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GV Large Saigon building
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2.
SV & SCU Loud-speaker van broadcasting President Thieu's message
0.10

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SV & SCU Newspaper sellers...buyers reading (Nixon speaking on loud-speakers) (12 shots)
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GV Street scene
1.02

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SV People hanging out flags (3 shots)
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MV & CU U.S. servicemen relax (4 shots)
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Initials BB/0118 RW/GS/BB/0230


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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Initial excitement in Saigon over the ceasefire agreement was quickly dampened by President Thieu with a warning the agreement to be signed on Saturday is not a lasting peace.

Broadcasting to the nation shortly after the announcement in Washington, Saigon and Hanoi, the President said "be careful because peace does not mean a lasting peace. I tell you that I believe this is solely a ceasefire agreement, no more, no less."
His warning turned the first mood of excitement into a mood of caution. People snapping up newspapers in the streets were quick to dub it an American peace...the end of the war for the United States...but not for the Vietnamese.

Housewives flocked to the markets to lay in food as rumours spread of an impending curfew, and loudspeaker vans toured the streets ordering people to fly national flags.

Another major concern is that both sides will try to grab more territory between now and the actual signing on Saturday...a concern that was quickly born out by reports of 95 incidents in 24 hours...a sharp increase and the highest level of military activity for weeks.

SYNOPSIS: A mood of caution followed a brief burst of excitement in Saigon as the news of an impending ceasefire was relayed to the people.

People snapping up newspapers in the streets were quick to call the ceasefire "An American Peace". Many apparently felt the agreement means the end of the war for the United States, but not for the Vietnamese. President Thieu sounded the note of caution. Broadcasting soon after the simultaneous announcements in Washington, Hanoi and Saigon, he said "be careful because peace does not mean a lasting peace. I tell you that I believe this is solely a ceasefire agreement, no more, no less." One major concern is that both sides will try to grab more territory between now and the actual signing...a concern that was quickly born out by reports of 95 incidents in 24 hours....the highest level of military activity for weeks.

In the city housewives flocked to the markets to lay in supplies of food as rumours spread of an impending curfew. Loudspeaker vans toured the streets ordering people to unfurl national flags and banners welcoming the ceasefire. Later Saigon radio said troops and police had orders to shoot anyone tearing the flags down.

Meanwhile, United States sources say most American advisers have already been pulled back from the front line. The withdrawal will leave only advisors, Embassy and aid officials in the country.