V. Cong Leader Says War Entering Crisis

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31564, 29 December 1967, Page 7

V. Cong Leader Says War Entering Crisis

».V Z. Press Association —Copyright) SAIGON, December 28. The chief of the Viet Gong’s political organisation had said that the Vietnamese war was entering “an extremely crucial period” in which the United States would seek “a turning point in the war,” the “New York Times” News Service reported.

The comment was made on December 19 by Mr Nguyen Huu Tho, the chairman of the National Liberation Front’s central committee.

Mr Tho, a former Saigon lawyer, discussed the war in a speech over “Liberation Radio,” the clandestine transmitter of the N.L.F. The text of the speech has just been made available.

“Our present position is . . . firmer than ever before,” said Mr Tho. “Our present strength is . . . greater than ever before. Our enemy has fallen into a completely stalemated and passive situation."

He said, however, that since the build-up of American troops and the start of bombing raids on the north, “we and the enemy have entered! an extremely crucial period. “Cruel Manoeuvres” -The United States imperialists have sent nearly : half a million United States; troops to the south, have sent; to the battlefield a hugei amount of modern war equip-, ment, and have resorted to extremely cruel war manoeuvres. “They plan to bring about a turning point in the war and thereby . . . achieve a decisive success in a short period of time.” Without saying exactly what the turning point of the war would be, Mr Tho said: “They (the United States) are considering new and adventurous military actions and . , are clamouring for an expansion of the war in Cambodia.

“They have taken extremely serious new escalation steps in their war of destruction against the north by staging continuous air raids against Hanoi, Haiphong and many other densely populated areas. . .

Although the Viet Cong had “gone through a period of very fierce challenges,” Mr Tho said, his troops had repelled the allies and won “great and comprehensive victories—militarily, politically and diplomatically."

His speech was made in commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the founding of the N.L.F.

Throughout the speech he emphasised the build-up of American power in Vietnam and the Viet Cong’s “victorious” efforts to thwart that power. The Viet Cong's Liberation Press Agency has issued a “Hands off Laos” warning to both Thailand and the United ' States.