HEATH, Sir Edward (1916-2005). Prime Minister 1970-1974.
Fine Typewritten Letter Signed to A.J. Goldstaub, 2 separate pages 4to (filing holes in the margin), House of Commons, 19 February 1968. Setting out his policy on the Vietnam War in justification of the motion that he had tabled in parliament ('I had no illusion that in calling for support for the Americans we were taking an immediately popular line.')

'... I have never advocated sending British troops to Vietnam ... what [the Americans] expect, and in my view should receive, is our political and diplomatic support.
'... I am not saying that the Americans have made no mistakes, nor that the South Vietnamese Government is an example of perfect liberal democracy. But the American intervention originally came about because the South Vietnamese asked for help in resisting an attempt mounted from outside to impose upon them by force a Communist system of government. ...'

Heath continues by giving his view that the consequences of an American defeat in Vietnam would be far-reaching and that they 'would be less willing in future to come to the help of their allies.'
[No: 23101]