asked the Minister for External Affairs if the Government have conveyed any views to the United Nations or to the Government of the United States on incursions of South Vietnamese in association with American forces into Laos.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vietnam Conflict.
11.
The Government's policy on the conflict in Viet-Nam and on its extension into neighbouring countries, is well known. This position was set out by me in a statement on 4th May, 1970, following the extension of the war in Cambodia. I do not wish at this time to add anything to the general principles outlined in that statement.
Arising out of the Minister's reply—we are quite safe; this is not on the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis paper—has he any word of condemnation at this time of the invasion of a neutral country by the South Vietnamese Government with the active assistance, guidance and control of the United States? Has he even read the very forceful speech by Senator Edward Kennedy which is reported this morning?
We cannot have a debate on this question. The Deputy may put a question.
Surely the Deputy is aware that the Government deplore and have deplored many times the escalation of the war. I do not feel any useful purpose is served by recriminations against one side or the other. It would be a distortion of facts to say that the escalation of the war is altogether the responsibility of one side.