TERMS FOR PEACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1947, Page 5

TERMS FOR PEACE

VIETNAMESE MAY APPEAL TO UNO STATEMENT BY LEADER LONDON, February 9. Forced by what he describes as an “iron curtain of censorship” imposed by the French authorities in Saigon, Doon Campbell, Reuter’s correspondent in Indo-China, sent the following report of an interview with Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnam Prime Minister, by special courier to Reuter’s bureau in Singapore. Ho Chi Minh said that his government would appeal »to the United Nations for arbitration if France could not settle by peaceful means the present conflict which was affecting very seriously the economy of the country. National Unity Ho Chi Minh, asked on what terms the Vietnam Government was prepared to cease hostilities and resume negotiations with the French, said that Vietnam only wanted national unity for the Annamese-speaking States of Cochin-China, Annam, and Tongking, and independence. When theft object was obtained they were ready to cease hostilities and make peace. “The French statement that the Vietnam is the tool of the Japanese is a pure invention,” added Ho Chi Minh. The French say that the Vietnam is Communist, but it is composed of different political parties (Socialist, Democrat, Nationalist, Marxist), and non-party organisations (Catholic, Buddhist, Confucian, and Landlord). Ninety per cent, of its members are simply patriots fighting for independence. “Our programme is neither Communist nor even Socialist in colour. It is to produce enough so that every citizen has sufficient rice and clothes not. to die of cold and hunger. Last year we were able to avoid starvation and teach all citizens how to read and write. Last year we granted universal suffrage to all over 18, and the National Assembly adopted a democratic constitution. We have not gone as far in nationalisation as France and Britain. “We know the French are better armed than we and that whatever the final outcome war brings devastation and ruin to our country. Why then should we provoke war. Unity, independence, and peace—that is what we want,” Press Censorship “Sending a news message from Saigon oi* anywhere else in French IndoChina is almost like casting a bottle into the ocean and hoping and praying the right person will pick it up,” says Reuter’s correspondent, Doon Campbell. “A correspondent is obliged to pay in advance a prohibitive price of 25d a word without getting an assurance the message will ever be sent to London or New York. “A high official in Saigon said that messages ‘just wander off’ if the French authorities disapprove of them.” It is reported in London that Reuters has lodged a strong protest on censorship with the French Government.