U.S. WILL ‘SEE WAR THROUGH’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 17

U.S. WILL ‘SEE WAR THROUGH’

Speech By Holt In Canberra

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

CANBERRA, July 18.

President Johnson is determined to see the Vietnam war to a successful finish, the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt, said today. “There may be doubts around the world,” he said.

Mr Holt was addressing the National Press Club at the Hotel Canberra on the. results of his overseas talks with world leaders. Mr Holt said he believed that doubts on the American commitment in Vietnam existed in the Communist world. “They doubt the strength of resolution of the United States President and the leading members of his Administration to see the issue in South Vietnam. “I have no doubt in my mind. “It is not merely because he made it clear in emphatic terms to me. "But it is because of my own assessment of the man and of the very able team of men he has around him.” Unwavering Belief Mr Holt said anti-Vietnam voices in the Western world feed the Communist propaganda machine. But he had an unwavering belief that President Johnson, backed by his Adminis-

tration, was determined to fight on in South Vietnam. The Americans would fight until a peace which met the allies’ concept of justice and fair dealing could be evolved. President Johnson had made it clear negotiations would be welcome at any time. World Order “We are fortunate that there should be in the United States leadership a man of the resolution, clarity of vision and the will to see tins thing through with a view to producing a better world order,” he said. Mr Holt said the question of further commitment by Australia did not arise during his visit overseas. “I can say without any reservation that no additional commitment has been sought of this country,” he said. Mr Holt said that by his phrase “all the way with L.8.J.” he did not mean Australia lacked an independence of mind. Problems ‘Remote’ He said this would be an insult to President Johnson, who was always looking for an exchange of views. Mr Holt said he was surprised at the lack of interest among British people of what was going on in South-east Asia. “For the people of Europe and the United Kingdom, these problems seemed remote and of no great significance," he said. He noticed while in the United States that even though wide publicity was given to the bombings in North Vietnam the people generally showed a lack of interest.