Ed Rasimus wrote in message . ..
On 3 Sep 2004 09:13:45 -0700, (Fred the Red
Shirt) wrote:

Ed Rasimus wrote in message . ..
On 2 Sep 2004 10:59:49 -0700, (Fred the Red
Shirt) wrote:


Does this not imply that Linebacker II accomplished nothing worthwhile?


I've got several hundred POW friends that might like to discuss that
with you.


Your friends might have been home for Christmas 1972 had the SVN
agreed to the accords in October 1972. The SVN continued to
hold out foir awhile even AFTER the NVN returned to the table.
The seminal event that brought them home was the agreement to
the accords by the SVN.

That's a pretty selective interpretation of history. The fact is that
bombing north of 20 degrees was halted in late October when there was
agreement to sign. In late November, the agreement had not been signed
by the North and they walked out of Paris.

Which stil makes it seem rather obvious that it was the SVN resistance
to the Accords that prevented them from being signed in October 1972.
Offhand, I can't say as I blame them.


Had the SVN relented befor Linbacker II AND the NVN reneged then
the efficacy of Linbacker II would be pretty well established.
As it is, we can only speculate.

You can speculate, I was a participant, and the POWs were on-scene
observers. I can find a direct causative relationship between getting
the crap kicked out of them for eleven days and crying "uncle", then
signing and in very short order releasing the guys.

Respectfully, you were not a participant in the negotiations in
Paris. However you have convinced me that that Linbacker II brought
the NVN back to the table. Clearly that was necessary for the Accord
to be signed and that the SVN held out longer (we weren't bombing them)
doesn't change that.