The time: possibly a few weeks from now. The negotiations in Paris have been successful, and a cease-fire has been declared in Viet Nam. But instead of peace, there is a spate of small-scale skirmishes as both sides make a frenzied rush to claim contested land. Every day there are reports of assassinations—of both South Vietnamese government officials and suspected Communist sympathizers. Almost every town in the land is subjected to a cacophony of demonstrations, celebrations and parades. There is also a deadly serious war of flags, as each side plants its banners in as many villages as possible, and tears down those of its opponent. By the time the proposed international supervisory commission arrives, "peace" in Viet Nam has become another kind of war.
That scenario is not entirely imaginary. On the evidence of captured Communist documents and the public and private edicts of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, it is the most probable aftermath of any ceasefire. Both sides have for months been preparing for a tumultuous, violent postwar war that will determine the political future of South Viet Nam as much as any battle of the past.
Within 72 hours after an agreement is signed in Paris, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces plan a coordinated charge into Saigon-controlled cities, villages and rural hamlets. The crack North Vietnamese 7th Division, stationed north of Saigon, has had standing orders since October to "force enemy personnel to withdraw. Gain control of many more hamlets. Motivate the people and support them to rise up, kill tyrants and break the enemy's oppressive control." Another Communist directive orders units to "incite inhabitants to engage in street demonstrations to welcome the victories of the revolution," and to "lead enemy troops' dependents to their relatives' posts to urge them to desert and return home."
The Communists have been meticulous in planning a takeover of the key city of Danang, according to captured documents. When the agreement is broadcast, Communist troops will execute a two-part plan. Some units will make a concerted military assault on the city's police and militia posts. At the same time, other troops will "hang peace flags and lanterns, fly flower-decked balloons and hold unicorn dances [traditional Vietnamese dance at a time of joy], entertainment shows and peace-float processions to create an enthusiastic atmosphere and rally a large number of people. In the event the enemy represses the demonstrators," the directive adds, "we will carry the corpses of the demonstrators to city hall."
Banner Battle. To subvert any strictures on new arms shipments, the Communists have ordered that weapons and munitions plants hidden in the jungles of Cambodia and Laos be smuggled piecemeal into South Viet Nam. (For much the same reason, tons of equipment on U.S. bases have been formally donated to the South Vietnamese, then "loaned" back.)