(6 of 6)
In the view of most experts, the Communists will move cautiously if unswervingly toward their principal goals in Viet Nam. Politically, they will probably try to incorporate as many of the neutralist and religious groups as possible into a new revolutionary government—but one that will, no doubt, be dominated by its Communist representatives.
Even the Communists' ultimate goal, reunification with the North, will probably await a fairly long transition period, about three to five years. Mme. Binh herself last week emphasized that North-South differences "in the economic and political field" will require "a certain period of time to realize reunification." Highly capitalistic and individualistic, the South will no doubt have to undergo some profound changes before it can be successfully assimilated into the socialist, collectivist society of the North. "The North fears the seductive life of the South, compared with the disciplined, austere, spartan life in the North," says one State Department Viet Nam specialist. "They do not want their people contaminated."
This was strikingly evident in Danang, held by the Communists for five weeks. French Reporter Roland-Pierre Paringaux cabled to TIME after visiting the city last week: "The foreign observer immediately notices the amazement of the young revolutionary soldiers who look like hillbillies in front of an Ali Baba cave that still spews diverse riches and gadgets from an essentially American and Japanese consumer society. Drab, in uniform without decorations or grade, shod in rubber-thonged sandals, they are visibly astonished by these elegant, made-up young women, by these people their age astride Hondas. Also incredulous are the people of Hanoi, who for 20 years have lived in austerity, when they see in their newspapers pictures of the store windows of Danang. The two parts of Viet Nam are like Sparta and Byzantium; they are like the two ingredients of a sweet and sour sauce, difficult to mix so that it will remain tasty for all."
Achieving the mix will require considerable sacrifice, pain and, very likely, a strong dose of coercion. Still, along with the fear that drove thousands into flight or attempted flight, much of South Viet Nam could only feel relief that the war was over. For the first time since French boats steamed into Danang in 1858, the nationalistic and proud Vietnamese, North and South, creators of splendid past civilizations, were rid of any foreign presence. For the first time since the Japanese conquest of 34 years ago, there was peace.
To some South Vietnamese, of course, the Northerners would remain foreigners for a long time; and to some. Communist rule in their land would bring only an uneasy peace.