Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT12
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT12
PBS PRESENTS A SPECIAL REPORT: NUREMBERG AND VIETNAM. WHO IS GUILTY? - PT12 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 Sir Robert Thompson (British military advisor, guerilla warfare expert).
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT12
Robert MacNeil in studio introducing panelist Sir Robert Thompson. MacNeil asks: "Is it possible to protect civilians in accordance of the laws of war?" Thompson's response: "Yes I think that it is possible to protect civilians in accordance to the laws of war, but that doesn t mean that civilians are not going to be killed." He goes on to state & give reason as to why the N. Vietnamese are in violation of the laws of war & the Geneva Convention.
Nuremberg and Vietnam: Who Is Guilty? - PT12
MacNeil asks: "...granted that the Vietcong & the N. Vietnams may have violated the laws of war, what about some American tactics, like Free Fire Zones, perhaps violated the laws of war?" Thompson's response: he doesn t agree that the US was in violation, he goes on to make reference to his experience in Malaya, during wars of this nature restricted areas are defined, no civilians are allowed within these areas & if they were they were there at their own risk. MacNeil asks: "Is it your opinion Sir Robert that the American tactics took sufficient pains to ensure that there were not innocent civilians in the Free Fire Zone? as compared to you tactic in Malaya." Thompson's response: "I think every effort was made..." Interview ends abruptly.