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Digging In. The Communists believe that the U.S. "intends to transform [South Viet Nam] into an outpost to prevent the revolution from spreading down to Southeast Asia." Because of congressional opposition, Watergate and economic woes, the Communists concede, "it is difficult for the U.S. to return to South Viet Nam." Nonetheless the directive cautions against ruling out the possibility.
Observes one longtime analyst of Vietnamese affairs: "What is remarkable about the document is its conservatism." Indeed, there are other indications that the Communists are digging in for the long haul. Apparently they have no strong hopes that they can topple the Saigon regime in the foreseeable future.