N.Z.L.P. VIETNAM POLICY ‘Military Disengagement, Moral Responsibility'

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31341, 11 April 1967, Page 3

N.Z.L.P. VIETNAM POLICY ‘Military Disengagement, Moral Responsibility '

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 10. America was fighting for her reputation in Vietnam and this was the prime reason behind her continued presence there, said Dr. A. M. Finlay, in Auckland today.

Dr. Finlay (Opp., Waitakere) who was addressing a meeting of members of the University Students’ Association, said the original issues in that country had become obscured by the necessity of prestige and the ability to keep face.

Dr. Finlay was speaking in place of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) who could not attend because of business in his own electorate. Dr. Finlay said that other reasons were put forward by the Americans to justify their continued presence, but they were all of lesser importance and motivated only a minority. They were the need to contain China, the need to protect South Vietnam’s integrity and democracy, and that South Vietnam was a link in the American strategic defence set-up. But the question of prestige and face-saving also applied to the Viet Cong and the National Liberation Front. They believed that the American people would become weary and want to withdraw, and they had an indefinable element which kept them going. The nearest he could come to it was faith, for they lacked weapons and heavy transport, their food rations were meagre and little medical attention could be given to their wounded. Cannot Win “The Viet Cong simply cannot win militarily. The range of armaments available to them simply puts this right out of court,” said Dr. Finlay. “I don’t think the Americans can win militarily either unless they obliterate the whole country.” It was not a question of communism, for few of the captured had any notion of what communism was or was not. Neither side, he said, wanted peace except by capitulation of the enemy. Neither was prepared to do this and consequently each side kept turning the screw by supplying more of that which had already failed. Gesture Sought The New Zealand Labour Party policy was one of military disengagement while at the same time recognising that it had a moral responsibility to the country. While it was easier to go in than to get out he believed that just such a gesture was needed. “There is too much hypocrisy about this. Too many countries are fearful of the economic power and capacity of the United States, and the ability it has for subtle reprisals against those who don't go along with it entirely. “Even at the risk of some undeniable loss of favour we have a responsibility to our-

selves, our consciences and our children to make this gesture. “If we don’t then we are caught up in endless escalation,” said Dr. Finlay. While not advocating a complete withdrawal he wanted to see a scaling down, a stabilising of the existing secure areas, and pushing forward of the “revolutionary development scheme” which the Americans had declared to be one of their intentions. The result might be a situation of simmering belligerence for a period with perhaps some external presence, but it would mean a drastic reduction in arms.

Social Example By bringing stability and democracy to the area the allies would have a Chance of conquering the foe, not by military vigour but by social example. If this were to happen it would be a situation which would readily lend itself to United Nations supervision, he said. The criticism levelled against the United Nations was that it had misconceived its true role in the world today. Dr. Finlay said he did not believe that the United Nations should concern itself so much with the cold war as with the wide and increasing gap between the rich and poor nations —or to put it broadly, the difference between the white and coloured nations.

U.N. Assessment He was “profoundly disturbed” by the recent statement of Mr F. H. Corner (the New Zealand Ambassador-de-signate to the United States) that he considered the United Nations to be “groggy and paralysed,” and that the “whole outfit should be thrown overboard in favour of a Pax Americana.” The Americans were a likeable people but they had an undeniable touch of arrogance about them and some of this had rubbed off on Mr Corner. He felt the role of keeper

of the world’s conscience sat very unusually on Americans’ shoulders. “Some of the newer members of the United Nations must be allowed to make their mistakes but we must

learn to tolerate and understand and help them,” said Dr. Finlay. “The world would then become a better place where all nations were treated as firstclass citizens.”