P.o.w.s describe treatment

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33154, 19 February 1973, Page 13

P.o.w.s describe treatment

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) CLARK AIR BASE

(Philippines), Feb. 17. American prisoners released by the Viet Cong have said that they were kept chained in cages in dense jungle along the border between South Vietnam and Cambodia.

One man said that he had been caged for months without contact with other American prisoners or anyone who spoke English.

] The reports have come through sources close to the base hospital, from P.O.W.s I who underwent medical 'check-ups and debriefing at the centre for returning prisoners.

In all, 27 Americans have [■been released by the Viet J Cong in South Vietnam,

according to the hospital sources, many were bitter about their treatment by the Viet Cong.

The 116 Americans so far] released by North Vietnam] have said nothing at all publicly about their captivity! and nothing has emerged of any private reports they may! have given to the authorities.! United States Government policy is to prevent any] statements by returning ’ prisoners which might delay the relase of the other 450 or so Americans still held by; the Communists.

But according to the; sources, some of the; prisoners released by the I Viet Cong, mainly’ civilians; and enlisted men, had been, unable to contain their feel-1 ings and had spoken out; against their treatment, I Some men said that they! had been tortured by the > Viet Cong. One man said he had been made to stand in a deep antfilled hole as punishment and had received no treatment for I

the bites he received which ! became infected. Some of the prisoners also ! said they were threatened with execution if they could not keep up with the whole group when on the march. Colonel Al Davis, director of “operation homecoming” ; which is looking after the i returning prisoners, said that on the whole everyone had ;been pleased at the condition of all the prisoners repatriated so far. Asked about the contrasting appearance on arrival ; last Monday between prisoners from North Vietnam, who appeared alert and disciplined, and the shambling, dazed-looking men from the south, he explained that the former prisoners of ;the Viet Cong had been i without sleep for a long period. They had also included [civilians, who could not be expected to react in the same wav as military men. and all had been held in small groups unable to organise

ij themselves like the men capItured in the north. )! Hospital sources have said Ijthat some of the pilots I [brought down over North 3] Vietnam would not return to [active flying duty because r[lack of some essential vita- ’ mins had affected their eye--3 sight, probably irreversibly, t The source said there had 1; been a surprising lack of i dental problems, although -[one man in Viet Cong captivity had been forced to -[have an abcessed tooth re--1 moved with a sharp stone. i Another batch of 20 - American prisoners of war 1 are due to be released in • Hanoi and flown to Clark Air i: Base tomorrow. 1! They are being released f ahead of schedule. North i Vietnam has given no ; official reason for the early release but there have been 1' indications that it was a s good-will gesture associated 3! with the visit to Hanoi 1 earlier this week of the I Presidential aide, Dr Henry 3; Kissinger.