Support for Thieu strong

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32700, 1 September 1971, Page 17

Support for Thieu strong

(N.Z Press Assn.—Copyright) ' SAIGON, Aug. 31. i With official tabula- . tions complete for 140 of sthe 159 seats in South ' Vietnam’s Lower House - election, President Thieu ! appeared certain today i to retain solid control of r the legislative body.. ' The only doubt about the I size of Mr Thieu’s majority ; is raised by the large number , of newly elected deputies, ' whose political affiliations I have yet to be established. Known supporters of Mr . Thieu won 58 of the 140 i seats decided, and 32 Opposi-

tion deputies, 3 Independents, and 47 deputies of unknown allegiance were also elected. Most of the latter, however, are from the Mekong Delta region, which Mr Thieu carried easily, and political analysts believe that the bulk will turn out to be supporters of the President’s policies. Of the 119 incumbents standing for re-election, 34 regained their seats, including 18 Opposition deputies, 14 pro-Govemment deputies, and . two Independents. Mr Thieu controlled about two-thirds of the 133 seats in the old House. The increase in the number of seats from 133 to 159 reflects the expansion of Government control and the creation of additional legislative districts since the last election, in 1967. The main interest has been focused on the showing of pro-Government candidates as a reflection of Mr Thieu’s political strength—a

factor he is expected to consider before making a final decision to run as the only candidate, in the Presidential election in October. Mr Thieu had talks with the United States Ambassador (Mr Ellsworth Bunker) for more than an hour last night, presumably to discuss the known results of the Lower House election and Mr Thieu’s plans for the Presidential balloting. Mr Bunker and the United States Government are reported to be prepared to accept, but with serious misgivings, Mr Thieu’s intention to run unopposed. . Among the strongest supporters of Mr Thieu reelected is Mrs Nguyen Thi Hai, from the province of Long An, who runs a pharmacy in Saigon. Another is the former Speaker of the House, Mr Nguyen Ba Luong. The Deputy Speaker and former running-mate of General Minh, Dr Ho Van Minh, was also re-elected.