asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he discussed this country's attitude to the continuation of the Vietnam war at his recent meeting with the South Vietnam ambassador; the attitude expressed; and whether any request for a token force of Irish troops was made by the ambassador.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vietnam War.
10.
The South Vietnamese ambassador to Britain, whom I agreed to see at his request, wished to explain his Government's view of the situation in Vietnam. It is not our practice to disclose the content of conversations of this kind, which are confidential. I can say, however, that the ambassador made no request for a token force of Irish troops.
Apart from whatever topics the Minister discussed with the ambassador, can the Minister visualise whether our delegation this year at the United Nations will be calling for a withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam?
That is a separate question. It does not arise on Question No. 10.
The Minister and ambassador discussed the Vietnamese conflict. I merely asked the Minister if this would have any consequences in regard to the attitude of our delegation in the coming session of the UN.
We will be dealing with this matter at the UN. I have made it a practice not to say beforehand what we will do.
Is there any reason why the Minister cannot give us an indication of what our delegation might do in the autumn following this discussion?
No, I do not think I should say.
They do not know what the Government policy is?
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Question No. 11.
Would the Minister not agree that he has made it a practice not only of not declaring in advance what his policy on this subject is, but also of not declaring it at the United Nations, where it should be declared? In view of the fact that the patience of most people is exhausted in regard to this war, will the Minister finally say something at the United Nations and express the strong feelings in the country that the American forces should be withdrawn? Will he inform the Americans in advance, if that is what he intends to do, because it might do some good?
My predecessor made our position quite clear.
Minister, please.
May I ask the Minister——
I have on record here everything my predecessor——
The Minister knows his predecessor hedged his bets and the Minister is hedging them too.
May I ask the Minister if the ambassador came here to win support for his country? Is that the reason he came over to this country?
The ambassador asked me to hear him and I heard him. Since the Deputy has raised the matter I should like to make it quite clear, in case there is any misunderstanding, as happened before—there was some propaganda made out of a Red Cross contribution by Ireland for humanitarian purposes—there is no basis whatever for any propaganda to be made from this visit of the ambassador. He just told me his country's position and I listened to him.
I have called Question No. 11, Deputy Garret FitzGerald:
The Minister wanted to answer that supplementary and could we ask him to answer it.
I am obeying the Chair.
I am calling Question No. 11.
The Minister wanted to answer that supplementary.
I am in the hands of the Chair and everybody should be in the hands of the Chair.
The Minister is a fine brawny infant to be in the hands of the Chair.