Delegation Refuses Idea Of Coalition

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31677, 13 May 1968, Page 13

Delegation Refuses Idea Of Coalition

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 12. An official delegation to Washington of the South Vietnam National Assembly has said that any Paris negotiations leading to a coalition government with the Communists, or the “neutralisation” of their country, would not be accepted. The delegation of 11 Senators and Lower House Deputies, said in a joint statement at an embassy news conference: “We long for peace, but we cannot accept an artificial peace or one which means surrender. “As elected representatives of the people of South Vietnam, we are resolved to defend the freedom and the survival of our people, even if it means greater sacrifices ahead.

“We would like to make it clear also that no decision of any conference will be binding upon us if it does not take into consideration the principle of self-determination for the people of South Vietnam." The delegation, representing a cross-section of the South Vietnamese National Assembly, includes Roman Catholics, Buddhists, Cao Dai, members of minority groups, a woman Senator, a retired major-general and a retired colonel, lawyers, an engineer, and a student leader. All describe themselves as “anti-Communist nationalists."

Senator Nguyen Van Ngai, a retired major-general, said: “South Vietnam has no illusions about the Paris talks— North Vietnam’s aim is total conquest.”