DATE=7/25/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-217675
TITLE=U-S / VIETNAMESE COMMANDOS (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=ERIN BRUMMETT
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
// RE-RUNNING TO CORRECT FIRST GRAF OF TEXT -- LAST YEAR STED
LAST MONTH //
INTRO: THE PENTAGON WILL START PAYING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS TO VIETNAMESE COMMANDOS WHO WORKED IN SECRET U-S
INTELLIGENCE MISSIONS BEHIND ENEMY LINES DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.
ERIN BRUMMETT HAS THIS REPORT.
TEXT: THE COMMANDOS OR THEIR SURVIVNG FAMILY MEMBERS ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH UNDER A
20-MILLION-DOLLAR FUND AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS LAST YEAR.
THE PENTAGON HAD EARLIER SAID THE GROUP COULD NOT BE
COMPENSATED WITHOUT SUCH AUTHORIZATION BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT
EMPLOYEES OF EITHER THE U-S OR SOUTH VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS
DURING THE OPERATIONS.
SOME 500 VIETNAMESE COMMANDOS INFILTRATED NORTH VIETNAM IN THE
INTELLIGENCE MISSIONS. ABOUT 150 ARE STILL ALIVE.
THOSE NOT KILLED WERE IMPRISONED FOR AN AVERAGE OF 20 YEARS --
SOME OF THEM BEYOND THE END OF THE CONFLICT IN 1973, WHEN NEARLY
ALL OTHER PRISONERS OF WAR WERE REPATRIATED. (SIGNED)
NEB/EKB/RRM
25-Jul-97 4:33 PM EDT (2033 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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