Antiwar Activists Appeal to Hanoi, North Vietnam

By Bernard Gwertzman Special to The New York Times
Dec. 21, 1976

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20—Daniel Ellsberg, Joan Baez, Daniel and Philip Berrigan and dozens of other antiwar activists of the 1960’s and 1970’s have protested to the leaders of unified Vietnam about reports of repressive acts carried out since the capture of Saigon last year.

Couched in tones more of sorrow than anger, the letter noted that the signers had often criticized the actions of President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam when he “filled the American‐funded prisons with thousands upon thousands of innocent people.”

Citing reports that as many as 300,000 people might now be in Communist detention centers, the letter said “wa cannot be silent now, even though America’s intervention is ended.”

Avoidance of Historical Pattern Urged

“We voice our protest in the hope that your Government can avoid repetition of the tragic historical pattern in which liberators gain power only to impose a new oppression,” the letter said.

“We therefore call upon you to honor the concern for human rights which you have expressed in both informal agreements and in countless conversations with peace activists. We call for a complete public accounting of those detained or imprisoned, indicating, as well, the charges for which they are held.

“We call on the Government of Vietnam to facilitate on‐the‐spot inspection by the United Nations, Amnesty International or other independent international agencies in order to assure that those in the Government’s charge are treated in accord with international convenants regarding human rights. We call on you to release any individuals who are held purely because of their religious or political convictions. We call for government recognition of the right to open and free communication.”

Second Such Appeal Sent to Hanoi

The appeal, sponsored by James H. Forrest, editor of Fellowship, a pacifist publication of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, was the second such document sent to Vietnam’s observer at the United Nations, Dinh Ba Thi.

In October, a letter from SANE, which describes itself as a “citizens’ organization for a sane world,” also raised questions about the reports of detained people. No response was received, according to Sanford Gottlieb, the organization’s executive director, who also signed the Forrest letter.

D. Gareth Porter, a supporter of Vietnam who has been directing a group called the Indochina Resources Center, said the SANE letter had been based on inaccurate information. Mr. Gottlieb said today that there was a paucity of confirmed information. But Washington continues to receive reports of arrests and other repressive acts that force thousands of Vietnamese to flee.

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