CANADIAN STEPS TOWARDS PEACE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31305, 27 February 1967, Page 13

CANADIAN STEPS TOWARDS PEACE

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

EAST LANSING (Michigan), February 25.

The Canadian Foreign Minister, Mr Paul Martin, said tonight Canada had undertaken steps toward a Vietnam ceasefire by opening a diplomatic channel with Hanoi, the Associated Press reported.

The President of the United States made it clear about 21 months ago that he would welcome intervention of any country that would bring about a cease-fire,” Mr Martin told a Michigan State University audience.

Emphasising that he was speaking for Canada, Mr Martin said: “We have undertaken a certain initiative toward that end. We are firmly of an opinion that there is a role for the International Control Commission.” “NOT INTERESTED”

Canada, Poland and India are members of the commission.

In Washington, U.S. officials said that they continued to welcome efforts by others to bring about a peaceful settlement.

But, they said, North Viet-

nam had made clear through various channels that it was not interested in coming to the conference table except on its own terms. Mr Martin said that both Canada and India shared the view that the time was right for the commission to take a peace-making move. However, he said, Poland still felt the time was not right. Because of the disagreement, Mr Martin said, Canada sent a diplomat, Mr Chester Ronning, to Hanoi in March

and June of 1966 to establish a channel of communications.

“One thing is clear—and this has been established in recent days—the channel which he established continues to be open,” Mr Martin said. “And I’m sure it is because Hanoi feels that in a specific situation, Canada might be able to play a useful role in negotiations.” He declined to elaborate, but added: “It is not possible to conduct diplomacy in the open at all times.”