Bonds of free Asian unity were drawn tighter with the May 30-June 3 visit of Nguyen Van Thieu, the President of South Vietnam, to the Republic of China as the state guest of President Chiang Kai-shek. President Thieu came to Taiwan from South Korea, where he had spent four days as the state guest of President Park Chung Hee.
In military terms, the Republics of China, Korea and South Vietnam are by far the strongest of free Asian powers. Their combined armed forces exceed 2.2 million men, nearly equal to the strength of the Chinese Communists' "people's liberation army". So the agreement of Presidents Thieu and Chiang on the nature of the threat to regional security is a matter of great importance.
The joint communique concluding President Thieu's visit said the two leaders had given particular attention to developments in Asia and the Pacific. "They discussed at length problems arising from developments concerning the Communist regime," said the communique, "as well as ways and means of defending free Asian nations against Communist expansion and aggression. They both considered the Mao regime in Peiping as the source of most of the troubles now plaguing countries in Asia and its warlike policy as the cause of grave threat to Asian security and world peace."
Complete unity was reached on the steps to be taken in the attainment of world peace. "The people of the Republic of Vietnam must be assured of perfect freedom to exercise their right of self-determination through democratic and constitutional processes without external interference or terrorist pressure," the two Presidents said. They agreed that coalition government is out of the question and then declared: "In view of the Communists' policy of expansion and their long record of violations of international agreements, the two Presidents agreed that an eventual peace settlement of the Vietnam war should include an effective system of verification and supervision and a solid system of guarantees against renewed Communist aggression."
President Thieu, accompanied by Madame Thien and an official party of 13, arrived at Sungshan International Airport in the Vietnam presidential Boeing 727, Thanh Long (Blue Dragon), the afternoon of May 30 and received a red carpet welcome. He was greeted by President and Madame Chiang, other top leaders of the Republic of China and the assembled diplomatic colony. A 21-gun salute reverberated against the hills just north of the airport and the two chiefs of state stood at attention for the playing of the national anthems.
Welcoming members of the Chinese Executive Yuan (cabinet) were headed by Vice President C. K. Yen. Spanish Ambassador Julio de Larracoechea, doyen of the diplomatic colony, extended best wishes. Mayor Henry Kao presented the key to the city of Taipei. Some 70 Vietnamese citizens waved the flags of their country in greeting.
President Chiang Kai-shek welcomed his handsome 46-year-old guest in these words:
"The visit to the Republic of China of Your Excellency and Madame Thieu and your distinguished party is a significant event in the history of Sino-Vietnamese relations. I extend a heartfelt welcome on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China.
"It has been too long since last we met. All this time I have been holding you in the highest esteem. In recent years Your Excellency has successfully led the military and civil populace of the Republic of Vietnam in resisting aggression, stabilizing their society and reconstructing your country. The Republic of Vietnam has become the beacon light of hope in Southeast Asia's anti-Communist struggle and the region's endeavors to secure freedom and independence. I am happy that your visit will give us the opportunity to talk together once again.
"Geographically, the Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of China are neighbors. We also have had a close cultural relationship. The people of our two countries love peace and respect freedom and democracy. Today we are both suffering the brunt of Communist attack and are seeking to rescue compatriots compelled to live under Communism's yoke. Our two countries are to be regarded as brothers confronted by the same dangers and difficulties. Your Excellency's arrival at this particular moment is a matter of great moment.
"My government has arranged an itinerary that will give Your Excellency and Madame Thieu an opportunity to see something of this island and will give our people the chance to see and be inspired by you. Madame Chiang joins me in the warmest of welcomes and sincere good wishes for a pleasant and constructive visit."
President Thieu responded:
"Thank you very much, Mr. President, for your most kind words of welcome.
"We are very happy to come to your Republic, this bastion of freedom in Asia, which, thanks to the brilliant leadership of Your Excellency and the unshakeable determination and hard work of your people, has become one of the most prosperous countries in Asia.
"I bring to you, Mr. President and Madame Chiang, from the government and people of Vietnam, our most cordial greetings and warmest wishes for the continued happiness and prosperity of the Chinese people.
"The friendship which unites our two Republics is based on our cultural affinities, our close association and cooperation, and on the awareness that the free nations of Asia are facing a common challenge from Communism aggression and expansionism.
"We salute in you, Mr. President, the authentic leader of the Chinese Revolution. You have helped establish and consolidate the Chinese Republic and led the Chinese people to victory in World War II. Long before the world was aware of the Communist dangers, you fought the Communist enemy and exposed his deceits.
"The conscience of free men cannot be at peace, the real stability and peace of Asia will not be secured, as long as your compatriots on the mainland continue to be oppressed by a regime so contrary to your millenary civilization and to the true aspiration of the Chinese people.
"The occupation by the Communists of the Chinese mainland is a tragedy of Asia. Faced with chaos, poverty and terror on the Chinese mainland, you have established a prosperous and happy society here.
"I have great admiration for the Republic of China and look forward to having with Your Excellency a thorough exchange of views on the problems of mutual concern. I know I will learn much from your wisdom and wide experience and from the achievements of your Republic.
"It is my earnest hope that my visit and our exchanges of views will reinforce even further the close cooperation and mutual understanding between our two nations.
"Mr. President, Madame Chiang, we thank you once more for your very cordial welcome."
President Thieu addressed this special message to the free Chinese people:
"The end of the Second World War brought about the immense hope that at long last peace would be secured, freedom assured to all nations and that all our efforts could be devoted to the building of a better world and the improvement of the lives of people everywhere.
"But taking advantage of the longing for peace by everyone after a long war, adroitly subverting a free world still imperfectly aware of Communist dangers, using cynical and ruthless tactics, the Communists succeeded in establishing their tyrannical and aggressive regime on the mainland of China. The disastrous consequences of that tragic event are limitless and continue to be felt.
"In the Korean War, the Peiping regime committed blatant aggression and defied the United Nations.
Today it actively aids Communist N.V.N. in its aggression against the R.V.N. If Communist expansionism and imperialism are permitted to continue unchecked, they will spread all over Asia.
"Madame Thieu and I have looked forward to this visit to express in person our admiration to your leaders, to learn from your experiences and to get better acquainted with the many great achievements of your country.
"We hope that our visit will permit our two Republics, united by ancient cultural ties, similar traditions and common ideals, to strengthen even further the bonds of friendship already existing between us, to increase our contacts and expand the fields of our cooperation.
"We firmly believe that in unity and close cooperation, the free nations of Asia will find the necessary resources and the moral strength to face the Commnist challenge, 'to defend freedom and preserve the spiritual values of our ancient civilizations.
"To all the citizens of free China, we are happy to bring the warmest greetings and most sincere wishes from the people of the Republic of Vietnam."
More than 50,000 people lined the streets from the airport to the Grand Hotel, where President Thieu and his party stayed. The Vietnam leader received Vice President Yen and Foreign Minister Wei Tao-ming and conferred the Order of Ching Chin (Golden Jar) second class on the latter. In the late afternoon President and Madame Thieu called on President and Madame Chiang at the Shihlin residence. President Chiang decorated President Thieu with the Order of Brilliant Jade With Grand Cordon and Madame Thieu with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds. A reception was held after the presidential summit. Foreign Minister and Mrs. Wei were hosts at dinner.
The China News viewed the Vietnam chief executive's visit as an ideal prelude to Midway meeting between Presidents Thieu and Nixon. The paper said:
"Of all the people in the world for whom the Republic of China would like to roll out the red carpet, none ranks above President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam.
"President Chiang Kai-shek's state visitor is the man who today symbolizes the whole struggle of the free Vietnamese people to frustrate the Communist conspiracy and assure a future of freedom, democracy and peace. He also stands for the free Vietnamese determination not to yield to any pressures for coalition government or any other fatal compromises.
"President Thieu comes to Taiwan from discussions with South Korea's President Park Chung Hee, another staunch anti-Communist ally, and he will be conferring with President Nixon at Midway Island a few days after leaving Taipei. The talks between Presidents Thieu and Chiang are obviously of the greatest importance.
"At Seoul, Presidents Thieu and Park agreed that there should be no withdrawal of allied forces from South Vietnam without the assurance of an acceptable peace. They also stipulated that all of the Vietnam allies should participate in any peaceful settlement of the war and in planning the subsequent withdrawal of foreign forces.
"The Republic of China is not a member of the Vietnam war alliance. But as President Thieu and his people are aware, that is only because of the apprehension of some of those fighting the war that the involvement of free Chinese troops might elicit a response from the Chinese Communists.
"Favorable free Chinese response is assured in the event of any request for assistance from President Thieu's government. Similarly, the South Koreans are almost certainly prepared to increase their troop commitment to South Vietnam in the event that should become necessary.
"Such strong and concrete support from the Republics of China and Korea means that President Thieu will enter the Midway talks with a strong hand. He will be able to say, in effect, that South Vietnam is not alone, and that free Asian backing is stronger, not weaker. While opposing American withdrawals before peace has been guaranteed, he will be able to tell President Nixon that Vietnam is prepared to fight on regardless of what Washington decides to do about the disposition of its manpower.
"American inside and outside the Nixon administration have recently been saying that Asians should accept increased responsibility for their own defense and that they also should take over the lion's share of what remains of the Vietnam war. With the pledges of China, Korea and probably Thailand in his pocket, President Thieu will be in a position to say that Asians are prepared to carry through the conflict to victory, provided only that the United States ·continue material assistance and an unyielding front against the conspiracies of Hanoi, Peiping and the Viet Cong.
"All free Asians join in hope that President Nixon will not retreat one step in South Vietnam, that the present complement of Americans will stay there until the Communists give up and get out. In doing so, the United States will be keeping faith with its own war dead, with South Vietnam and with the rest of free Asia.
"However, Asians understand the relentless pressures that President Nixon is facing. Irresponsible politicians are doing everything within their power to capitalize on the American wish for peace. If the war drags on into the 1970s, President Nixon's own political fate will be at stake. He may be compelled, as President Johnson thought he was, to make decisions and take actions that conflict with his better judgment.
"This is where stronger Asian unity becomes crucially important. In the last analysis, the United States cannot and would not compel the government and people of South Vietnam to accept a peace that they considered suicidal. Yet the Americans might decide that they had to de-escalate their own role in the war still farther. The knowledge that other Asians stand ready to back up the growing South Vietnamese forces would give President Thieu's government the strength and the resolution to stand firm against the Communists and even against neutralist tendencies that might emerge at such a moment.
"President Thieu will hear from President Chiang, as he did from President Park, the total, unshakeable determination of free Asia's top leaders not to permit the Communists to take over another country. He will see in Taiwan's thriving economy and powerful military arm, as he did in Korea's, that free Asia has the brawn to back up the dictates of its heart.
"The Vietnam chief executive's journey is perfectly timed. He will go to Midway with new confidence and courage."
President Thieu began May 31, the second day of his visit, with the laying of a wreath at the Martyrs' Shrine honoring war heroes and those who gave their lives in ,the National Revolution. He then went to the Executive Yuan to call on Vice President and Prime Minister Yen and the other members of the cabinet and receive a briefing on the Taiwan economy. His next stop was the Presidential Office in downtown Taipei, where he had his second summit meeting with President Chiang: The chiefs of state conferred for more than an hour.
"The briefing introduced such subjects as land reform, farmers' associations, irrigation system, industrialization, application of U.S. economic aid and technical cooperation with South Vietnam. President Thieu asked numerous questions and these were answered by Vice President Yen. A South Vietnamese land reform program was announced after President Thieu's return to Saigon.
Discussions between the Vietnamese and Chinese chiefs of state were longer than scheduled. Sitting with President Thieu were Special Envoy Nguyen Phu Duc and Minister-Charge d'Affaires of the Vietnam Embassy in Taipei Nguyen Van Kieu. Assisting President Chiang were Presidential Secretary-General Chang Chun, Chief of Staff to the President Admiral Ni Yue-si, Foreign Minister Wei Tao-ming and Chinese Ambassador to South Vietnam General Hu Lien.
In the afternoon, President Thieu visited the head quarters of the Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen and was briefed on its activities. Madame Thieu's day was spent in visits to the Hua Hsing Children's Home, the Chen Hsing Rehabilitation Center and the Veterans General Hospital at Shihpai. She joined with the President in receiving representatives of the Taiwan Vietnamese community, then attended a dinner given in their honor by President and Madame Chiang at the Chungshan Building (honoring Dr. Sun Yat-sen) on scenic Yangmingshan (Grass Mountain).
President Chiang told his guests that the Republics of China and Vietnam are fighting the same enemy and must therefore demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and mutual assistance. He praised President Thieu's leadership in the Republic of Vietnam's struggle for national survival. Noting the close ties between China and Vietnam, he said 'both had become the victims of Communist aggression at a time when they were endeavoring to recover from the destruction of World War II.
Both the Chinese and Vietnamese peoples respect freedom and justice, President Chiang said. They are hard-working, can endure difficulties and will never shrink in the face of aggression, he added. The Chinese leader "said that Asia is the center of gravity in today's world situation and that the root of Asian troubles is in Peiping. Free men will support the national unification and reconstruction endeavors of the Republics of China and Vietnam, he said, and difficulties will only strengthen the determination of both countries and peoples.
President Thieu declared that Communist usurpation of the mainland resulted from "undue concessions" that the Soviet Union obtained from the United States and Great Britain at Yalta in 1945. His words appeared to be a warning against compromise in the Vietnam conflict.
President Chiang was aware, the Vietnamese leader said, "that the solution to the Chinese civil war in the late 1940s was not the formula of a coalition government with the Communists nor an integrated army". The Communists, he continued,' "were unable to take over the mainland by the smooth device of subversion from within and had to resort to brutal force. They succeeded because of the important help they received from across the border, made possible by undue concessions which the Russian Communists had received at the Yalta conference in which you took no parts".
"The history of Communist expansion is the history of a series of shattered illusions against which you had given serious warnings," President Thieu told President Chiang. "First, the illusion during World War II that Stalin's Communist Russia would loyally cooperate with the Allies after the war was over to build a peaceful and harmonious world. Then the illusion that Mao Tse-tung and his companions were only liberal reformers."
Illusions still threaten the security and survival of the free world, he went on. "A major one is the belief entertained by a segment of international public opinion that Communist China could become a responsible member of the world community if only it were admitted to the United Nations and there were more mutual exchanges between the free world and Peiping.
"Another grave illusion is the belief harbored by some people that (North Vietnam President) Ho Chi Minh could become a Tito of Southeast Asia to constrain the Peiping regime and that the Communists would eventually give up their expansionism . and dreams of world conquest.
"Our material power is limited, but perhaps a contribution the ancient nations of Asia can make to the cause of freedom is our patient resistance to Commonism and our intimate knowledge of the nature of its threats." President Thieu said Asian and world peace and security cannot be assured until "China, the largest nation on earth has been restored to freedom".
South Vietnam's first couple attended Catholic mass on Sunday morning, June 1, with Archbishop Stanislaus Lokuang officiating. President and Madame Thieu then flew to Taichung and motored from tllat central Taiwan city to picturesque Sun Moon Lake located at a cool 2,500 feet in the foothills of the Central Mountain Range. They stayed at Taiwan's favorite resort overnight. President Thieu had a 90-minute talk with Defense Minister Chiang Ching-kuo, the elder son of President Chiang. A lake trip was called off because of rain. President Thieu watched the storm over the lake and said the setting was as beautiful as he had expected. Minister Chiang was host for dinner. Also invited were Vietnam Foreign Minister Tran Chanh Thanhl, Special Envoy Nguyen Phu Duc arid Ambassador to Vietnam Hu Lien.'
President and Madame Thieu followed separate schedules during their fourth day, June 2. The chief of state visited the Tsaotun Farmers' Association and was briefed on its operations. More than 30,000 residents of the area ignored rain to welcome President Thieu, who shook hands with many of those waiting to greet him. At Chung Hsing New Village, the seat of the Taiwan Provincial Government, President Thieu was greeted by Governor Huang Chieh and, briefed on the island's agricultural development. Vice President Yen was luncheon host and guide for the morning and afternoon of rural visitations. President Thieu said he favored the free Chinese way of land reform and opposed Communist reform by violence. He said that Taiwan reform had been democratic and effective. In the afternoon he stopped off at a Lungching land consolidation project, then returned to Taipei.
Madame Thieu had gone back to Taipei earlier and visited the headquarters of the Chinese Women's Anti-Aggression League founded by Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Her guides were Mrs. C. K. Yen, wife of the Vice President, and Miss Pi Yi-shu, the executive secretary. She expressed thanks to Madame Chiang and other Chinese women's leaders for a cash and clothing drive that assisted victims of Vietnam Communist aggression. In the afternoon, Madame Thieu went shopping for made-in- Taiwan products.
Evening brought the last state dinner, given by President and Madame Thieu for President and Madame Chiang at the Grand Hotel. President Thieu told the gathering that Vietnam peace cannot be restored by empty talk. "We shall have a durable peace," he said, "only when the Communists realize that they cannot conquer by force and that they will be severely punished if they persist in their aggression. He warned the democracies against appeasement, saying: "The free world cannot afford to let a minority of dissenters and doubters sap its strength from within." Given the choice, he said, all men will choose freedom.
President Chiang toasted the health of President and Madame Thieu and pledged the full support of the Republic of China in free Vietnamese efforts to promote the peace and security of the Asian and Pacific region.
President Thieu had his third and final talk with President Chiang the morning of Tuesday, June 3, and then met the press previous. to his departure for Saigon. These were among his points: .
-South Vietnam will never accept a phony peace or a coalition government with the Communists.
-Freedom and independence are not negotiable. South Vietnam will fight on for them.
-His own peace plan and that of President Nixon are essentially the same. He said that President Nixon had not sought to impose a coalition government on South Vietnam.
-Gradual withdrawal of American forces from South Vietnam is desirable as the South Vietnamese grow strong enough to take over.
-President Chiang agrees with him that the Vietnam situation is vital to the security of Southeast Asia and that the loss of South Vietnam would be disastrous for free Asia and the free world.
-He would be pleased to have more Chinese technicians sent to South Vietnam to help implement land reform.
The communique of Presidents Thieu and Chiang said in part:
"The two Presidents exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and common concern in a most friendly and cordial atmosphere. The Vietnamese ministers who accompanied President Nguyen Van Thieu also had discussions with their Chinese counterparts with a view to achieving greater cooperation between the two countries in various fields of endeavor.
"The President of the Republic of Vietnam gave an account of the important developments which had taken place in Vietnam during the past 12 months elections of the Supreme Court and the Inspectorate, consolidation of political stability, progress in pacification and rural development, adoption of a new phase of revolutionary land reform program, elections of village councils and hamlet chiefs throughout the country, achievements in the social and economic fields -and of the determined efforts made by his government and people to defend the country against Communist North Vietnam's aggression, to repel the Communists' repeated waves of offensive and to thwart Communist subversion from within.
"The President of the Republic of China expressed his admiration for the courage and determination shown by the people of South Vietnam in their struggle to safeguard their independence and freedom and to build democracy under very difficult conditions due to Communist subversion, terrorism and sabotage. President Chiang also expressed his gratification at the progress of the Republic of Vietnam under the leadership of President Nguyen Van Thieu in strengthening itself in all areas of national effort.
"President Nguyen Van Thieu was greatly impressed by the remarkable economic and social advancement of free China. He also praised the Republic of China's success in achieving one of Asia's fastest growing economies, which is a source of inspiration to all freedom-loving peoples, in sharp contrast to the plight of the population under Communist rule on the Chinese mainland.
"President Nguyen Van Thieu also expressed his admiration for free China's successful land reform and policy of economic development, which is based on free enterprise and government planning.
"The two Presidents reviewed recent developments in the Paris talks and noted that the Vietnamese Communists have continued to obstruct a peace settlement by making preposterous demands for abolition of the Republic of Vietnam's Constitution, dissolution of its National Assembly and reorganization of its legitimate government. They maintained that the people of the Republic of Vietnam must be assured of perfect freedom to exercise their right of self-determination through democratic processes without external interference or terrorist pressure.
"They also maintained that the existing popularly elected and legitimate government of the Republic of Vietnam must be respected and that the absurd demands by the Communists for the organization of a coalition government must be resolutely rejected.
"In view of the Communists' policy of expansion and their long record of violations of international agreements, the two Presidents agreed that an eventual peace settlement of the Vietnam war should include an effective system of verification and supervision and a solid system of guarantees against renewed Communist aggression.
"In reviewing the existing world situation, the two Presidents paid special attention to recent developments in Asia and the Pacific. They discussed at length problems arising from developments concerning the Chinese Communist regime as well as ways and means of defending free Asian nations against Communist expansion and aggression.
"They both considered the Mao regime in Peiping as the source of most of the troubles now plaguing countries in Asia and its warlike policy as the cause of grave threat to Asian security and world peace.
"The two Presidents warned other free nations against entertaining any illusion that they could live in peace with the Chinese Communists by recognizing the Peiping regime and accepting it as a member of the United Nations.
"The two Presidents reaffirmed their support of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. They recognized the value of regional arrangements for peace and security such as those envisaged in Article 52 of the United Nations Charter.
"On the situation in Southern Asia, the two Presidents considered that Communist infiltration, subversion and aggression remain a major threat to the peace and security of this region.
"They shared the view that the outcome of the struggle in Vietnam in which the Vietnamese forces and their allies are engaged would have a profound effect throughout Asia and other parts of the world.
"The two Presidents viewed with grave concern the continued violation by Communist North Vietnam of the neutrality of Laos and Cambodia, through the continued presence of North Vietnamese forces in Laos and their use of Laotian territory for sending troops and supplies into South Vietnam and Thailand.
"The two Presidents reviewed the progress made by the Asian and Pacific Council and noted that ASPAC has been instrumental in promoting closer cooperation among its member nations. They agreed that their cooperation should be further increased.
"After reviewing the broad pattern of relationship and the obvious result of cooperation between the Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of China, the two Presidents welcomed the prospects of widening contacts between the two countries in economic, social and cultural fields and agreed that their two governments should give every encouragement possible toward this end.
"President Nguyen Van Thieu expressed deep appreciation for the economic and technical assistance which the Republic of China has provided the Republic of Vietnam in recent years.
"The two Presidents noted with satisfaction that the solid bonds of friendship existing between the two countries have been strengthened in recent years through closer cooperation in various fields and agreed that the two governments should continue to cooperate fully with each other in the pursuit of their common objectives for a secure and lasting peace based on freedom and justice.
"President Nguyen Van Thieu expressed his deep appreciation to the government and people of the Republic of China for the warm reception and cordial hospitality extended to him and Madame Nguyen Van Thieu and all members of their party during the visit."
In a departure statement, President Thieu told President Chiang:
"I thank you wholeheartedly for your most cordial hospitality.
"This visit will be a very memorable one for me in many regards.
"It has provided me with an opportunity to realize by first-hand observation the great economic and social progress that the Republic of China has achieved under your leadership, for the happiness and prosperity of your great nation. We are proud of your achievements because they bolster the cause of freedom and demonstrate that only a free society can safeguard the ancient spiritual values of Asia and at the same time promote rapid and harmonious progress.
"I value particularly the exchanges of views which I had with Your Excellency in the past few days and I have acquired, thanks to you, more experiences.
"Members of our two governments also had very fruitful conversations which hopefully would lead to art even closer cooperation between our two countries in various areas.
"In the few short days, everywhere we went, we were very warmly received, and we could feel the genuine affection of the Chinese people for which we are very grateful.
"We are confident that this visit will serve to strengthen even further the close friendship between our two nations."
Decorations were given by the Chinese government to the 13 members of President Thieu's entourage.
To Minister of Foreign Affairs Tran Chanh Thanh went the Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds. General Kao Van Vien, chief of the joint general staff, received the Grand Cordon of the Order of Precious Tripod. Dang Ngoc Trail, presidential chief of protocol, was given the Special Cravat of the Order of Brilliant Star.
The Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Star went to Defense Minister Nguyen Van Vy, Economic Minister Au Ngoc Ho, Minister of Land Reform and Agriculture Cao Van Than, Special Ambassador Nguyen Phu Duc, Senator Mrs. Nguyen Van Tho and Nguyen Qui Anh, director of cabinet in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Plaque of the Order of Brilliant Star went to Lt. Gen. Dang Van Quang, special assistance to the President for pacification and development; Dr. Nguyen Duy Xuan, special assistant to the President for economy and finance; Tran Dai Trung, special assistant to the President'; and Col. Nguyen Khac Binh, commissioner, special commissariat for central intelligence.
President Thieu was warmly welcomed by government dignitaries and the diplomatic corps on his return to Saigon. He said the trip had been excellent preparation for his Midway meeting with President Nixon. The welcomers were led by Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky, who was interim President during Thieu's absence.
The China News summed up President Thieu's visit in this editorial:
"Communiques at the end of state visits are ordinarily issued as a mere matter of protocol. The content is of polite words and phrases. Any serious meaning or intent is coincidental.
"The views mutually expressed by Presidents Nguyen Van Thieu and Chiang Kai-shek at the conclusion of the former's five-day visit to Taiwan were an exception to the usual rule for communiques.
"So, too, was the declaration of Presidents Thieu and Park Chung Hee in South Korea.
"Three of Asia's top leaders are on record against knuckling under to the Communists anywhere in the region and especially against weakness in South Vietnam.
"They have warned against any coalition with the Communists. In all the world, no 'one knows more about the perils of attempting to cooperate with Communism than the Chinese, the Koreans and the Vietnamese. The voice of these two communiques is one of experience that will back up President Thieu's position in next Saturday's Midway talks with President Nixon.
"President Thieu made the right trip at the right time. President Nixon knows and respects the opinions of Presidents Chiang and Park. The American chief executive is himself a lifetime opponent of Communism. It is inconceivable that he should do anything to weaken the anti-Communist position of the South Vietnamese government.
"Yet even President Park has expressed fear that the pressure of American public opinion might lead Nixon into a less than honorable peace in South Vietnam. The respect with which the American people regard President Chiang Kai-shek may help President Nixon weather the clamor of those who would end the U.S. role in the war at ally cost.
"Most Americans support President Nixon and want peace only on terms that will assure a free and democratic South Vietnam. The noisy coterie of 'bring the boys home now' Americans is small and includes many people who have been misled by the emotionalism of Senator Edward Kennedy and others.
"President Nixon will have a good opportunity at Midway and afterward to call upon the wisdom of Presidents Thieu, Chiang and Park in telling the American people the truth about Asia and the steps that must be taken to bring an acceptable peace to South Vietnam. President Thieu's visits to Korea and Taiwan have dramatized the fact that the free Asian leaders most concerned have an identity of views on Communism in general and on Vietnam Communism in particular."
Another editorial said: "The task of President Thieu and other Asian leaders is to persuade the United States to regard concessions to the Communists in their totality and not in the misleading simplicity of a single act at a time. Yalta began a chain of events that led to enslavement of a subcontinent and hundreds of millions of people. Coalition government in South Vietnam would be the beginning, not the end, of appeasement. This time the loss might be half a world."