ABSTRACT
The United States (US) was hostile to the Geneva Conference from the beginning. Immediately a political settlement was achieved the US adopted a policy of shoring up the Diem government and abetting it in its refusal to hold negotiations with the north. China too gave limited support to Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam (DRVN) initiatives. The DRVN adjusted to these setbacks by adopting a long-range policy of building up international contacts and awaiting more favourable circumstances. The partitioning of Viet-Nam must be seen as a fundamental factor influencing Party policy because for the first time it became impracticable for the Party to pursue the same objectives throughout the country. Restrictions on the use of armed force severely hampered the Party's underground in its attempts to defend itself. Decision-making was an interactive process by which party officials on the Central Committee had to consider the input demands of various sectors in the light of existing priorities, limited resources and poor communications.
