Fuelling the War is available in two formats; in book format from Amazon or downloadable here as an e-Book in PDF format (800k)(for €5 payable via Payal).

The book deals with the last stage of the Vietnam War, 1972 - 1975, after the departure of all American troops, and after the conclusion of a peace agreement between North and South Vietnam. Military and other aid to North Vietnam from outside, however, proved an irresistible incentive to resume the war. While American aid to the south, statistically speaking, seemed to be falling off a cliff as US congress had lost all interest in supporting their allies, Soviet and Chinese aid, in keen competition with each other, kept pumping up the North Vietnamese army.

The avoidable defeat of the democratic republic of South Vietnam and the consequent disappearance of the democratic legacy did not spell the end of suffering. New wars ensued with Cambodia, Laos and China.

The decision making in civilian, military and personal spheres is vividly portrayed by an insider of the Saigon government/military/diplomatic circuit. As President of Shell Vietnam, the author was responsibile for 50% of fuel supplies to the country. Oil served as paymaster to an underpaid army.

In all third world conflicts, and now also in the Iraq war, similar problems confront foreign sponsors/participants; the tenacity of local fighters on home ground against expensive Western forces, under the glare of international media and public opinion. The Vietnam experience is being repeated in the Middle East. Lessons have not been learnt.