§ Q5. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Prime Minister if, following his recent series of visits, he will make a statement on Anglo-American relations.
§ The Prime MinisterAnglo-American relations continue to be extremely close, and are based on frank and friendly discussions at all levels, here, in Washington and at the United Nations.
§ Mrs. ShortWill the Prime Minister say if those frank and friendly relations and discussions include frank and friendly remarks and points of view expressed about American aggression in Vietnam and Santo Domingo?
§ The Prime MinisterThey cover the problems of Vietnam and of the Dominican Republic. I think that the whole House will agree that it is best 233 conducted on that plane rather than by public statements on this question. If my hon. Friend is concerned to know what attitude we have taken about the Dominican Republic in the latest developments, she is free to study the statement made by my noble Friend, Lord Caradon, at the United Nations last Saturday—it was a very frank statement—and, indeed, to study the text of the resolution my noble Friend tabled at the Security Council last Saturday.
§ Mr. John HarveyDid the Prime Minister notice that his hon. Friend referred to "American aggression"? Would the right hon. Gentleman make it clear to his hon. Friend and to the House that he accepts that the Americans have not been aggressors in this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterThe United States Government and all others concerned know exactly what is the position of Her Majesty's Government on this, which I have made clear—[HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."]—which I have made clear repeatedly in the House. I have made it clear repeatedly in the House that we do not consider it to be aggression. Quite honestly, Anglo-American relations can function perfectly well without the help of the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIn view of the widespread Press reports that President Johnson acts first and informs his allies afterwards, will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister make it quite clear that Her Majesty's Government are fully consulted on all problems of common interest by the United States Government?
§ The Prime MinisterI have answered many questions on Vietnam. I do not think that I need to answer any more in that context. As to the Dominican Republic, on which I think I have answered hardly any at all, it is certainly the case that at all points our views about the handling of the situation have been made known to the President in personal talks with Mr. Dean Rusk, both by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and by myself, and in the frankest exchanges between Lord Caradon and Mr. Adlai Stevenson at the United Nations.