I. International and domestic contextII. DRV’s war strategy and foreign policy

orientation.III. Foreign activities in 1965-1967IV. The opening of “fighting-negotiating”

process

Phase III: Limited war 1965-1968

International relations: Decentralization (ly tâm) in both East and West. (China- SU; France- US). Peace between two blocs.

US: Change to “limited war”, escalate war in VN. SU: help DVR, but do not want the VN war to destroy

the peace with the West. Use VN to isolate China. China: monopoly on VN to separate SU from world

revolution. Help VN to fight America to guarantee south border but do not want war with US.

France: Neutralize South VN, condemn US bomb North VN.

UK: Support US. Want to be mediator in promote the UK role.

I. International and domestic context

Domestic context: - Special war fail. US had to escalate the war

with American troops- limited war. War now in both North and South.

- VN won important battles in 1964-1965

International and Domestic context

What is Gulf of Tonkin event?

Question

War strategy: Resolution 11 (3/1965 before US introduced troops in the South) and resolution 12 (12/1965 after US send large amount of troops in).

Foreign policy orientation: resolution 11, 12, especially 13 (12/1965): Three fronts; Win the war within Vietnamese border; take advantage of the righteousness of our cause to call for world front against war in VN; and the public opinion in the US against the war.

Diplomatic tactics: call for aid from SU, China and Socialist countries; call for the support of nationalist countries, mobilise world people against the war; solidarity in Indochina; aim at the rear of US, South VN to isolate the aggressive forces.

II. DRV’s war strategy and foreign policy orientation

Highlight our just cause and oppose US’ call for “unconditional negotiation”.

- 23/3/1965 the South Vietnam Liberation Front issue 5 point declaration; 8/4 DRV issue 4 point declaration.

- US diplomatic activities: 7/4/1965: Johnson declared: US willing to negotiate unconditionally. (Baltimore formula); mobilise 113 governments, sent envoys to 40 countries to explain US position and accuse DRV of delaying negotiation.

- 5/12/1965: HCM “The US proposal of unconditional negotiation is unacceptable”. Sent letter to 70 countries explain DRV’s position. Result: world opinion gradually understand our position and supporting DRV.

III. DRV’s foreign activities in 1965-1967

Maintain relations with both China and SU, contributing to settle the dispute

- No side with anyone of the two- Create favourable condition for the SU to have

voice in VN issue internationally- Remain independent in our own strategyResult:- Keep good relations with both and get aid from

both- Being independent in out war strategy. - Relations with China deteriorate

DRV’s foreign activities in 1965-1967

Solidarity in Indochina- Cambodia: 3/1965 Support the Indochina people’s conference in Phnompenh.1967 recognise Cambodia sovereignty, territorial integrity. CPC allow DRV to transport weapon and armed equipment through it territory; recognise south VN front; With Polpot, asking Polpot not to wage armed struggle against Shihanouk- Laos: Supporting resistant force to fight against US air war. At the same time keep relations with Vientiane government.- The Indochina became a front to fight against US.

DRV’s foreign activities in 1965-1967

World movement against the war in Vietnam

- The world movement widely spread all over the world. 7/1967 a conference on VN held in Stockholm; international court Bertrand Russel 5/67 in Stockholm; 11/67 in Copenhagen;

- Movement in the US: 1965 National Committee against the war in Vietnam held 2 big demonstrations 10/1965 and 3/1966) and some more in 1967. General public opinion in the US against the war, influence US policy and war strategy in Vietnam.

DRV’s foreign activities in 1965-1967

Diplomatic declaration 28/1/1967: After US stop bombing and other war activities against North VN, DRV may talk with the US.

- Why 1967? Implication of the declaration?- Result: World opinion and US opinion widely support

DRV 29/9/1967: Johnson’s declaration: US willing to stop

bombing as long as this lead to fruitful negotiation (San Antonio formula). US seek mediator in Moscow, London, Rumani.

29/12/1967: Diplomatic declaration 28/1/1967: After US stop bombing and other war activities against North VN, DRV will talk with the US.

IV. The opening of fighting-negotiating process

Tet offensive 1968: Phase I 2/1968; phase II 5/1968; Phase III 8/1968.

Johnson’s TV address on 31/3/1968: No bombing north of 20 parallel; want to talk with Hanoi; no running for president.

3/4/1968: accept to talk with US with condition- beginning the process of “fighting-negotiating”.

13/5/1968: Paris peace talk begin. Aim of the talk: to win the world opinion, to condemn US actions in South VN. Not negotiate on stop bombing, just ask US to do.

9/1968 begin to prepare for 4 side conference.

The opening of fighting-negotiating process

What was Vietnamese policy toward the Soviet-China conflict?

What was China’s and Soviet Union’s attitude toward the opening of fighting while negotiating?

Question

How important is the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam war?

Question

Result:- DRV initiate Tet offensive (3 phases) but still

won support of world opinion 31/10/1968 US unilaterally declare to stop

bombing North VN 4 side talk agreed in 9/1968.

The opening of fighting-negotiating process

I. International and domestic contextII. DRV’s war strategy and foreign policy

orientationIII. DRV’s foreign activities-The “fighting-

negotiating” process

Phase IV: Vietnamisation 1969-1973

International context:- Détente in international relations- US: introduce the strategy “Vietnamization”; exploit the contradiction between SU and China to solve the VN issue on US term.- SU: Help VN but still want peace with US; isolate China, not allowing China used VN to oppose SU.- China: oppose SU and peace with US. Support VN’s “fighting-negotiating” to deal with the US. Domestic context:

Difficult situation in 1969-1970; War spread to all over Indochina; Vietnamization take effect.

I. International and domestic context

War strategy: Continue struggle on 3 front military, politics and foreign relations

Foreign policy orientation (Resolution 17; resolution 18): i) Coerce US to deescalate, withdraw US force; ii) Exploit the difference between US and South VN, in the US; iii) promote international posture of South VN liberation front; iiii) getting aid from socialist countries and support from world opinion

II. DRV’s war strategy and foreign policy orientation

25/1/1969: 4 side talk begin in Paris with DRV, the front, US, and South VN.

8/5/1969: Front give 10 proposal focusing on: i) US stop the war, withdraw all US force out of VN; ii) Internal affairs of South Vietnam will be settled by Vietnamese people.

Diplomatic activities demand US to withdraw all from VN. 14/9/1970: DRV gave 8 point proposal asking US to withdraw all by 30/6/1971 and set up new government in the South without Thieu-Ky-Khiem

9 point solution on 26/6/1971 and 7 point declaration 1/7/1971 asking for US to withdraw all by 31/12/1971 and the deadline for completing withdrawal is also the deadline for completing release of POW.

III. DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973: demand the US to deescalate

6/1969: The Provisional Revolutionary Government established. 6/1969 recognised by 23 nations; 9/1970 member of NAM.

DRV struggle for the whole country; the provisional government for the South with the slogan neutral and peaceful.

America had to recognise in reality two political entities in South VN.

DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973: promoting the Front’s posture

Winning general opinion in the US: - To show that the war in VN is a war for national

purpose, US had nor reasons to participate in. - Aim diplomatic activities at hot issue: US

withdrawal, POW. - US governments loose support from people and

congress Exploiting contradiction in South VN: Demand to

set a new government in South VN without Thieu-Ky-Khiem; Demand US to stop support Thieu; The provisional government will talk with the regime without Thieu

DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973: Exploiting the contradiction in US and South VN

Domestic context: - DRV won battles in spring-summer 1972,

Vietnamization failed. - Resolution 7/1973 of Politburo: winning

decisive victory, coerce US to accept solution to end its involvement in Vietnam.

- Diplomatic task: negotiate to end US involvment

DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973 : Speeding up Paris negotiation, reaching an agreement

Strategic aims: i) US must respect Vietnamese right to independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; ii) US stop the war, withdraw all its force out of South VN, no interfere in internal affairs of South VN; iii) US recognise two regime, two armed forces, two controlled areas and respect self-determination of South VN people; US must compensate for war in North and South VN.

Principles: i) US withdraw all; ii) DRV keep its force in the South.

Regarding Indochina issues: DRV respect sovereignty of Laos and Cambodia and willing to help.

DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973: Speeding up Paris negotiation, reaching an agreement

Negotiation process in Paris from mid-1972 to signing the agreement

- Phase 1: 7-9/1972: Two sides give proposals. Negotiation not efficient

- Phase 2: negotiate the draft agreement released by DRV on 8/10/1972 toward ending the US involvement. Two step solution: step 1: ending US involvement; step 2: internal affairs of South VN solved by VN people. 20/10 reach final draft between DRV and US

- Phase 3: US can not persuade Thieu, renegotiate, Christmas bombing and sign the agreement.

DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973: Speeding up Paris negotiation, reaching an agreement

What was the US’s strategy in negotiating with DRV at Paris?

Question

Result: - Paris peace accord ( one signed by DRV and US,

another signed by 4 sides)- 4 protocols (cease fire and joint military

commission; international commission of control and supervision; removal, permanent deactivation or destruction of mines; returning POW.

- 7 understandings- 1 agreement on war compensation 3.25 billion

USD.

DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973: Speeding up Paris negotiation, reaching an agreement

What was the significance of Paris peace agreement in January 1973?

Question

What diplomatic lessons could be learnt from the negotiation process of Paris peace agreements?

Question

How was “fighting while negotiating” reflected at Paris negotiation process?

Question

Why did Vietnam-China relations deteriorate in late 1960s?

Question

Significance of signing Paris agreement- US withdraw- Confirm the reality of two governments, two

armed forces, two controlled areas- Open opportunity for reunifying the country.- Contribute to victory of revolutionary forces

in Laos and Cambodia

DRV’s foreign activities 1969-1973: Speeding up Paris negotiation, reaching an agreement

International and domestic context War strategy and foreign policy orientation Diplomatic activities toward ending the war

Phase V: Ending the war 1974-1975

Resolution 15? Establishment of South Vietnam Liberation

Front? Ap Bac battle? Tonkin Gulf incident? Tet Offensive? Provisional Revolutionary Government of

South Vietnam? Linebacker II? And signing of Paris agreement? Vietnam reunification?

Key events of the Vietnam war

US’s Baltimore formula 4/1965? DRV’s declaration 28/1/1967 and 29/12/1967? President Johnson’s declaration on 31/3/1968 DRV’s declaration on 3/4/1968? DRV-US talk begin in Paris13/5/1968 ? 31/10/1969: US unilaterally declare stop bombing North Vietnam 25/1/1969: 4 parties conference begin in Paris 8/5/1969: the Front announce full package for solving conflict in

South Vietnam 1970-1971: Struggle for the US to withdraw and the dissolution

of Thieu regime 8/10/1972: The draft of Paris peace agreement Christmas bombing 27/1/1973: Signing the agreement

Key events of DRV’s foreign activities in the Vietnam war