B.b.c. Reporter Returns From North Vietnam

eDe .. : Viewers. of BBG Television's "24 Hours" programme on 28th November saw a pene able and savage attack on the American war as it effects North Yietgan ~ An it came from one of the programmes most respected correspondents. epee Todd had just returned from a 57 day visit to North Vietnam, where he was allowed total freedom of movement and activity (except, of course, concerning view= ing military activities). Millions of viewers heard him make three forceful, and very bitter, attacks on the Americans. Firstly, about the hombing. The Americans, he thought, had tried at ee hit strategic targets; but soon after they had begun bombing it was clear tha these attacks were having little effect. Ever since, Todd argued, from the areas he had visited of his own choosing, the Americans had conducted terror— ist bombing (Todd's words). Within a fifty mile radius on all the roads out of Hanoi, and as far as Haiphong on that road, there was not a stone building left standing. He believed - no, ha was absolutely convinced - that the major objective of American bombing was to kill and injure civilians. He spoke of American 'strafing' raids from low-flying aircraft after a major raid had finished. The second issue was the treatment of American prisoners. He spoke freely to two of them. As they entered, they bowed low to him, as one sees in the photos released by journalists to suggest that the airmen had been brainwashed by the North Vietnamese. They assured him that they were well looked after. Todd was then taken to see some other prisoners. Guards opened the doors of their cells - and the men in them stood to attention. That was all. No bows. But as soon as Todd stepped forward from the darkness, as soon as they saw a foreign reporter, the prisoners bowed low. Todd said he could come to only one conclusion; that American airmen are taught in US training that, if captured, they mist bow low whenever they see a camera or a reporter. It is American deception and propoganda at its most cynical. Finally, he discussed negotiationse Todd had had long talks with Pham Van Dong. From the beginning of the bombing, Todd argued, the North Vietnamese position had been consistent and reasonable — unconditional and total cessation of the bombing, and an acceptance by the Americans that any negotiations would end with American withdrawal. During that time, he said, Washington had put forward wildly changing phoney proposals which had changed 25 times. He considered the Hanoi position a fair ones the American efforts he thought to be mere hoaxes. The climax to the television discussion was an effective one. Michelmore pointed out that this second condition - ultimate American withdrawal — was one the Americans might think unreasonable. Todd's reply was simple; "Yes, but to whom does Vietnam belong, the Americans or the Vietnamese?" The interview, seen by millions, was of great impcrtance in educating people about just what is happening in Vietnam. Only the remarkable evidence about bowing was new. But millions of viewers saw a hitherto uncommitted BBC reporter return from Vietnam and say just the things that the anti-war movement has been saying for a long time.