No “Magic Formula” For Vietnam Peace

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31345, 15 April 1967, Page 1

No “Magic Formula” For Vietnam Peace

(New Zealand Preu Association)

WELLINGTON, April 14.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said today he did not expect any “strikingly new peace proposals” to be put forward at next week’s seven allied nation conference on Vietnam in Washington.

“I certainly have no magic formula,” he said. Mr Holyoake emphasised: “New Zealand will lend its full support to any effort which offers any reasonable prospect of bringing the conflict to the conference table.” Mr Holyoake leaves Auckland for Washington on Saturday night Mr Holyoake said a large part of the problem lay in convincing the that their brutal campaign to conquer South Vietnam would not succeed.

“For that reason,” he said, “I would expect to see in all forums in Washington a reaffirmation of intention to do whatever is necessary by way of military support to ensure that the people of South Vietnam are left free to decide their own future.” He reiterated that the New Zealand Government had no present intention of further adding to the country’s military contribution in South Vietnam.

“No proposals are before it at the present time,” he added. Earlier Statement

But Mr Holyoake told a press conference this afternoon: “I don’t rule out sending more troops at any time

—depending on the existing circumstances and our capacity—but I don’t visualise it”

Asked if there were any “doves or hawks” among Cabinet Ministers over New Zealand’s military involvement in Vietnam, the Prime Minister replied: “I know of no differences whatever within the Government I cannot

recall any shades of difference in opinion.” The S.E.A.T.O. Ministerial Council meeting will be held on April 18-20, the Vietnam conference in the afternoon of April 20, and the following morning, and the A.N.Z.U.S. meeting on April 21-22. The Prime Minister will return to New Zealand on Anzac Day.