Saturdoy, November 3,'19,73
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Page Three
Saturday, November 3, 1973 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Three
...
Russian press
shows concern
Vietnamese revere Diem
overW
MOSCOW, (Reuter) -- The So-
viet Union yesterday showed
glowing uneasiness over the po-
litical future of . President Nixon
and for the first time in Moscow
an influential foreign affairs
weekly spelled out what im-
peachment would mean for the
president.
The Soviet Weekly New Times,
breaking months of press re-
straint about Watergate, wrote
yesterday that congressional ac-
cusations against Nixon of seri-
ous breaches of the law could
lead to dismissal of the president
from the White House.'
ALTHOUGH SO FAR nothing
has been published about it, the
Kremlin must have reacted un-
favorably to news that Nixon had
been obliged to shelve part of a
trade bill authorizing improved
tariff regulations for Soviet im-
ports.
The bill, with its most-favored
nation clause for Soviet trade, is
to be brought in again at a more
opportune moment. But the
Kremlin must have been influ-
enced by presidential failure to
carry Congress on this issue -
which although not economically
decisive, has been regarded as a
key psychological point in con-
solidating U. S.-Soviet detente,
observers said.
Nixon's shelving of the trade
bill clause followed a sharp jolt-
ing given Kremlin-White rela-
tions by the Middle East crisis.
FOR THE FIRST TIME since
the formal birth of detente early
this year the Kremlin came close
to rebuking Nixon personally for
actions during the crisis periods
of the desert battles.
A Kremlin statement issued
here with formidable speed fol-
lowing President Nixon's tele-
vised press conference last week,'
said it was "absurd" to say So-
viet actions had caused concern.
Nixon, explaining why he or-
dered a world-wide nuclear alert,
had referred to reports of possi-
ble Soviet troop movements into
the Middle East battle area.
THE KREMLIN'S REACTION
at that point added to disap-
pointment over the first cease-
fire negotiated in Moscow with
U. S. Secretary of State Henry
Kissinger, and a White House re-
fusal to join the Soviet Union in
policing an Arab-Israeli cease-
fire seems to have stimulated a
reconsideration of Nixon person-
ally, observers here said.'
Some observers here now won-
der whether the Kremlin feels it
miscalculated in placing faith in
Nixon's ability to survive Water-
gate, maintain political plausabil-
ity and coolness, and implement
his promises to Moscow on trade.
THERE COULD BE a feeling
here now that international cris-
es, added to domestic scandals,
have placed an intolerable bur-
den on the President, impairing
his judgement and ability, and
that it would be advisable to
prepare Soviet public opinion in
case Nixon's political life is
shortened.
By PETER SHARROCK
SAIGON, (Reuter) - The gar-
landed scaffolding over the lowly
nameless grave of Ngo Dinh
Diem in Saigon's main cemetery
is bigger this year than ever be-
fore.
Yesterday, South Vietnam's na-
tional day, thousands gathered
round the 25-foot high monument
in tribute. The theme of the.
banners unfurled in the capital
was "Long live the spirit of Ngo
Dinh Diem."
THE REHABILITATION of
former President Diem-killed in
in a coup exactly 10 years ago in
which many of the present top
South Vietnamese politicians par-
ticipated - has been slow. But
this year it. looks increasingly
sure.
With the sudden departure of,
the last American soldiers cinder
the terms of the Paris agreement
and the onset of chronic inflation
and a rice crisis, the decade of
American presence in Vietnam
has rapidly become a brief inter-
lude in history for the Vietna-
mese.
A few months ago Saigon was
buzzing, with rumors about the
return from exile of former Em-
peror Bao Dai. There were front-
page reports in every newspaper
on the former emperor's activi-
ties, and speeches from his form-
er ministers.
NOW THE FOCUS of the cam-
paign to rehabilitate the past has
moved to Diem.
President Diem was shot dead
along with his brother, Nhu, in an
armored car on November 1, aft-
er surrendering to the coup lead-
ers. Nobody has been officially
blamed for his death and an
army major responsible for the
vehicle died shortly after the
president.
The Catholic president, branded
as a dictator by the army offic-
ers who overthrew him, is grad-
ually becoming a cult figure.
IN THE LONG MONOLOGUES,
lasting five or six hours, he used
to deliver to diplomats, minis-
ters and journalists in 'the presi-
dential palace, he called him-
self "Ngo the. patriot" and ex-
pounded his French - inspired
personalist philosophy as an ans-
wer to Communism.
In addition to the procession
through Saigon today celebrating
the anniversary of his death,
smaller ceremonies were sched-
uled in Catholic communities in
all 44 provinces of South Viet-
nam.
FORMER CORPORAL VU
Van Thi - who saw the blood-
stained body of Diem and his
brother when the armoured car
reached the armed forces head-
quarters at Tan Son Nhut airbase
- expresses a view heard every
day in Saigon.
"If President Ngo Dinh Diem
were still alive, there would nev-.
er have been 500,000 American
soldiers in South Vietnam but
only a few advisers. There would
have been no Tet offensive (of
1968) and no 1972 offensive."
In Catholic villages in the coun-
tryside it is quite common to
hear old men and women talking
about when President Diem will
come out of secret political exile
in Malaysia and return as/a sav-
iour to his country.
IT IS DIFFICULT to exagger-
ate the hold that cults take in
Vietnam. The Cao Dai. and Hoa
Hao religious sects, both founded
this century by men who more
or less saw themselves as rein-
carnations of Buddha, have a fol-
lowing totalling about three mil-
lioh from a population of about
20 million.
Coinciding with this week's
celeb'ration preparations there
have even been rumors that Ma-
dame - Ngo Dinh Nhu, the fiery
wife of Diem's brother remem-
bered as the woman who liberat-
ed Vietnamese women by pushing
through a law making it illegal
to have more than one wife,
may return to Saigon from exile
in Rome.
A,
AP Photo
EGYPTIAN SOLDIERS load water supplies aboard amphibious transport vehicles bound for encircled
elements of the Egyptian Third Army on the east bank of the Suez yesterday.
Israeli geeals criticize
TON IGHT
BRA
young'
M ideast
TEL AVIV (A) Two Israeli mil-
itary heroes criticized the na-
tion's defense leadership yes-
terday for what they claimed
were blunders made at the open-
ing of the war with Egypt and
Syria.
They called for an investiga-
tion of early setbacks which per-
mitted Egypt to crack Israeli de-
fenses on the east bank of the
Suez canal and Syriato take posi-
tions in the Golan Heights. Des-
pite their criticisms they said
Israel still scored a great vic-
tory over its Arab foes.
"LET IT HURT whomever it
will hurt," said Commerce Min-
ister Haim Bar-Lev, once Is-
rael's chief of staff, refering to
the proposed. probe.
His political rival and former-
air force chief, Maj. Gen. Ezer
Weizman, joined in the attack
and declared, "At certain levels
of the military hierarchy there
was an insensibility that caused
a lack of proper readiness for
* war."
Weizman added, however: "De-
spite mistaken opening moves,
the Israel defense forces scored
a magnificent victory."
THE GENERALS' challenges
to the country's military leader-
ship could add to the political
troubles already plaguing t h e
government of Premier Golda
Meir..
The government already h a s
postponed national elections from
Oct. 30 to Dec. 31. It has come
under fire for failing to antici-
pate the events of Oct. 6 and
for later handling of the cease-
fire, particularly. in failing to se- .
cure early release of prisoners
of war.
Critics have argued that Is-
rael had accepted the cease-
fire too soon and could have
dealt the Arabs a crushing blow
if it had not agreed to -stop the
fighting.
THE CALL for a probe by the
two retired generals could have
major political repercussions in
the nearly two months before the
elections. However, there was no
indication that public feeling was
strong enough to sway the vot-
ing away from Mrs. Meir's par-
ty.
Neither Bar-Lev nor Weizman
mentioned Defense Minister
Moshe Dayan or chief of "staff
Lt. Gen. David Elazar but t h e
MA
war strategy
two military leaders would clear-
ly be key subjects in a. probe.
Dayan has already ben se-
verely criticized by Bar-Lev's
formre Cabinet colleague, Yook-
ov S. Shapiro, who resigned as
justice minister after Mrs. Meir
rejected his complaint against
the defense minister. Shapiro, a
long-time opponent of Dayan,
claimed he had been insufficient-
ly prepared for war and demand-
ed his resignation.
BAR-LEV AND Weizman spoke
out in interviews with the influ-
ential newspaper Maariv. The
paper had official clearance to
publish the interviews.
Weizman, who built up the air
force that defeated Egypt, Jor-
dan and Syria in 1967, said, "Let
us have no mercy on whoaver is
found guilty of mistakes, failures
or misdoings."
Bar-Lev acknowledged that the
initial setbacks had been over-
come and warned that if fight-
ing resumes, "we are well-plac-
ed at the soft belly of Egypt ...
I do not think Egypt would have
a chance.
"WHOEVER SAYS our de-
ployment did not stand the test
is correct - but only for the first
48 hours," said the former chief
of staff.
The general declined to explain
the setbacks until an investiga-
tion was complete, but indicated
he felt that the evaluation of in-
telligence reports and the con-
clusions drawn from them were
responsible.
No matter what emerged from
an enquiry, Bar-Lev said, "I am
utterly confident of one thing -
the Israeli defense forces will
never again be caught hy sur-
prise."
On the performance of the
Egyptian army, Bar Lev main-
tained that "only the U.N. cease-
fire .prevented it frmn being
wiped out." But he said the
Egyptians displayed more imtia-
tive, persistence, motivatton anid
readiness for sacrifice than in
past wars.
WHEN ISRAEL unle-1hed its
unorthodox tactics, however, the
Arabs reacted slowly and lacked
imagination or resourc.fulness,
he said. Hundreds of thousands of
Egyptians were used as "dispos-
able or throwaway soldiers," he
brainwashed for suzh human
said. The Arab troons had been
wave tactics, and .Egyptian
planes and helicopters were also
wasted in badly planned actions,
he contended.
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Volume LXXXIV, No. 51
Saturday, November 3, 1973
is edited and managed by students at
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It IN -N.Y. Daily News
"EASIL.Y ONE OF THE BEST
OF THE YEAR IN ANY
"Creates ana., CATEGORY!" -Richard schicke,
"Ceaesa Time Magazine
Intimacy Rihad e
That Few
Movies
Achieve!"
-David Block
Crowdaddv _:..
"SPUNKY, UM
WRY, .
DROLL,
HILARIOUS, AND TRAGIC!
.A HUMANE, UNSENTIMENTAL
FILM TRULY DIVERTING!"
-John Simon, Esquire
open 12:45-r h -
shows at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 p.m.
Marlon Brando's two greatest films, until THE
GODFATHER and LAST TANGO:
NamedDes ire
with Vivien Leigh, Karl Maiden and Kim Hunter
in Tennessee Williams' play, directed by Elia Kazan.
"A motion picture that throbs with passion a'nd
poignancy . . . as fine if not finer than the play.
I'nner torments are seldom projected with such
sensitivity and clarity. But comments cannot do
justice to the substance and the artistry of this
film. You must see it to appreciate it."'
I
.1AUDITIONS
for Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's production of
COMPANY
Nov. 4
7-10 p.m.
sign in PROMPTLY at 7 p.m.
Bring music and be prepared to sing
Nov. 5 & 6-7-10 p.m. Readings.
Music auditions on Nov. 4th only.
All interested persons must come
on Nov. 4th at 7 p.m. PROMPTLY
AACT Building-201 Mulholland Dr.
PRODUCTION DATES JANUARY 23-27th, 1974
_ _ _ _ _- I
PRESENTS
the Colorful 16 Member Ensemble
Holiday, in Greece
Direct from PLAKA
This SUNDAY, Nov. 4-8 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Holiday will include:
* HARRY LEMONOPOULOS (Bouzouki) -played for
Melina Mercouri in "Ilia Darling" and for Anthony Quinn
in "The Kings Dream"
* MARIA MELAGIA and FOTIS KOIS-Vocalists who
are the rage of the Plaka
" PROSSOS and TANDA-Choreography. See and Learn the
Sirtaki, the Zorra Dance and Many Others.
r THE BIRDS-Rock, European Style
* PETRUS-plays fine clarinet (the Artie Shaw of Greece)
This Weekend
$2.00
8:30
Topic Record's
Margaret
Barry
.._.