The Political Programme of the South Vietnam National Front for Liberation
THE SOUTH VIETNAM National Front for Liberation (N.F.L.) was formed in 1960. Its ten-point programme, in the words of Nilan Dall,
the Hanoi newspaper (September 2nd, 1967):
rallied all the patriotic and democratic forces into the struggle to over- throw the. domination of the U.S. imperialists and their henchmen, to bring about independence, democracy, peace and ~cutJality in South Vietnam, pending national reunification.
The tell points may be summarised as follows:
1. Overthrow the camouflaged colonial regime of the American imperial- ists and the dictatorial power of Ngo Dunh Diem, servant of the Americans, and institute a government of national democratic union.
2. Institute a largely liberal and democratic regime. "
3. Establish an indcpendent and sovereign economy. and improve the
living conditions of the people. '
4. Reduce land rent, implement agrarian reform with the aim of pro~
viding land to aid tillers.
5. Develop a national and democratic culture and education.
6. Create a national army dcvotcd to the defence of the Fatherland and the people.
7. Guarantee equality between the various minorities and between the two sexes; protect the legitimate interests of foreign citizens estab~
lished in Vietnam and of Vietnamese citizens residing abroad.
8. Promote a foreign policy of peace and neutrality.
9. Re-establish normal relations bctwccn the two zones, and prepare for the peaceful reunification of the country.
10. Struggle against all aggressive war; actively defend universal peace.
In August 1967, after seven years of heroic and determined struggle by the people and armed forces of South Vietnam, the N.F.L. met in 44
a liberated area for an Extraordinary Congress to review the situation, assess the achievements of the liberation struggle, and adopt a new Political Programme. Delegates from all levels of the N.F.L., from the Armed Forces, from the mass organisations and political parties, the national and religious communities, and from the people of Saigon and other cities were present. The intervening years had seen the mounting tide of victory of the Vietnamese people in their just struggle, the international exposure of the ruthless imperialist aggression of the U.S. and her lackeys and satellites, and the growing maturity and unity of the people of Vietnam forged in the fire of their patriotic fight for freedom. The New Political Programme of the N.F.L. embodies all the developed experience, wisdom and determination of the move- ment which has established itself as the sole genuine representative of the heroic South Vietnamese people. It is a historic document of unusual interest.
THE POLITICAL PROGRAMME OF THE N.F.L.
The Programme opens with a hist6rical review of the long struggle for liberation and of the achievements of the N.F.L. since its formation in 1960. The Front has effected a broad union of the various nationali- ties, religious ·communities, organisations, and patriotic personalities comprising the people of Vietnam. In addition (0 consolidating its mass base, it has won over the support of many manufacturers, traders, officials of the puppet administration, and officers and soldiers of the puppet army. It has enjoyed the wholehearted support of its com- patriots in the North, the approval of the peoples of Cambodia and Laos, and the assistance of the peoples of the socialist and other countries in the world, including progressive people in the United States. E~posing the sabotage by the U.S. imperialists of the 1954 Geneva Agreement, and their frantic escalation of brutal aggression.
the Programme goes on to summarise the political and military achievements of the people, showing that:
The liberated areas have continuously expanded and now already make up four-fifths of the South Vietnam territory with two-thirds of its popula- tion. In these liberated areas, a national and democratic power is taking shape and a new life is blossoming. In addition to big military victories, we have also recorded important successes in the political, economic and cultural and diplomatic fields.
Nothing brings out more clearly the popular character of the libera- tion struggle, and the imperialist character of the U.S. aggression, than the Programme's observation that:
The more the U.S. imperialists obdurately intensify and expand their war of aggression against our country, the more they sustain bitter defeats
and are isolated (and) on the other hand, our people win greater victories and get more friends.
lINITE THE ENTIRE PEOPLE. FIGHT THE U.S. AGGRESSORS.
S'\VE TH E CO U NTRY
Under this inspiring slogan the Programme sets out the immediate
obje~tives of the N.F.L. The U.S. aggressors and their lackeys arc clearly identified as the enemy and roundly condemned. The N.F.L.
pledges itself to strive with the (North) Vietnam Fatherland Front to liberate the South, defend the North and proceed towards the peaceful reunification of the whole country. The N.F.L. further pledges itself to 'take an active part in the common struggle of the world's peoples against the bellicose and aggressive imperialists'; it thus shoulders its international responsibilities in recognition of the fact that the war of resistance against U.S. aggression is an integral part of the revolutionary struggle of the people all over the world. Knowing that only a real independence wil,l bring genuine peace, the people of South Vietnam must stand up to make revolution and wage a people's war to drive out the foreign invaders. To this end,
The Front undertakes to build and develop the political forces of the masses, -promote the movement of political struggle, combine armed struggle with political struggle and agitation among enemy troops, thus forming three converging prongs to defeat the enemy.
BUILD AN INDEPENDENT. DEMOCRATIC. PEACEFUL.
NEUTRAL AND PROSPEROUS SOUTH VIETNAM
Under this slogan the N.F.L. sets out the policy objectives which will lay the basis for reconstruction, and for the consolidation of the independence and sovereignty of the nation. There are fourteen points, each laying down in detail the concrete tasks that lie ahead"'. The
points are:
I. To SCi up a broad and progressive democratic regime.
2. To build an independent and self-supporting economy; to Improve the people's living conditions.
3. To enact the land policy. to carry out the slogan: Land to the tiller.
4. To build a national democratic culture and education, to develop science and technology, to promote public health.
5.. To guarantee the interests of factory and office workers and other labouring people and see to their livelihood.
6. To build up South Vietnam liberation armed forces powerfully with a view to liberating the people and defending the Falherland.
7. To show gratitude to the martyrs, to attend to disabled army men, to reward the army men and civilians distinguished in tbe fight against U.S. aggression and for national salvation.
* The full text of the Programme is contained in Vietllam Courier No. 127, September 7th, 1967.
8. To organise social relief.
9. To carry out equality between man and woman; to protect mothers and children.
to. To strengthen unity; to practise equality and mutual assistance among nationalities.
II. To respect freedom of creed, to achieve unity and equality among the different religious communities.
12. To welcome puppet officers and soldiers and puppet officials back 10 the just cause; show leniency and give a humane treatment to rallied army men and prisoners of war.
13. To protect the rights and interest of Overseas Vietnamese.
14. To protecl the legitimate rights and interests of foreign residents in South Vietnam.
VIETNAM MUST BE REUNIFIED
The third part of the Programme asserts the fundamental unity of the country and people of Vietnam, and the goal of reunification.
The means envisaged for this is peaceful negotiation between the two zones without foreign interference. Pending reunification, the people in both zones are free to move and reside where they choose.
TO APPLY A FOREIGN POLICY OF PEACE AND NEUTRALITY
Under this heading the N.F.L. sets out its foreign policy. It will establish diplomatic relations with all countries on the basis of respect for mutual sovereignty and independence; abolish unequal treaties signed by the puppet regime with the U.S.; join no military alliance and accept no military bases or personnel of foreign countries on its soil.
It will actively support: (i) the national liberation movement of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America against imperialism;
(ii) the struggle of the American people against the U.S. imperialists' war of aggression; (iii) the just struggle of Black people in the United States for their fundamental national rights; and (iv) the struggle for
peace, democracy and social progress in all countries in the world.
THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE WILL SURELY BE VICTORIOUS!
Finally, the N.F.L. invites all groups to pool their efforts to bring about the final victory. The Programme ends on a stirring note:
The U.S. aggressors and their henchmen will certainly be defeated!
The Programme of the South Vietnam National Front for Liberation
is sure to materialise! .
Fighters and compatriots throughout South Vietnam, under the glorious banner of the South Vietnam National Liberation Front for Liberation, march forward heroically!