BROOKE WITH PRESIDENT TUBMAN; BROOKE WITH VICE-PRESIDENT TOLBERT; BROOKE ATTENDING LUNCHEON.




Initials JSU/VS/MR/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: UNITED STATES SENATOR EDWARD BROOKE ON A 14-NATION TOUR OF AFRICA RECENTLY VISITED MONROVIA WHERE HE MET AND HAD TALKS WITH LIBERIA'S PRESIDENT WILLIAM TUBMAN.

HIS VISIT FOLLOWS THAT OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT HUBERT HUMPHREY WHO REPRESENTED THE UNITED STATES AT THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT TUBMAN TO HIS SIXTH TERM OF OFFICE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH.

DURING HIS VISIT SENATOR BROOKE ALSO MET WITH LIBERIA'S VICE-PRESIDENT WILLIAM TOLBERT WHO TOOK HIM ON A TOUR OF THE CAPITAL -THE COUNTRY'S SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

IT WAS A FAMILIAR SIGHT FOR MR. BROOKE FOR LIBERIA'S CONSTITUTION IS MODELLED ON THAT OF THE UNITED STATES WITH THE LEGISLATIVE POWER RESTING ON A LEGISLATURE OF TWO HOUSES, THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

LATER MR. BROOKE ATTENDED A LUNCHEON GIVEN IN HIS HONOUR.

IN A PRESS BRIEFING DURING HIS STAY THE SENATOR SAID THAT HE HAD FOUND NO EVIDENCE FROM TALKS AND INVESTIGATIONS HE HELD IN SOUTH VIETNAM AND OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES TO INDICATE THAT THE CESSATION OF BOMBING THE NORTH WOULD BRING ABOUT A NEGOTIATED PEACE IN THE AREA.

THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR REITERATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S POLICY AND ITS COMMITMENT TO SOUTH VIETNAM. HE EMPHASISED THAT THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WAS INTERESTED IN SEEING THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE CHOOSING THEIR WON GOVERNMENT WITH OUT ANY FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.