SUMMARY OF THE PRESIDENT'S VIETNAM SPEECH FOR AMBASSADORS BUNKER, BRUCE, GODLEY AND SWANK

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-448-6-4-4
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: March 2, 2010
• Sequence Number: 4
• Content Type: REPORT

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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/02: LOC-HAK-448-6-4-4
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Swrnr-a of the Presidentts Vietnam S eaech
rear Ambassadors Bunker, Brace G and Swank
In his Wednesday night television speech, the President
will announce a major new initiative for peace which will be placed
on the Paris conference table Thursday morning by U. S. Ambassador
Bruce and South Vietnam Ambassador Lam. He notes that the now
peace initiative has the full support of the governments of South
Vietnam, Lis and Cambodia.
The initiative Us five elements, ceaeollre in place;
Indochin Peace Conference; U. S. willingness to negotiate an agreed
timetable for complete withdrawals as part of an overall settlement;
a political settlement based on principles first described an April 20;
and the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of war.
Ceasefire
The President will propose that all armed forces throughout
Indochina cease firing their weapons and reematar in the positions they
now held. He calls for immediate negotiations, and while the, proposal
is put forward without preconditions, he says that the Bellowing general
principles should apply.
A cssa.ftren
-- mast be effectively supervised by international observers
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/02: LOC-HAK-448-6-4-4
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as by the parties themselves;
-- should allow no increase in foreign combat forces in
any of the nations of Indochina;
- - should cause all kinds of warfare to stop, from bombing
to acts. of terror;
should encompass not only the fighting to Vietnam but
is all of Indochina; and
-- should be part of a general move to end the war.
Indochina Peace Conference
The President states that an international conference is
needed to deal with the conflict in all three states of Indochina. The
essential ?le>eits of the 19% and 1962 Geneva Accords remain valid
as the basis for settlement of problem between states in the Indochina
area. The Paris talks will ressaia our primary forum for reaching a
negotiated settlement until such time as a broader international
conference producer serious negotiations.
wit 'a'ir &I*
The President states that we are prepared to withdraw
completely as part of an overall settlement based on the principles he
has spelled out previously and the proposals he is making in this speech.
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/02: LOC-HAK-448-6-4-4
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Political Settlement
ks the other side to join us in a search for a settlemanent.
Three principles guide our approachs
-- 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.
-- We will abide by th# outcome of the political process
agreed upon.
Tb. President points out that the other side is not objecting to a few
Pe
oealities but rather seeking to dismantle the organised non-
communist forces in, South Viotnsm and .shludee whomever they wish
frem gov.rmnsat. This is totally weacceptablo.
Prisoners of War
The President proposes that all prisoners of war, without
exception sad w 0bout condition, be rsions d new to return to the
place of their choice. He adds that all journalists and other innocent
civilian rims of the conflict should be released as well.
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No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/03/02 : LOC-HAK-448-6-4-4