Minh ready to serve

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33063, 2 November 1972, Page 15

Minh ready to serve

(N Z. Pre»« Assn.—Copyright)

SAIGON, Nov. 1

General Duong Van (“Big”) Minh, a nominal leader of South Vietnam’s non-Com-munist Opposition, today urged "a sincere and just national conciliation” to bring peace to Vietnam, and indicated that he was ready to serve in this role. In a statement marking National Day, General Minh said: “History shows that whenever one element seeks the monopoly of leadership, or advocates the suppression of the other elements, then internecine war and division usually result, giving foreign states pretexts for dominance or invasion.

“History also shows that a nation can achieve conciliation in toleration only after it has built a just, prosperous, and tolerant society, in which every group and individual has an appropriate place to contribute to the development of the country.” Indicating that he would be ready to serve in a government of conciliaition. General Minh declared: “Our mission towards the nation remains unfinished. Our responsibility remains, more heavy than ever.” National Day commemorates the overthrow of the late President Ngo Dinh Diem nine years ago, in a coup d’etat led by General Minh, who became Head of State, but was himself overthrown in another coup d'etat three months later, and went into exile in Thailand until 1969. He was a candidate in last vear’s Presidential election, but withdrew, accusing Mr Thieu of rigging the election, and the United States of supporting Mr Thieu.