U.S. concern for Saigon elections

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32635, 17 June 1971, Page 11

U.S. concern for Saigon elections

(N.Z.F.A.-Beutsr—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Juno 16The Secretary of State (Mr William Rogers) said yesterday that instructions had gone out to United States staff in South Vietnam to ensure the South Vietnam’s Presidential elections in October were fair and honest.

He told a press conference that the instructions had beet) issued by Mr Ellsworth Bunker, the United States Ambassador in SaigonMr Rogers added that the United States was doing everything it could to remain impartial in the election campaign and to sea that the balloting itself was fair. Most of the Secretary of State’s 40-minute press conference was devoted to Vietnam, Mr Rogers refusing to bend to the demands of Conssessional5 sessional “doves” that the .dmipjstration set a terminal date of United States involvement In the war. Mr Rogers reiterated President Nixon’s statements that the United States would

remain in Vietnam until Hanoi released all American iers of war and the Vietnamese had • fair chance to defend themselves. He criticised the former Secretary of Defence, Mr Clark Clifford, for not approaching the Administration with full Information and details backing up his recent statement that North Vietnam would probably release the prisoner* almost immediately after President Nixon had set a date for a complete American withdrawal. The secretory said that reports from Mr David Bnjce, the chief United States nagotitter in Faris, proved to the Administration that Mr Clifford's ease had no validity-