The Paris Peace Conference on Vietnam war was an intense and tough struggle held for a long time that had never seen before in the history of negotiations.
In the diplomatic negotiation, the struggle against the American of the Vietnamese people showed the revolutionary school of diplomacy. We combined diplomatic struggle with military and political struggle, and had a combination of “fight and negotiation” in an active position. The Vietnamese diplomats were very courteous, consistent and brave so that the American had to sign the Paris Peace Accords (1973). This was a diplomatic victory that built the independence and freedom for Vietnam and a result of a persistent intransigent diplomatic process.
The view of the Conference on Vietnam war, took place in Paris, France. (Documentary photo. The Vietnam National museum of History - VNMH)
The historical circumstance
In the Cold War period, the Domino Theory led the American to join in the Vietnam war and make Vietnam split. In the most drastic day war, President Ho Chi Minh once said: “Nothing is more precious than Independence and Freedom”. The words of Uncle Ho as an encouragement that promoted all the Vietnamese people and soldiers in the national salvation. In the General offensive and uprising in Spring 1968, the American had to accept the negotiation on ending Vietnam war. In the circumstance, President Ho Chi Minh proposed a strategic guideline: “For Independence and Freedom, let’s make the American get out of Vietnam and the Followers failed”. At that time, the right of independence and freedom was a trend that all people in the world supported, so it was an advantage for the national salvation of the Vietnamese people and the base for the Vietnamese diplomats to discuss in the Paris Peace Conference.
The Paris Conference and the revolutionary school of diplomacy of Vietnam
Special Adviser Le Duc Tho and the Minister Xuan Thuy before the negotiations at the Paris Conference (Documentary photo. VNMH)
Vietnam had the revolutionary diplomacy opposite to the diplomacy depended on millitary and economy of the American. In the negotiation, the American used a number of excellent diplomats, such as: Harriman, Kissinger, Cabot Lodge, etc. However, from Vietnam, the Minister Xuan Thuy, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh and the Adviser Le Duc Tho showed excellent diplomatic skills and gained the initiative on the table:
1. Combine diplomacy with military and political struggles and negotiation.
2. Keep the independent point of view of the Vietnam Communist Party to gain victory in the conference.
3. Negotiate for gathering international power, impact into the enemy:
In the discussion, Ministry Xuan Thuy, Nguyen Thi Binh upheld a justice stance, the rational solution, taking advantage of international public opinion, the anti-war movement in the U.S. Those things made the American go to concessions step by step.
4. Gain the active position in the negotiation and aimed to the target of struggle
In the negotiation, Adviser Le Duc Tho took the initiative and showed exquisite opinions so that Mr. Kissinger had to admit that he was a respectable opponent.
5. Master the opportunity, gain victory step by step, go to the final victory
The Paris Peace Accords was one step of the general victory that made the U.S. stop the war in Vietnam and the U.S. soldiers withdraw. However, the Accords was built on 3 victories in 3 fields: military, politics and diplomacy and it was the first victory that led to the Great victory in Spring 1975.
The special imprints of Vietnamese diplomats at the Paris Conference
The Minister Xuan Thuy with confident attitude, wrote revolutionary poems. He was an excellent diplomat and a tactical negotiator. He was called “a diplomat of people” with the famous smile “Xuan Thuy’s smile”.
The special adviser Le Duc Tho was very flexible and intellectual in the negotiation so that Mr. Kissinger was impressed by him. In 1973, Mr. Le Duc Tho and Mr. Kissinger were awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace but Mr. Tho refused the award because the peace hadn’t came to Vietnam yet.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh – The Foreign Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of South Vietnam signed the Paris Accords, January 27th 1973 (Documetary photo. VNMH)
The Minister Nguyen Thi Binh, the only woman in the negotiation, had strong suggestions and exquisite style on diplomacy. The image of her with the famous smile was called “the victory smile”.
Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh – The Foreign Minister the Democratic Republic of Vietnam signed the Paris Accords, January 27th 1973 (Documentary photo. VNMH)
The Paris Peace Conference held 40 years ago was an important victory in the Vietnamese history. The revolutionary diplomacy of Vietnam showed the true of it. There were imprints of some excellent diplomats from Vietnam. Somehow, the Paris Accords was signed that showed the victory in negotiation of Vietnam and it was a lesson on protecting the national independence and the international solidarity.
Tran Thi Phuong Thao (summarized)
Mai An (translated)