MANDEL REPORTS IN BOMBAY ON WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL WORK
Bombay
Ernest Mandel, editor of La Gauche and convener of the Belgian National Committee in support of the International War.Crimes Tribunal, said in Bombay on February 3 that there was no justification for anybody to plead ignorance about "the terrible crimes of American imperialism in Vietnam."
The crimes were being brought to public attention every day, Mandel. said, by eminent persons wha yisited Vietnam, and who were known for their impartiality. and integrity. Mandel. was ‘Speaking to.the Bertrand Russell Committee of Bombay, which has just been formed here bo" ‘Support the War Crimes Tribunal.
The Belgian editor expressed his disappointment that in India the press ana other communication media reported so little of the happenings in Vietnam. This was in contrast to the massivé. protests within the United States itself against the imperialist aggression in Vietnam. ‘Even in countries like Belgium, which are members of NATO and thoroughly subservient’ to the U.S. government , there have been big protest demonstrations.
Mandel .said that the International War Crimes Tribunal was likely to hold its sessions not only.in Paris ‘and.London but also in many other cities of the world. V.V. Prasad, chairman of the Committee of One Hundred, who presided, said that this committee has already invited the International War Crimes Tribunal to hold its sessions on Indian soil. .
Prasad also- announced the formation of a Bertrand Russell Committee of Bombay in support of the International War Crimes Tribunal. He said that the Committee of. One Hundred was-in touch with like-minded people in New Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Trivandrum and Hyderabad, and that similar Bertrand Russell committees would be formed in these cities in the next few weeks.
_. Mandel - explainea that “the. ‘International War Crimes Tribunal would find answers for the, following questions:
(1) Has the United States government (and the governments of Australia, New Zealand and South Korea ) committed acts of aggression according to international law?
(2) Has the American army made use of or experimented with new weapons or with | weapons forbidden by laws of war (gas, special chemical products, napalm, etc:)?
(3) Has there been bombardment of targets of purely civilian character, for ex-: ample, hospitals, schools, sanatoria, dams, etc., and on what scale has this occurred?
(4) Have Vietnamese prisoners been subjected to inhuman treatment forbidden by the laws of war and in particular, to torture or mutilation? Have there been unjustified reprisals against the civilian population, in particular, the execution of hostages?
(5) Have forced labour camps been created, has there been deportation of the population or other acts tending to the extermination of the population, and which can be characterised judicially as acts of genocide?
Prasad said that the Committee of One Hundred in Bombay have urged an eminent Indian to serve on the War Crimes Tribunal and thus ensure proper geographical representation for this body. After the formation of different regional committees, he added, a National Bertrand Russell Committee to Support the International War Crimes Tribunal will be formed with the participation of all the regional committees. He expected to announce the National Committee early in March -- in time for the Paris session of the tribunal. He said that the Bertrand Russell committees would be set up not only in all state capitals but also in many cities and towns all over the country. "Our target is one hundred Bertrand Russell committees by the end of 1967. This is a modest target, and we hope to overfulfill our plan," he declared.
He referred to Bertrand Russell as "a magic name in India," with a mighty following among the intellectuals and humanitarians of India -- philosophers, mathematicians, economists, historians, sociologists, scientists, writers and even politicians.
Replying to the question, "Why Bertrand Russell committees?" he said: "The aim of these committees is to.focus our attention on Vietnam. Vietnam is a beacon light in the struggle against the enslavement of mankind. Vietnam is a model for all the countries of Asia and Africa and Latin America -~ and even Europe. There is a clear attempt by American big business and the Pentagon and the American government ponay fo enslave mankind for the sake of steady profits to the giant corporations of the U.S.A., which
employ hundreds of generals and other military officials as directors and top executives -- including designations ranging from president to sixth vice-president."
. WAS JOAN BAEZ | A