1.
LV.SCENE OF THE MORTAR BOMBING ATTACK
0.05

2.
CU.WOUNDED SOUTH VIETNAMESE SOLDIER SITS IN AMBULANCE
0.10

3.
CU.WRECKAGE
0.12

4.
CU.EQUIPMENT CARRIED BY SOLDIERS AT THE TIME OF ATTACK
0.17

5.
SV.EQUIPMENT BEING SORTED
0.23

6.
CU.PIECE OF WRECKAGE
0.25

7.
LV.POLICE AND SECURITY MEN AT THE SCENE OF THE BOMBING
0.29

8.
LV.FIREMEN HOSING BLOOD-COVERED GROUND
0.45

9.
GV.BUILDING WHERE MORTAR SHELL FELL BUT DIDN'T EXPLODE
0.48

10.
SV.DAMAGE TO ROOF
0.54

11.
LV.ROOF
1.01

12.
GV.WRECKED HOUSE FROM WHICH MORTAR SHELLS WERE FIRED
1.06

13.
GV.DITTO
1.13

14.
SV.SOLDIERS CLEARING WRECKED HOUSE
1.21

15.
SV.SOLDIER PICKS UP UNUSED MORTAR SHELL
1.24

16.
CU.MORTAR SHELL
1.31

17.
LV.PEOPLE WATCHING
1.33

18.
GV.AMERICAN TROOPS ON LORRIED
1.38

19.
SV.TROOPS ON LORRIES
1.42

20.
GV.THE CAPITOL BUILDING IN WASHINGTON
1.52

21.
CU.(SOF)MR. P. GOULDING SPEAKS (SOF STARTS)
2.23


TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 21: MR. PHIL GOULDING: "COMBAT OPERATIONS AGAINST MILITARY TARGETS IN NORTH VIETNAM HAVE NOW BEEN RESUMED. THE SUSPENSION OF THESE OPERATIONS INITIATED AT THE BEGINNING OF TET WAS CONTINUED BEYOND THE END OF TET FOR A SHORT ADDITIONAL TIME IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBILITY THAT EARLIER RESUMPTION WOULD BE MISCONSTRUED IN RELATION TO MR. KOSYGIN'S VISIT TO LONDON."




Initials RM/N-TELE/MR/MM


EDITORS: THE COMMENTATOR'S VOICE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. WE APOLOGISE FOR THE QUALITY OF PARTS OF THIS FILM.
TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A SMALL GROUP OF VIET CONG LOBBING MORTAR SHELLS THROUGH A HOLE IN THE ROOF OF A HOUSE IN SAIGON YESTERDAY (MONDAY) KILLED 12 VIETNAMESE AND WOUNDED MANY OTHERS -- BUT MISSED THEIR TARGET, THE UNITED STATES CENTRAL MILITARY HEADQUARTERS. IN WASHINGTON, AN OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN, MR. PHIL GOULDING, ANNOUNCED THE RESUMPTION OF THE AMERICAN BOMBING OF NORTH VIETNAM FOLLOWING THE END OF TET, THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVE SEASON.

AMONG THOSE KILLED BY THE VIET CONG MORTAR ATTACK WERE NINE SOUTH VIETNAMESE SOLDIERS, WHILE ANOTHER NINE WERE INJURED. WHEN THE SHELL HIT THEIR CONVOY OF TRUCKS IT SET OFF FURTHER EXPLOSIONS OF WHITE PHOSPHOROUS SHELLS. THE VIET CONG, THOUGHT TO BE TWO MEN AND A WOMAN, WERE A MILE AWAY FROM THEIR AMERICAN TARGET AND MISSED IT BY 100 YARDS (91 METRES).

ANOTHER VIET CONG SHELL EXPLODED OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF A SENIOR BRITISH EMBASSY OFFICIAL'S HOUSE. SHRAPNEL RIPPED THROUGH THE HOUSE BUT THE FAMILY INSIDE WERE UNHURT. A THIRD SHELL BURST THROUGH THE ROOF OF A NEARBY BUILDING BUT FAILED TO EXPLODE. THE VIET CONG THEN FLED AFTER PLANTING A TIME BOMB IN THE HOUSE. THE BOMB KILLED ANOTHER THREE VIETNAMESE, AND INJURED ANOTHER 30.

IT WAS THE MOST DRAMATIC VIET CONG ATTACK ON SAIGON FOR MONTHS, AND BROKE THE VIET CONG'S OWN DECLARED SEVEN-DAY LUNAR NEW YEAR TRUCE. SAIGON POLICE ACCUSE THE VIET CONG OF USING THE TRUCE TO SET UP THEIR MORTAR. IN WASHINGTON, THE UNITED STATES DECISION TO RESUME ITS BOMBING OF MILITARY TARGETS WAS ANNOUNCED BY MR. PHIL GOULDING.......