§ 16. Mr. Luardasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will propose international supervision of the new elections now officially proposed in the Vietnam peace talks.
§ 39. Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in his capacity as co-Chairman of the Geneva conference to arrange international supervision of the elections now officially proposed in the Vietnam peace talks.
§ Mr. M. StewartInternational supervision of elections in Vietnam has already been proposed both by President Thieu and by President Nixon but has so far been rejected by the other side. I hope that their objections will be withdrawn.
§ Mr. LuardIs it not a fact that one of the main points in dispute in the present Paris peace talks is under what Government or under what supervision elections in Vietnam should take place? Is not an obvious way to resolve this dispute to have the U.N. supervising the elections in South Vietnam?
§ Mr. StewartYes, I am bound to say that this seems to me an entirely reasonable proposal.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsIs it not, however, a fact that the United Nations have shown a remarkable reluctance so far to become involved in this difficult problem? Is not the heart of the matter that there should be some internationally supervised security system that would 1219 prevent infiltration and police any ceasefire which may take place?
§ Mr. StewartI think that is so. Indeed, I expressed views very similar to that a number of years ago. But it now rests, I think, very much with what I described as the other side to see if they are willing to accept a reasonable proposal.
§ Mr. Philip Noel-BakerWas not international supervision of the elections an essential part of the agreements of 1954, and have not all parties accepted those agreements?
§ Mr. StewartI think all parties have accepted them in name. We have now reached a stage where it is important to see how many parties will accept them in fact.