Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT10
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT10
PBS PRESENTS A SPECIAL REPORT: NUREMBERG AND VIETNAM. WHO IS GUILTY? - PT10 A mock trial comparing the standard for "laws of war" set by the outcome of the Nuremberg Trials to US military actions in Vietnam. Was the United States in violation of international laws of war? This section features Victor H. Krulak ( Lt General US Marine Corps) speaking as a Vietnam veteran, detailing his experience & expressing his opinions on US operations during the war.
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT10
Robert MacNeil in studio introducing panelist Victor H. Krulak.
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT10
DO NOT USE: Photo of Victor H. Krulak.
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT10
First question: "What were the rules for treatment of civilians in Vietnam as you understand them?" Krulak's response: he states that there were no exact numbers as to how many S. Vietnamese had been resettled, willingly or unwillingly. He goes on to say that many left their homes for fear of Vietcong, many have left to get out of a battle zone, the relocation was not a mass uprooting, removal or occupation like in WII.
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT10
Next question in reference command directives "What efforts were made, were you satisfied that they were actually carried out?" Krulak's response: "The efforts were extensive & not I'm not at all satisfied that they were always carried out, to the contrary I'm quite sure that they were not..." but "...There was a conscious effort to teach the individual of the importance of a fair relationship with the Vietnamese". Regarding the rules of conduct "...they were strongly adhered to by the great mass."
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT10
Next question: "...as a former military commander, what the military justification was for "free fire zones"? Krulak's response: He states that free fire zones were in concurrence with the providence chief, areas were made aware ahead of time & in many cases the area was of low & scattered population, it was not a surprise to the occupants.