Johnson ‘Hiding The Truth'

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31236, 7 December 1966, Page 21

Johnson ‘Hiding The Truth '

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright! SPOKANE (Washington), December 4.

Dr. Linus Pauling, a Nobel prize winner, accused President Johnson today of hiding the truth regarding pleas for peace negotia* tions in the Vietnam war, says United Press International.

“President Johnson’s statement that we are ready for unconditional negotiations in Vietnam is so far from the truth—so misleading—that it can be characterised as a lie,” said the chemist in an interview.

Continuing a theme presented on Friday in Corvallis, Oregon, Dr. Pauling said: “The fact is the United States Government refuses to enter into negotiations with the Na.

ional Liberation Front a South Vietnam—our principal enemy.” Dr. Pauling agreed with Senator Wayne Morse that “we have to negotiate with the National Liberation Front.”

Peace Citation The Government’s refusal to negotiate with the N.L.F.. Dr. Pauling added, “is an effort on the part of the Pre. sident to support the contention that we are helping the South Vietnamese to resist North Vietnamese aggression.”

Dr. Pauling said: “The facts, however, are quite clear. The war is essentially revolutionary, involving the major portion of the people of South Vietnam fighting against what they consider an oppressive Government dominated by a foreign power—the United States.”

Dr. Pauling won the Nobel award for chemistry in 1954 and the peace citation in 1963.