§ 34. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he took before deciding to support the United States offer of unconditional negotiations to end the war in Vietnam, to satisfy himself that the United States administration still regarded itself as bound by its pledge to respect the 1954 Geneva Agreements and was prepared to accept the South Vietnam National Liberation Front as a party to the negotiations.
§ Mr. StewartWe maintain constant contact with the United States Government about Vietnam and are indeed satisfied that the Administration is prepared to negotiate on the basis of the Geneva Agreements.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs not my right hon. Friend aware that the United States Government speak of the need for partitioning Vietnam, defending what they call the independence of South Vietnam and crushing the South Vietnamese National Liberation Front? Does he think it reasonable to expect the North Vietnamese Government to enter negotiations on that basis?
§ Mr. StewartI think that it would be reasonable for the North Vietnamese Government to enter into negotiations on the basis which I have very frequently stated in the House. I believe that that is also the view of the United States Government.