 11. A threat of civil war appeared to have been lifted in the northern military centre of Da Nang today after a week of tension. Scores of roadblocks put up by rebellious local troops were dismantled todav.

They were hastily thrown up last Monday when the military junta in Saigon sent 1500 Marines to Da Nang in an unfulfilled bid to subdue political opposition by force.

Da Nang and other cities in the north have been major centres of anti-government demonstrations over the last month, demanding a return to civil rule. First easing of the situation came last night when 600 of the Vietnamese Marines were pulled out to take part in a military operation farther south along the Central Vietnamese coastline.

Then, last night and today, local soldiers who had joined the anti-government move-

ment went back to their units. No announcement was made about when the other Marines despatched by Saigon would leave Da Nang. DEFENSIVE MOVES During their stay here the Marines have not budged I from the United States air base outside town, but their presence provoked a rash of of defensive measures in the city. There was no immediate indication of how the brighter outlook here would affect the situation in Saigon, where Buddhist leaders yesterday warned of a bloody civil war ahead if the military government did not step down. The Buddhist church, claiming that its campaign for an elected civilian government had been betrayed by the junta, issued a declaration of no confidence in the government of Air Vice-Mar-shal Nguyen Cao Ky.

Meanwhile. American civilians evacuated from Da Nang on Saturday began returning to the city today. On the Vietnamese side, a group of 120 armed students from the northern university city of Hue began returning home after coming to help defend Da Nang against any attack from Saigon. Lieutenant-General Ton That Dinh, the newly appointed commander of the northern military zone with headquarters in Da Nang, has had an intensive round of talks with opposition readers since officially assuming command yesterday. However, in spite of the easing of tension, there was no official announcement of any formal agreement between General Dinh and the Saigon Government, on the one hand, and the opposition, headed by the Da Nang mayor. Dr. Nguyen Van Man. on the other.