1.
LS TRAFFIC ALONG MAIN HIGHWAY IN LONG AN PROVINCE.
0.06

2.
LS TRAFFIC AWAY FROM CAMERA.
0.11

3.
MLS CANOE DRIVEN BY OUTBOARD MOTOR ALONG CANAL.
0.19

4.
AS TRAFFIC ALONG CANAL 'U MINH' FOREST
0.29

5.
AS CLEARING FOR MILITARY INSTALLATION IN FOREST.
0.35

6.
MS AMERICAN HELICOPTER TAKING OFF.
0.42

7.
MCS VIETNAM GUN
0.46

8.
MS VIETNAMESE SOLDIER CARRYING AMMUNITION
1.01

9.
CU SIGN OVER CAMP
1.05

10.
MLS RIVERSIDE VILLAGE (CA MAU'
1.09

11.
MS VILLAGERS CROSSING RIVER BY FERRY (2 SHOTS)
1.17

12.
MS VILLAGE MARKET.
1.28



Initials CO.17.26 CG/CO/17.37


TELERECORDING original colour on 5431/71

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: LONG AN PROVINCE, AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT STRONGHOLD FOR OVER SOUTH VIETNAMESE FORCES. THE SOUTH VIET CONG TERRORIST CONTROL BY COMPLETED THE OPERATION WITH ONLY THE ASSISTANCE OF AMERICAN HELICOPTERS, AND THE ACHIEVEMENT IS HAILED AS A FURTHER SIGN OF THE SUCCESSFUL 'VIETNAMISATION' PROCESS.

THE GOOD NEWS FROM LONG AN CO-INCIDES WITH THE DISBANDING OF THREE MAJOR U.S. GROUND COMMANDS I SOUTH VIETNAM. THE PROVINCE LIES IN A DELTA ON THE SOUTHERN TIP OF THE COUNTRY WHERE 40 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION COME UNDER HEAVY INFLUENCE FROM THE VIET CONG. SOUTH VIETNAMESE FORCES PUSHED INTO THE U MINH FOREST AIMING TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY AND BRING THE PEOPLE UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL. IN FIVE MONTHS, THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN DRAMATIC...2500 ENEMY KILLED, 1400 DEFECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT SIDE.

WE SEE THE VILLAGE OF CA MAU, WHERE SOME OF THE 56,000 SOUTH VIETNAMESE WHO FLED U MINH FOREST REGION DURING THE OPERATION HAVE BEEN RE-SETTLED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE CAPTURE OF ENEMY WEAPONS AND THE CUTTING OFF OF SUPPLIES FROM CAMBODIA HAS MEANT THAT THE VIET CONG HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REVERT TO THEIR OLD PRACTISE OF FIGHTING WITH CAPTURED AMERICAN ARMS.