1.
SV Combat police caution demonstrations.
0.05

2.
SV & GV Demonstrators running from police (3 shots).
0.16

3.
SV Demonstrators throw tear gas canisters and rocks at police (3 shots).
0.27

4.
SV Police with gas masks.
0.30

5.
SV Police and demonstrators.
0.34

6.
SV Bystanders wiping eyes due to tear gas.
0.42

7.
GV & SV Demonstrators burning Thieu posters and leaflets (4 shots).
1.02

8.
SV People burning voting cards (2 shots).
1.12



Initials BB/1427 JL/AW/BB/1436



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Large groups of students rampaged through the streets and alleys of Saigon on Saturday (18 September), hurling firebombs and rocks as they battled combat police. The students were protesting against the non-contested October presidential election, which sees President Nguyen Van Thieu as the only candidate.

Saturday's disturbance was one of several that have taken place in the past few days. It seems likely that the anti-Thieu demonstrators will escalate their protests as the election nears.

VISNEWS cameraman Kim So filmed this report on Thursday's (16 September) clash between students and police.

SYNOPSIS: In Saigon on Thursday, demonstrators staged a march and rally in protest the uncontested October presidential elections. As combat police moved in to disperse the crowd, demonstrators began scuffling with police.

Police fired volleys of teat gas canisters at the fleeing crowd. Several of the students in the crowd picked up the canisters and flung them back at the police, who were forced to put on their gas masks.

Many bystanders were caught unaware by clouds of gas.

Later, the demonstrators managed to regroup, unmolested by police. They burned posters and leaflets of President Nguyen Van Thieu - the only candidate in the upcoming election. Some of the demonstrators also burned voting, cards, as a protest against what they feel is a rigged election. As the election nears, it is likely that the demonstrations against Mr. Thieu will escalate in size and number.