SECRET,
ZA VETOGON BALLARAT ANY
Appendix D.
PUBLICITY ABOUT INDO-CHINA
IN THE REST OF SOUTH EAST ASIA
The objective of our publicity must be to
build up a picture of the Vietnamese Government as
the true National Government of Viet-Nam, and at the
samo time attack the Vict-Minh, The main theme
wust be the incronsing independence of Viet-Nam as
the French rapidly and stage by stage release their
control, as contrabbed with the increasing subser-
vionec of Ho Chi Minh to international communist
imperialism.
The most effective theme, which is
not however suitable for the overseas Chinese
communities, is the impact of Chinese (as opposed
to Russian) imperialism, if we are allowed to take
that line.
2.
Material of Vietnamese origin should always
The
be used in preference to that of Western origin.
same applies to the channels through which publicity
is issued which should be when possible at least
ostensibly Asian. Suitable material originating from
other Asian countries would also be most valuable.
At present India is the only fortile source. The
emphasis should always be laid upon Vietnamese advance
rather than French retreat, and since there is a wide-
aprond distrust of French intentions care must be taken
in using, for example, statements by French politicians
to bring out the factual content, 1.c. the actual
transfer of certain powers or definite timings of
prospective hand-overs. The parts of such state-
mento directed at the French public must if possible,
/be omitted.....