INTERVIEW: AN EXCHANGE WITH VICE-PRESIDENT HUMPHERY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP73-00475R000400380001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 17, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 1, 1966
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

3TAT R AMPAR TS
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/12/17: CIA-RDP73-00475R000400380001-2
February 1966
Interview:
AN EXCHANGE
WITH
VICE-PRESIDENT
HUMPHREY
by Robert Scheer
... the winner
is of no concern
to us..
The Johnson Administration, despite
continual reiteration of its offer of "un-
conditional discussions" on Vietnam, has
left the main questions unanswered. Is the
United States willing to negotiate a settle-
ment which would allow the people of
South Vietnam to determine whether it is
to be the government in Saigon, the Viet
Cong, or some combination of these or
other forces which shall govern them?
Would "our" side be willing to negotiate
such a settlement with the Viet Cong? If
the answers are negative, then the United
States has imposed a very real condition?
Hanoi's prior acceptance of the illegiti-
macy of the N.L.F. (Viet Cong).
On December 4th a group including
Special Forces veteran Don Duncan (see
page 15), University of California Mathe-
matics Professor Morris Hirsch and my-
self raised these questions in an interview
with Vice-President Humphrey at Moffett
Naval Air Station. We felt that his answers
deny the Administration's professed desire
for a fair and negotiated peace. The meet-
ing was closed to newsmen and although
the Vice-Presidential staff recorded the
interview, we were refused a copy. The
partial transcript which follows was com-
posed from our notes.
QUESTION: 1) Is the United States willing
to negotiate with the N.L.F.?; 2) Does the
United States favor free elections in which
the N.L.F. would participate and would
these elections be recognized if the N. L. F.
won?
HUMPHREY: The Administration's policy
has long been one of self-determination
and free elections in Vietnam; the winner
is of no concern to us. If and when there
is peace, elections will be held.
QUESTION: Would the elections be recog-
nized if the N:L. F. won?
HUMPHREY: The Communists cquld never
win a free election. Do you have any other
.for people,
not for lerrorist
groups...
...a band of
wandering
minstrels ?
questions, gentlemen?
QUESTION:: Mr. Humphrey, if the N.L.F.
did win, however, would we abide by
the results?
HUMPHREY: The United States Govern-
ment does not engage in 'ifs: Do you have
any other questions?
QUESTION: Do you favor free elections in
which the N. L. F. could participate?
HUMPHREY: The Viet Cong is not a legiti-
mate political force; it is an illegitimate,
subversive, terroristic organization, sup-
plied, directed and controlled by a foreign
government.
QUESTION: Would the United States allow
the N.L.F. to participate in free elections?
HUMPHREY: The Viet Cong is not a legiti-
mate political party; elections are for peo-
ple, not for terrorist groups. We would
like to see elections held under the aus-
pices of the United Nations or some other
non-partisan organization.
QUESTION: According to article 14 of the
Geneva Accords, democratic liberties of
all persons and organizations are to be
upheld. Is not the N.L.F. a political
organization?
HUMPHREY: We believe in the freedom of
political parties, but there is a difference
between peaceful and terroristic, subver-
sive parties.
QUESTION: Why has there not been a clear
statement made regarding the United
States' willingness to negotiate with the
N. L. F.?
HUMPHREY: We will negotiate with the ?
North Vietnamese and whomever they I
bring in. The United States negotiates
only with governments, not with a band
of wandering minstrels.
QUESTION: But a peace was negotiated
with the Viet Minh in 1954 and the Pathet
Lao in 1962, and neither group was a
government.
Huainan,: The N.L.F. is not recognized
as a government.
neclassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/12/17 : CIA-RDP73-00475R000400380001-2