The main purpose of the ICC was to oversee the implementation of the Geneva Accords, which ended the First Indochina War and brought about the partition of Vietnam. It monitored the observance of ceasefires and reported any violations. The organization consisted of delegations of diplomats and military personnel from Canada, Poland, and India, representing the non-communist, communist, and non-aligned blocs, respectively.
Although the ICC started well, the irreconcilable positions of the involved parties soon made it largely irrelevant in the face of an increasingly active conflict. However, it survived as a communications link until the Paris Accords were signed and it was reconvened as the International Commission for Control and Supervision.
It is important to note that the ICC is distinct from the Joint Commission, which was responsible for overseeing the ceasefire and ensuring peace in the region. The primary duties of the ICC, as stated in the treaty, were to control the movement of armed forces, supervise the demarcation lines and demilitarized zones, oversee the operations of releasing prisoners of war and civilian internees, and supervise ports, airfields, and frontiers to ensure the execution of the provisions of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities.
However, the ICC had limited power compared to the Joint Commission and was primarily tasked with conducting studies and writing reports. The Joint Council could request the ICC's opinion but was not obligated to consider it. This lack of governing power led to criticism from the public, who expected the ICC to have a greater role in the region.
One of the first actions of the ICC was to separate Vietnam into two zones, controlled by the People's Army of Vietnam in the North and the French Union in the South. This division ultimately led to the colloquial terms North and South Vietnam. The ICC oversaw this process, which required significant manpower and resources due to the large number of people wanting to move.
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