Text of the Document From the North Vietnamese

North Vietnamese aide-mémoire dated April 5 1968, concerning talks with the United States

New York Times 9sep1968

Following is the text of the North Vietnamese aide-mémoire dated April 5 1968, concerning talks with the United States:

1. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam has repeatedly protested against the U.S. action in illegally laying hold of civilians and military personnel on board fishing boats and freighters even in the territorial waters of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam demands that the United States stop all its arrogant acts, respect the sovereignty, territory, and security of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and release immediately, unconditionally and with-out any need for an agreement between the two parties, and citizens of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam now being illegally detained.
   
   As for the captured American pilots, they are regarded by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as guilty to the Vietnamese people. Acting upon orders from the U.S. Government, they have bombed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, an independent and sovereign country, killing civilians and destroying the property of the Vietnamese people. However, in accordance with the humane and lenient policy of the Government of the Democratic Re-public of Vietnam, they have enjoyed good treatment. On the occasion of the last Tet festival, for the first time, three of the captured U.S. pilots were released in view of their correct attitude during their detention.
   
   

2. With regard to the "limited bombing" of North Vietnam announced by President Johnson, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam made clear its view in its April 3, 1968, statement.
   
   The United States Government has not seriously and fully met the legitimate demands of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, of progressive American opinion and of world opinion. However, for its part, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam declared its readiness to appoint its representative to contact the United States representative with a view to determine with the American side the unconditional cessation of the United States bombing raids and all other acts of war against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, so that talks may start.
   
   Details about the contact between the representatives of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the United States may be as follows:
   
   ¶ The representative with ambassadorial rank of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is ready to contact the representative of the United States Government.
   
   ¶ The place of contact may be Pnompenh or another place to be mutually agreed upon.
   
   ¶ ln the course of the con-tact, the United States side will specify the date when the unconditional cessation of the U. S. bombing raids and all other acts of war against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam will be-come effective: then the two parties will reach an agreement on the time, place and level of the talks.
   
   

3. Any intepretation of the point of view of the Government of the Democratic Re-public of Vietnam at variance with the content of this aide mémoire is null and void.

p.10