Hanoi Bombing

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31101, 2 July 1966, Page 14

Hanoi Bombing

Sir,—In the June “Landfall,” the editor, Mr Brasch, comments on “the New Zealand government, hearing no evil and seeing no evil” on Vietnam. This perfectly classifies the Government’s statement on the Hanoi-Haiphong bombing. Whether or not American attempts to avoid bombing civilians are sincere, there is plenty of evidence that many civilians are being killed or injured. Quite apart from such humanitarian considerations, I have never seen any refutation of the argument that the main effect of bombing North Vietman has been to unite the North Vietnamese people behind their Government and intensify their desire to fight Americans. U Thant’s repeated statement that “cessation of the bombing of North Vietnam ... alone can create conditions conducive to the holding of a conference” thus deserves to be heeded. — Yours, etc., MARK D. SADLER. July 1, 1966. Sir,—Does it matter whether Mr Holyoake knew about the American intention to bomb the oil dumps in North Vietnam? It was no secret On June 19 the Washington correspondent of “The Times,” London, reported the decision and the military reasons. The official estimate is that North Vietnam overtly intervened in the war last year with 4000 military lorries. Of these, 3000 have been destroyed, but aid from Communist countries has raised the total to 10,000. Thus, to

protect troops bearing the brunt of the battle (New Zealanders and Australians included) the decision to bomb the oil dumps was taken.— Yours, etc., HAWK. July 1, 1966.