World: National Assembly under the Gun

SOUTH Viet Nam’s legislators are forever fretting about the possibility of domination by the military, and the regime’s action against Deputies Ho and Chau last week proved that their fears are not unfounded. One thing that particularly disturbs the lawmakers is a grotesque, 30-ft. statue of two marines, one of them toting a light machine gun that is aimed straight at the Opera House 30 yds. away, where the Assembly’s lower house sits. When some legislators suggested that the statue had an un savory symbolism, Thieu smilingly agreed to have it removed. But that was six weeks ago. As yet, no cranes or dismantling crews have appeared to remove the concrete and steel marines, who still have the Assembly well covered.