“aris by Alan Rooney.
Willie Thompson suggests that the British C. P. has always called for negotiations on Vietnamese terms and not on U Thant's. But is this so? For instance, the 'Morning Star! recently gave uncritical support to those Labour 'Left' MPs' letter which expressed "unqualified British support for U Thant's specific proposals to end the fighting." As to the Soviet Union, it is clear that this country is sending some aid to North Vietnam ( more than any other country is sending). And, undoubtedly, the North Vietnamese are thankful for what they get. I have recently heard at first hand from a visitor to Hanoi that the North Vietnamese are still short of several types of supplies and this is apparently also true of the N.L.F. in South Vietnam, as 'The Week' reported (April 13): "Only last week we received a list of the medical supplies and equipment most urgently required from representative of the N.L.F. in Paris." What is in question is whether the Soviet Union is giving its first political priority to intensifying its solidarity with the Vietnamese resistance. How is the Soviet Union CP going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution this year? - By congratulating itself on a new £1,000 million space project or by following Castro's example: " For our country (Cuba), which recognises that imperialist: is the enemy of all peoples, this bond with Vietnam is facing a life and death struggle, a decisive struggle which is growing in depth and intensity. "For this reason, rather than continuing with words, we would like to make a gesture that will say it to alls that we dedicate this year to Vietnam" ae: "We are going to call this 'The Year of Heroic Vietnam." Prolonged applause. )
Comrades Rintoul and Thompson are in disagreement with me about the past and present showing of the Soviet Union on Vietnam. I am sure that my differences with them could be most effectively resolved if the Soviet Union was to act clearly and unequivocally on a policy which gave the highest priority to solidarity with the Vietnamese resistance. As Castro has said, now is the time for action not words.