Vietnam Allies Conduct Review Of War

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 24

Vietnam Allies Conduct Review Of War

(N.Z. Preu Asm — Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 21. The United States and its six allies yesterday began a review of the Vietnam war amid indications that at least some of the allies, including New Zealand, would like to reduce troop contributions in South Vietnam. The Secretary of State (Mr William Rogers) convened

:the meeting of America’s I Vietnam war allies at the United States mission to the United Nations. Arriving for the strategy session, the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) acknowledged that his country would like to reduce its troop contribution. “We would hope to see a reduction of the New Zealand troop contributions but, of course, we cannot put a time schedule on it,” he told reporters. Mr Holyoake commented

i approvingly on the troop re- , ductions announced earlier by President Nixon. ! “We think that the United , States has been carrying a disproportionate load. When 1 the time comes, and it has ’ come, it is quite proper that ' United States forces should be withdrawn before the others,” he said. Mr Holyoake seemed doubtful of the value of any new diplomatic initiative at the Paris peace talks at present “I never had any great confidence that anything would come out of Paris, though, of course, the door must be kept open," he said. He blamed the lack of progress at the negotiating table on the Communists. He said the Communists did not want real negotiations.