Saturday, May 6, 1972
Shoot Looters 0n Spot - Thieu
SAIGON (AP) --President Nguyen Van Thieu Thursday ordered police in South Vietnam's cities and towns to "shoot on the spot" anyone engaging in terrorism or public disturbances.The order, issued to military region commanders and province and district chiefs, was aimed at preventing enemy terrorism and maintaining public order during the North Vietnamese offensive. Allied intelligence officials have enemy documents which indicate the Viet Cong plan terrorism and civil disruptions as a later phase of the offensive.South Vietnamese and U.S. officials also are concerned about keeping order among the population if the fighting continues to go against Saigon's forces.The northern city of Hue, already menaced by the enemy, has been subjected to scattered looting and other disturbances by military deserters and troops involved in the rout from Quang Tri. Military police are trying to round up the troublemakers.The official government news agency, Vietnam Press, said Thieu told the officials all subversive activities -including robbery, the use of weapons and explosives which harm life, property or government facilities and property -"must be considered as initiated by Communist cadres aimed at taking power," or by "reactionary elements in collusion with the enemy.""Shoot Looters On Spot - Thieu", by (AP), published in the Pacific Stars and Stripes on Saturday, May 6, 1972 and reprinted form European and Pacific Stars and Stripes, a Department of Defense publication copyright, 2002 European and Pacific Stars and Stripes.