FOR PRESS-: 66/ 0
P. M. 1, o. 7/ 1966
RESUMPTION OF BOM~ BING IN NORTH VIET NAM
Statement by the Prime Minister. Mr. Harold Holt
President Johnson has made a statement about the
resumption of bombing in North Viet Na,, a directed against
installations and transport routes used for the conduct of
warfare in South Viet Nam.
The bombing was suspended in December, even though
an earlier pause in bombing last May had evoked no positive
response, and even though there were strong military reasons
for the continuance of bombing. The North Vietnamese authorities
had, for a period of months, increased the rate of infiltration
of armed men to South Viet Nam. In the last six months of
1965, many thousands of North Vietnamese soldiers entered South
Viet Nam as units and equipped for open warfare.
The purpose of the bombing has been not to destroy
the regime in Hanoi or break the economy of North Viet Nam, or
to shatter the basis of the people's livelihood, uit to damage or
destroy those military installations and facilities which enable
Hanoi to supply and support its own forces in the South and those
of the Viet Cong. The suspension of the bombing was of a very subtantial
military and political significance. It meant a self-imposed
denial by the United States of the use of a valuable military
weapon. It was part of a programme of action designed to
encourage North Viet Nam to turn back from its course of
incrc; asingly open military intervention in South Viet Nam. Having
suspended the bombing, the United States undertook active
diplomatic efforts to make knwn its genuine wish for an end to
the warfare and for discussion leading to a just solution by
peaceful means. Governments of communist countries and of nonaligned
countries which might possess some influence in Peking
and Hanoi were approached. Direct contacts were made in some
capitals where the United States and North Viet Nam were both
represented. From Washington and Saigon, the Australian Government
was kept fully informed of these developments. Mr. Averell
Harriman visited Canberra for discussions with us. The approaches
made by the United States were widely welcomed throughout the world,
but regrettably, brought no sign of any disposition on the part
of the other side to modify its determination to continue the war.
On the contrary, the North Vietnamese took advantage of the
respite from bombing to repair and improve their system of / 2
2-
infiltration. considerable volume of traffic has passed through
this system into South Viet Narn. Certainly in larger volume and at a
faster rate than would have been possible if bombing had been
continued to impede it.
Private contacts brought forth no positive responses.
Peking, Hanoi and the Liberation Front have denounced the United
States efforts, describing them as a manouevre to cover up an
intensification and expansion of aggressive war in Viet Nam. The
Liberation Front pledges itself " to make greater efforts to strike
harder at the heads of the aggressors, deal them heavier punishments,
and make them realise that their only honourable path at the present
time is a quick withdrawal from South Viet Nam."
The latest United States initiatives have-thus been
rejected as summarily and emphatically as have other efforts made in
the past. It has consistently been the view of the Australian
Government that N~ orth Viet Narn must not be permitted to remain a
haven immune from military risk, from which military aggression
against the South can be mounted with impunity. Because we believe
North Viet Namn cannot be left free to mount military operations
against South Viet Namn and against the American, Australian, New
Zealand and Korean soldiers who are helping to defend the country, we
firmly support the American decision as realistic and necessary.
It remains our hope, however, that the North Vietnamese and those
associated with them will recognise that their aggression will not
be allowed to succeed. We must hope that the time is not distant
when they will join in finding a just and peaceful solution.
While the aggression continues, it will be met firmly by resistance
in which Australia will play its part. 1N1kneo w that the United States
will remain alert and ready to explore any indication of willingness
on the other side to move towards a settlement on just terms.
The United States readiness in this respect is
indicated by the request of the United States Government for an
urgent meeting of the Security Council toconsider the situation in
Viet Namn.
CANBERRA, 1st February, 1966.