VISIT TO SOUTH EAST ASIA 1968
SAIGON_
STATEMENT MADE BY THE
MR. JOHN GCRTON 7 JUNE 1968
Thank you for the warmth of your welcome and for your
generous remarks about my country. I received with great pleasure the
invitation which the Government of Vietnam kindly extended to me soon
after I became Prime Minister of Australia.
I was anxious to make an early visit to Vietnam because
Australia's continuing commitment of men and material to support the
freedom and development of the Republic of Vietndm occupies so large a
part of our thoughts and affects at so many points our Governmental
policies. I believe that my discussions wikH the leaders. of your nation,
and the personal contacts shall make with them, will contribute to
strengthening the friendship between our two countries,
I see this visit as reaff irming Australia's support for
Vietnam. It is also part of the process of consultation Which takes place
frequently, and at all levels, between representatives of our two countries,
and our allies, and which does much to consolidate and improve our common
efforts. Such consultations are of particular importance when, at the same
time as conversations are taking place in Paris, North Vietnamese aggression
is continuing here. I look forward to meeting my countrymen who are now fighting
and working by your side the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Australian
Force Vietnam, our aid experts, and the members of our medical teams
whose humanitarian work exemplifies the co-operation between our two
countries in many fields of endeavour.
I welcome this opportunity to pay personal tribute to the
valour of the Vietnamese people and to the achievements of the Vietnamese
Government in these tragic and difficult times. Australians have admired
what your people have achieved in adopting a constitution, electing a
representative Government and laying the foundations of national reconciliation
and reconstruction regardless of the dangers and complex stresses of war.
We have admired your courage and determination in doing this despite the
campaign of terror designed to deter you. We salute your soldiers for their
sustained defence of their homeland, and their courage in face of the present
offensives. Our deep sympathies go to all those civilians-and soldiers
alike who have suffered because an unwanted and bitter war has been
brought deliberately and callously into their midst. In the face of the
enemy's aim to destroy you it has been your constant purpose to defencd
and, at the same time to build a nation.
Few countries have been faced with such a formidable task.
No country has been more determined to achieve its goals. Our purpose
is to help you to achieve them. / 2
2.
At Manila in 1966, the allied nations clearly expressed
their hopes and objectives for a peaceful settlement of the war in Vietnam,
Our aims have not changed, and no military, political and
diplomatic efforts by Hanoi will undermine our resolve to achieve a lasting
peace under which the people of Vietnam will live in freedom and justice.