Foreign News: TERMS OF SURRENDER

VIETNAM is to be partitioned provisionally at the 17th parallel, the north portion (pop. 12 million) to go to the Communists. Cambodia is to be cleared of all guerrillas and left free to deal with its local Communist problem as it can.

Laos, though remaining independent like Cambodia, must set aside two enclaves in the north for “indigenous” Communists, who presumably will remain armed and active. Both Laos and Cambodia are apparently permitted to build up their armed forces for defense, with foreign help if they wish, and both may call for foreign military assistance if they think their security is threatened. They can belong to a military alliance if it is not in violation of the U.N. charter.

For Viet Nam, the only one of the three associated states of Indo-China that had already lost much of its territory to the Communists, these further terms:

Cease-Fire. Each commander shall order his forces to stop hostilities on the following dates: Northern Viet Nam on July 27, Central Viet Nam on Aug. 1 and Southern Viet Nam on Aug. 11.

Partition. A demarcation line and demilitarized zone roughly six miles wide shall run at about the 17th parallel of latitude along the Benhai River. (South of it, still in non-Communist hands, lie valuable Tourane seaport and air base and the only free main road into Laos.)

Regrouping of Forces. All organized Viet Minh forces must be grouped north of the 17th parallel and all French Union forces south of it. In North Viet Nam, French Union forces must assemble in Hanoi, Haiduong and Haiphong, must evacuate the cities within 80, 100 and 300 days respectively. Communist organized forces in the south must withdraw within 80 to 200 days.

>Both sides agree to refrain from reprisals against collaborators.

> All prisoners of war and civilian internees must be surrendered within 30 days to the proper authorities, “who shall give them all possible assistance in proceeding to their country of origin, place of habitual residence or zone of choice.”

> Any civilians who leave one zone to live in the other “shall be permitted and helped to do so” by the authority in command. This guarantee should be effective for anti-Communist civilians in those parts of North Viet Nam still under French control: they can be evacuated with the troops. But there seems to be no foolproof provision for any anti-Communists in Viet Minh-held territory (in particular the thousands of Catholics abandoned in the delta).

Rearming § Defense. Neither side may reinforce its troops, though they may rotate personnel. Neither side may bring in additional equipment, but piece-for-piece replacement is allowed.

> New military bases are prohibited. No military base controlled by a foreign state may be established, and neither side may join any military alliance.

Executing the Agreement. A joint Commission composed of equal numbers from each side shall insure a “simultaneous and general cease-fire,” a “regrouping of armed forces,” observance of the demarcation lines and other provisions that depend on joint action. Supervision. An International Commission—Canada, India and Poland—shall preside as arbitrator of troop movements, supervisor of ports and frontiers and all aspects of the truce. India will preside.

The commission will have fixed inspection teams in 14 towns and mobile teams empowered to “move freely” through 1) the regions bordering the frontiers of Viet Nam, 2) the demarcation lines, and 3) the demilitarized zones. The mobile teams may not move elsewhere without the consent of zone commanders.

>On questions concerning violations or threats of violation which might lead to resumed hostilities, the International Commission must act unanimously, i.e., anyone can block any action by veto.

> If any party to the truce refuses to follow a recommendation of the commission, the matter shall be taken directly to the eight governments of the Geneva Conference.

The Future. Partition of Viet Nam will presumably end in July 1956, when there are to be general elections, supervised by the International Commission, to create a single government for the entire country.