CAMP ENTRANCE: PRISONERS STANDING AT ATTENTION: JOINED BY ONE WHO SALUTES: OFFICER SPEAKS INTO MICROPHONES: PRISONERS RECEIVE CLOTHING AND PASSES: PRISONERS LEAVING CAMP.




Initials JH/VS/BHH/SS



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Background: SOUTH VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED 10 VIET CONG PRISONERS IN A BRIEF CEREMONY AT BIEN HOA PRISON CAMP. BIEN HOA IS 15 MILES (24 KMS) NORTH OF SAIGON.

MANY MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AS WELL AS SOUTH VIETNAMESE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN REPRESENTATIVES WERE PRESENT FOR THE RELEASE.

M. PHILIPPE TARDENT, OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS, GAVE EACH PRISONER A NAME CARD AND A PASS TO ENABLE THE MAN TO RETURN HOME FREELY. HE ALSO PRESENTED EACH PRISONER WITH A GIFT.

IN ADDITION, EACH PRISONER WAS GIVEN 1,500 PIASTRES (ABOUT GBP5 POUNDS STERLING) TO ASSIST THE RETURN TO HIS HOME VILLAGE.

THE MEN'S RELEASE -- ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS -- COMES SIX DAYS AFTER THE VIET CONG RETURNED THREE AMERICANS IN TAY NINH PROVINCE. AT THE END OF LAST NOVEMBER 140 VIET CONG PRISONERS WERE RELEASED BY THE SAIGON GOVERNMENT.