Download PDF of this full issue: v23n1.pdf (6.8 MB)

Editorial: Recognize Vietnam Now

By VVAW

Vietnam Veterans Against the War has existed for twenty-six years. For most of us, Vietnam has been the center piece of our lives. Our experiences in the war have defined us.

Seventeen years ago that war ended. The U.S. stopped dropping bombs and firing bullets at the Vietnamese. But the war is still killing us.

We have seen our fellow veterans kill themselves in twice the numbers killed during the war. Farmers are maimed and killed by unexploded ordinance in Vietnam. 300,000 Vietnamese are still missing in action. Children are still being born with birth defects caused by the huge amounts of poison (Agents Orange, etc.) which will remain in the soil of Vietnam for decades. In some provinces the rate of birth defects has reached thirty percent.

Fanatics and unrepentant war criminals from Nixon and Kissinger to George Bush still encourage the enforcement of a boycott against Vietnam. The war may be a deadly memory for us, but it's a deadly reality for them.

The U.S. recognizes Iran, Libya, South Africa, Syria, Serbia,etc. These are all the countries not liked by the government.

The U.S. has failed to boycott the savagely un-democratic government of China after the Tien-a-mien square massacres. Did we boycott El Salvador after the government there murdered bishops and nuns? Did our self-righteous public officials punish Zaire after killing school children? Did they cut off medical supplies and trade with Pakistan, Turkey, and Burma after exposures of astronomical drug dealing?

Our 'public servants' and the rich who own them can turn a blind eye to the most despicable, barbaric countries on earth, but balk at even recognizing Vietnam. The Vietnamese taught the world a lesson in self-defense. They paid a great cost to achieve self-determination. Their patriots wished to make choices concerning Communism and Capitalism based on Vietnamese opinions, not the prattle of a foreign puppet. This is why the rich are punishing them.

Every means of propaganda has been used to keep the public here confused or taken in by the huxterism of the POW-MIA side-shows. When confronted with the facts, more people here will believe in visits by Space Aliens than living US POWs in Vietnam. This quest has degenerated from fake photos to shameful demands for remains. AS if bones, nor part of a jungle or under farmland, have a mysterious ability to heal the deep wounds left by loved ones butchered in a senseless war.

We must demand an end to this singular persecution of Vietnam. We must not allow the specter of ancient wrongs to obscure the very pressing needs of all Veterans of the Vietnam War.

That black rag still flies over our public buildings. It still represents a diseased campaign against Vietnam by it defeated conquerors. It must be replaced by reminders of the homeless, the jobless, the sick, dying, horrified survivors of that war, whatever their skin color or nationality.

We must recognize Vietnam and end the embargo now. We must demand payment of the reparations promised to Vietnam by treaty. We must continue to force the rich to pay the full price of their war, at home and overseas.