TOKYO — Former Vice President Richard M. Nixon hinted Friday that the war in Vietnam should be extended to the communist north.
Nixon, who arrived in Tokyo Thursday on a leg of his 24-day tour of the Far East, said "Our present policy in South Vietnam, which allows the Viet Cong a sanctuary in the north and in Laos, seems to be inadequate."
Nixon continued on the theme that the United States must be prepared to achieve "victory" in Southeast Asia. He said he will elaborate on what he feels should be done to achieve this victory when he returns to the U.S.
Nixon declined to make a firm statement about carrying the fight against the Viet Cong to the north but said newsmen could conclude from his statements that the present policy of simply supplying arms and advisers to the Vietnamese while restricting them to South Vietnam was not thwarting the Viet Cong attacks on the Republic of Vietnam.
Touching on the propaganda program of the communists in Vietnam, Nixon told a news conference at the Imperial Hotel, "The communists are hammering on the rumors that the U.S. possibly will withdraw from Southeast Asia.
"The people of South Vietnam want more than just economic aid. They want security," he said.
He declared that "Talk by the French and even people in our own Administration that Vietnam should be neutralized has been detrimental to the morale of South Vietnamese.
"The communists are taking advantage of this type of talk and are telling the people in South Vietnam that the U.S. will soon tire of the war and will soon withdraw while the communists are there to stay."
Nixon said the communists are telling the people of Vietnam to support the Viet Cong and avoid "a blood bath later."
Nixon continued to avoid questions regarding politics in the U.S. He said his plans for the future are the same as they have been in the past — traveling throughout the nation making major speeches whenever his business life allows.
He said he had plans to address the American Society of Newspaper Editors April 18 — a talk that will deal with the crises in Vietnam.
He promised newsmen statements on Japan, trade with Red China and other problems in the Far East during an address before the American Chamber of Commerce, American Club and the America-Japan Society on Tuesday.
