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derivative filename/jpeg
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363-04881A.pdf
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Digital Object Identifier
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363-04881A
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Title
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New Alarums on Viet's Infernal Triangle
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Description
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Article published in the New York Herald Tribune about the Buddhist hierarchy, page unknown
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AI Usage Disclosure
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Draft transcripts were automatically generated via Google Document AI and are currently under review. Please report significant errors to Archives & Special Collections at archives@unl.edu.
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Transcript
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Sunday, January 24, 1965
New York Herald Tribune
New Alarums on Viet's Infernal Triangle
By Beverly Deepe
A Special Correspondent
SAIGON.
South Viet Nam's Buddhist hierarchy has changed
its tactics in its political warfare against the govern-
ment of Premier Tran Van Huong. Instead of direct-
ing sporadic guerrilla-type actions, it has shifted to
full-scale battle.
Demonstrations and rioting in Saigon, Hue and
other cities have hardened the deadlock existing
between the American-supported Premier and the
Buddhist leaders-with the U. S. policy-makers caught
in the middle.
The question is whether the Premier will crack
down on the Buddhist monks who are agitating to
overthrow his government, or whether the Buddhist
leadership will foment so much confusion and decay
that the 63-year-old Premier will be forced to step
down.
At least part of that decision must be made in
Washington. But most of the decision would be made
by the South Vietnamese armed forces, of which
Lt. Gen. Nguyen Khanh, Mr. Huong's predecessor
as Premier, is commander in chief.
To implement a crackdown on the agitating
Buddhist leadership, the Premier must have the co-
operation and support of the armed forces. Yet a
decisive overthrow of Mr. Huong-the Buddhists'
objective-would require power that only the armed
forces could supply.
The armed forces have appeared to support the
Premier, but observers in Saigon were unwilling to
speculate whether that support would last for long.
In Hue yesterday, troops and police failed to inter-
vene against rioting Buddhist demonstrators.
Many informed observers believe the Buddhist
leadership has pro-neutralist tendencies.
During the past month the armed forces had
launched their own form of guerrilla warfare against
the Huong government. On Dec. 20 the Armed Forces
Council toppled the High National Council-the legal
basis of the government.
Then, last week, four Vietnamese generals half-
heartedly and reluctantly entered Mr. Huong's gov-
ernment, but one day later than officially announced.
They had simply telephoned they were too busy to
show up at the planned swearing-in-a gesture that
undercut the government's prestige.
Now a three-sided power play is in motion-
with American policy-makers and Premier Huong
in one corner, the Buddhist leadership in direct con
flict in another corner, and the police and the armed
forces temporarily supporting Mr. Huong but capable
of tipping the balance.
The Buddhist demonstration in front of the
U. 8. Embassy Friday emphasized that unless there
is a fast decision to stop the explosive altuation-
either by the armed forces to overthrow Premier
Huong or to support a crackdown on the Buddhist
agitators a marked political deterioration will mush-
room that would benefit only the Viet Cong Com
munists.
The demonstration at the embassy, and the attack
on the U. 8. Information Service Libraries that fol-
lowed, do not represent a wave of anti-Americanism.
The
outburst was a clever tactic of the Buddhists
to ignore Mr. Huong, but to embarrass his rear base
of support the American policy-makers.
The Buddhist leadership again proved that it has
not only the political strategy and organization but
also the political showmanship to capture at least
the Interest and imagination of the Vietnamese
masses.
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Date
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1965, Jan. 24
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Subject
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements--Vietnam (Republic); Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Religious aspects--Buddhism; Buddhism and politics--Vietnam (Republic)
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Location
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Saigon, South Vietnam
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Coordinates
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10.8231; 106.6311
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Container
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B186
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Format
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newspaper clippings
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Collection Number
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MS 363
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Collection Title
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Beverly Deepe Keever, Journalism Papers
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Creator
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Keever, Beverly Deepe
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Copyright Information
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These images are for educational use only. To inquire about usage or publication, please contact Archives & Special Collections.
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Publisher
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Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
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Language
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English
