PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS WI~
P. M. No. 5/ 1967
MEETING BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN CABINET
AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF VIET NAM, AIR
VICE MARSHAL KY
Prime Minister Ky and members of his government met with
the Australian Cabinet this morning.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Holt, in introducing Air Vice
Marshal Ky paid a special tribute to the leadership the Prime Minister had
given Viet Nam at a most difficult time in its history. He expressed the
hope that the visit of Air Vice Marshal Ky and his Vietnamese colleagues to
Australia would further strengthen the good relations existing between
Australians and the people of South Viet Nam and promote a fuller understanding
of the dangers and difficulties the Government of South Viet Nam faced,
and the progress being made in overcoming them.
Air Vice Marshal Ky thanked the Australian Prime Minister
and Government for the opportunity given to visit Australia and meet
personally with Australians in their own country.
Prime Minister Ky outlined the progress his government was
making on all aspects of the development of stability and progress in Viet Nam.
He reported on steps taken in South Viet Nam since the Manila Conference
to implement the policy of the clear-and-hold operations of the South
Vietnamese Army and reported the encouraging improvement In the overall
military situation. The Vietnamese representatives explained in some detail
the programme for developing administration within the newly-liberated
areas in order to render them secure and ensure their social and economic
progress. Air Vice Marshal Ky thanked Cabinet on behalf of the
Government of Viet Nam for the action taken in sending Australian
servicemen to Viet Nam and expressed the gratitude of the South Vietnamese
people for the various Australian measures of economic and technical
assistance, including Colombo Plan, the SEATO Aid programme, the Army's
civic action programme and the work of voluntary aid, and particularly the
work of Australian surgical and medical teams. The continuing needs of
the population were described.
Prime Minister Ky outlined to Cabinet the advances made
towards the establishment of a new constitution for South Viet Nam.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Holt, Informed Air Vice Marshal
Ky that the Australian Government was encouraged by the Vietnamese report
and confirmed Australia would continue to give practical assistance and
support to the efforts of the Vietnamese Government and people to establish
peace and stability in Viet Nam. An open door was always left for negotiations
with the Government of Hanoi, and the Prime Minister noted that the policy
in this respect, outlined at the Manila Summit Conference, would continue
to stand in the future. The Prime Minister thanked Air Vice Marshal Ky
and members of the Vietnamese Government for their review of the situation
in Viet Nam and expressed the hope that they would enjoy a successful and
happy visit In Australia.
CANBERRA, 19th January, 1967.