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GV EXT, white House
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SCU Nixon
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TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 2: NIXON: The ceasefire should encompass not only the fighting in Vietnam but in all of Indo-China. Conflicts in this region are closely related. The United Stats has never sought to widen the war. What we do seek is to widen the peace. Finally, the ceasefire should be pat of a general move to end the war in Indo-China. A ceasefire in place would undoubtedly create a host of problems in its maintenance. But it's always ben easier to make war than to make a truce. To build an honourable peace we must accept the challenge of long and difficult negotiations. By agreeing to stop the shooting we can set the state for agreements on other matters. A second point of the new initiative for peace is this; I propose an Indo-China peace conference. At the Paris talks today we're talking about Vietnam. But North Vietnamese troops are not only infiltrating, crossing borders and establishing bases in South Vietnam, they are carrying on their aggression in Laos and Cambodia as well. An international conference is needed to deal with the conflict in all three states of Indo-China. The war in Indo-China has been proved to be of one piece -- it cannot be cured by treating only one of its areas of outbreak. The essential elements of the Geneva accords of 1954 and 1962 remain valid as a basis of settlement of problems between states in the Indo-China area. And we shall accept the results of agreements reached between these States. I ask the other side to join us in a search for a political settlement that truly meets the aspirations of all South Vietnamese. Three principles govern our approach. We seek a political solution that reflects the will of the South Vietnamese people. A fair political solution should reflect the existing relationship of political forces in South Vietnam.And we will abide by the outcome of the political process agreed upon.




Initials SAW/BOB/CO/1.00 SAW/BOB/SGM/0054



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: President Nixon outlined his latest peace plan for the Vietnamese war yesterday evening (Wednesday). Speaking on nationwide television in the United States, the President's new proposals include a call for a ceasefire and an Indo-China peace conference.

The President's five-point plan has already met with a cool reception from North Vietnamese and National Liberation Front delegates at the Paris peace talks. In part of his statement Mr Nixon said: