A LARGE SAIGON CROWD YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) WATCHED THE PUBLIC EXECUTION OF A VIETNAMESE WARRANT OFFICER NGUYEN VAN PHUC, FOR ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT FOR 2,031,703 PIASTRES (ABOUT 7,100 STERLING) MEANT FOR PAYING TROOPS.

MINUTES BEFORE HIS EXECUTION, PHUC PROTESTED HIS INNOCENCE OF CORRUPTION CHARGES. HIS LAST MINUTE APPEAL FOR CLEMENCY WAS REJECTED BY PRESIDENT NGUYEN VAN THIEU.

PHUC, A FORMER BATTALION PAYMASTER, WAS CONVICTED BY A SPECIAL COURT.

PHUC, DRESSED IN WHITE -- A SYMBOL OF MOURNING AND DEATH IN SOUTH VIETNAM WAS MANACLED TO A STAKE. EARLIER, HE TOLD A CATHOLIC PRIEST AND REPORTERS: "IF MY ??? COULD END CORRUPTION PRACTICES, I WILL BE HAPPY TO DIE. BUT I AM GOING TO DIE FOR TWO CAPTAINS."
PHUC WAS THE SECOND SOLDIER EXECUTED IN SOUTH VIETNAM THIS MONTH AND THE FOURTH TO BE SENTENCED TO DEATH ON CORRUPTION CHARGES IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.