FOR PRESS PM No. 102/ 1970
MR WHITLAM'S ATTITUDE ON VIETNAM
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Comment by the Prime Minister, Mr John Gorton
Mr Whitlam's statement that there is no military
rationale for the presence of Australian troops in Vietnam is
illogical and endangers the chances of success of the President's
peace efforts. The rationale for an Australian military presence
is that it is necessary to have a military presence until a settlement
giving self-determination to South Vietnam is achieved.
A withdrawal of all Allied troops now, merely
because an offer of negotiations has been made ( and not yet
accepted) would be the equivalent of capitulation, an abandonment
of the object of securing self-determination for South Vietnam,
and an encouragement to the North Vietnamese to refuse to enter
into negotiations. A unilateral withdrawal of Australian troops would
have a similar effect and would in addition be an abandonment of
our Allies and of the people of South Vietnam.
CANBERRA, 9 October 1970
Gorton, John
Period of Service: 10/01/1968 - 10/03/1971
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Release Date:
09/10/1970
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
2308
Document:
00002308.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Gorton, John Grey
MR WHITLAM'S ATTITUDE ON VIETNAM INITIATIVE - COMMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR JOHN GORTON
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