Americans in France - Vietnam Leaflet

The following is an abridged version of a leaflet distributed among American tourists in France by the Comité Vietnam National. " We are glad that you have come from the United States to visit our country. We hope that your stay will provide an opportunity for you to get to know the French people better, A good start might be to explain to you the meaning of certain signs of hostility that you may encounter and that you might be misled to interpret as "anti-Americanism", For instance, you are probably aware that Mr. Humphrey's trip here last April brought thousands of angry demonstrators in the streets of Paris and that an American flag was burned publicly on that occasion, Rather than explain the real significance of such gestures, the American press chose to attribute them, quite falsely, to French nationalism, When Frenchmen shout "U.S. Assassin", they are truly angry, but their anger is directed not against the American people, not against the valid ideals cherished by the American people, but against the American Government. The American people themselves are victimized and deceived by an intensive propaganda emanating from the U.S, Government and slavishly repeated by a press whose constant boasts of how "free" it is do not make it any less servile, We heard the same arguments about "defense of the free world" used to justify French colonial wars in Indochina and Algeria, Nevertheless, there were at that time courageous people in our country who spoke out to bring a halt to the murderous actions of their government. We who felt obliged then to oppose our own government for the real good of our own people and the people of the world know that today hundreds of thousands of Americans are courageously condemning the criminal war of the Johnson Administration, This was clearly shown in the April 15 demonstrations in New York and San Francisco, Perhaps you are one of those principled citizens who have had the courage to speak out for justice and peace. If so, we salute you warmly and offer our friendship and encouragement in your difficult task, If, however, you are still confused about the war in Vietnam, here are a few facts to consider. The enormously powerful military machine of your country is directed night and day toward the destruction of the population and the productive capacity of a country which cannot remotely be considered a threat to the security of the United States. Yet despite the overwhelming superiority of the American military machine, the Vietnamese people are resisting with ever greater determination. Optimistic appraisals by your military leaders are repeatedly denied by events and followed up by more calls for re-enforcements. How is it that this great military power is brought to a standstill in a smaller, poorer country? Let us share our experience. Despite the military aid that your leaders accorded in the past to France, the wars she waged in Vietnam and in Algeria were lost - because it is impossible to defeat an entire people in arms, fighting for their independence on their own soil. Americans, we believe that you would not willingly choose for your country the role of a detested and repressive global policeman, allied with destruction, famine and disease against the aspirations of peoples for independence and progress. Your government is leading you and the world on a disastrous course, We who have opposed our own government's policy know that your task is difficult, but we know that your responsibility and opportunity is great to serve the future of all humanity by forcing an end to the atrocious war in Vietnam. In that task, you can count on our whole-hearted support and solidarity."