DATE=7/25/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-217675
TITLE=U-S / VIETNAMESE COMMANDOS (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=ERIN BRUMMETT
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

 // RE-RUNNING TO CORRECT FIRST GRAF OF TEXT -- LAST YEAR STED 
                          LAST MONTH //

INTRO:  THE PENTAGON WILL START PAYING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF 
DOLLARS TO VIETNAMESE COMMANDOS WHO WORKED IN SECRET U-S 
INTELLIGENCE MISSIONS BEHIND ENEMY LINES DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. 
ERIN BRUMMETT HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT:  THE COMMANDOS OR THEIR SURVIVNG FAMILY MEMBERS ARE 
ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH UNDER A 
20-MILLION-DOLLAR FUND AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS LAST YEAR.

THE PENTAGON HAD EARLIER SAID THE GROUP COULD  NOT  BE 
COMPENSATED WITHOUT SUCH AUTHORIZATION BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT 
EMPLOYEES OF EITHER THE U-S OR SOUTH VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS 
DURING THE OPERATIONS.

SOME 500 VIETNAMESE COMMANDOS INFILTRATED NORTH VIETNAM IN THE 
INTELLIGENCE MISSIONS. ABOUT 150 ARE STILL ALIVE.

THOSE  NOT  KILLED WERE IMPRISONED FOR AN AVERAGE OF 20 YEARS -- 
SOME OF THEM BEYOND THE END OF THE CONFLICT IN 1973, WHEN NEARLY 
ALL OTHER PRISONERS OF WAR WERE REPATRIATED. (SIGNED)

NEB/EKB/RRM

25-Jul-97 4:33 PM EDT (2033 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.