Download PDF of this full issue: v3n10.pdf (8.2 MB)

Indochina War Intensifies: US Bombing Cambodia - Saigon Begins New Offensive

By VVAW

The past year has seen major victories won by the peoples of Indochina in their struggle against U.S. imperialism for liberation and self-determination. The Jan. 27th Peace accords were signed only because the U.S. was forced to do so by the successful political and military struggle waged by the Indochinese. However, we cannot allow ourselves to believe that the war is over. All indications today point to the fact that the situation in Indochina has become very explosive and may result in a major escalation of U.S. aggression. Nixon still has the option of recommitting the full might of the U.S. military to the war and will undoubtedly do so if he feels he can get away with it.

In South Vietnam, the military situation has become increasingly tense in the past month, with major ground action occuring throughout the country. Thieu's forces have been bombing population centers under PRG control with incredible ferocity and continue trying to grab more land: attempting to seize or destroy areas under PRG control in direct violation of the cease fire agreements. In Binh Dinh Prov. Alone, over 59 villages were completely destroyed since January. On Nov. 7th, PRG representative Ly VanSau said that "in the face of the increasingly flagrant violations of the ceasefire by the U.S.-Saigon administration, the repeated bombings deep in the areas that were already under PRG jurisdiction long before the Paris Accords, the forces of the Liberation Army cannot sit by with their arms crossed... the order has been given to retaliate against each illegal armed attack of the enemy." The recent heavy fighting near Dak Song, Bu Prang and Bu Bong are a clear indication of this. Even as the fighting rages, the whole world watches in revulsion at the treatment of the more than 200,000 political prisoners held in Thieu's prisons. The torture, execution and criminal treatment of these prisoners is totally the responsibility of the U.S. govt. for without Washington's support, Thieu and his prisons would certainly not exist.

Cambodia, perhaps most of all, threatens to bring in the full weight of the Nixon war machine. At present, the Lon Nol regime in Phnom Penh finds its neck in a rapidly tightening noose. Liberation forces led by the Royal government of National Union of Cambodia (GRUNC) and Prince Sihanouk now control over 90% of the land and 80% of the population. In the past 6 months alone, some 200,000 refugees have left the cities controlled by Lon Nol for the liberated zones. As nearly 60 nations now officially recognize GRUNC as opposed to Lon Nol, it is likely that the UN may oust the Phnom Penh regime and seat GRUNC. Mr. Thiounn Mumm, GRUNC Minister of Economics and Finance, recently stated that there would be "no compromise with the traitors of the Lon Nol regime." As much as Nixon would like to save the U.S. position with a "neutral third force," Mr. Mumm said that GRUNC is the "sole representative of the Cambodian people; there will never be a third way. All Cambodians are taking up arms to fight for final victory."

Prince Sihanouk has repeatedly stated that the liberation forces will attack Phnom Penh in December as the rainy season ends and troop movements are possible. Realizing that this will undoubtedly destroy the Lon Nol regime, the U.S. must either reintroduce massive strategic air power, including B-52 carpet bombings, or get out of Cambodia for good. The response of the U.S. has been to concentrate its forces in Cambodia by strengthening the U.S. air bases in Thailand and keeping the 7th Fleet along the Cambodian coast of. Also, despite the "bombing halt" of August 15th, the U.S. is continuing to bomb Cambodia with upwards of 20,000 tons of bombs a day. Daily reconnaissance and strafing flights are flow by all types of U.S. aircraft except B-52s, with U.S., Thai, and Saigon pilots. The whole world saw the proof of this continued U.S. bombing with the massive bombing of Kompong Chan on Sept. 16th. A repeat of the Christmas '72 bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong may be what Nixon is planning for Cambodia this December!

In the face of the very serious situation in Indochina, the responsibilities of the American people are greatly increased. We must act now! We cannot permit the U.S. to continue to maintain the criminal Lon Nol regime by reintroducing full scale bombing of the planned December campaign of the liberations forces. Similarly, we cannot allow the U.S. ? Saigon regime of Pres. Thieu to illegally hold the 200,000 political prisoners in Saigon jails or destroy the cease-fire agreements by illegal military operations against the PRG. The direct action of our united efforts to force the U.S. to end all aid to the Thieu and Lon Nol regimes and to fully live up to the Jan. 27th peace agreements will have an effect on Nixon!

Implement the Peace Treaty!
End all aid to Thieu and Lon Nol!
Stop the bombing of Cambodia!