CO537-6578 — Page 78

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.....