Date: August 19, 1963
Published: August 23, 1963
Source: Peking Review, Vol 34, p. 14
Online Version: Pham Van Dong Internet Archive, February 2004
Transcribed/HTML Markup: Mike B.
Pham Van Dong, Premier of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam sent a reply on August 19 to Chou En-lai, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, expressing support for the proposal of the Government of the People's Republic of China on convening a conference of the government heads of all countries of the world to discuss the question of totally prohibiting and destroying nuclear weapons.
Following is the text of Premier Pham Van Dong's reply. -Ed.
Comrade Chou En-lai, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
Esteemed Comrade Premier,
I have received your note dated August 2, 1963, on the thorough prohibition and destruction of nuclear weapons.
The people and Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam have constantly made active contributions to the common struggle of the world's people to save mankind from the catastrophe of a nuclear war and the safeguarding of the everlasting peace of the world.
In the aggressive war being waged by the U.S. imperialists in south Viet Nam with the aim of turning the southern part of our country into a U.S. military base and new-type colony, the U.S. imperialists are using up to-date weapons, including poisonous chemicals; we pay all the more attention to the question you have raised.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam fully approves the proposal of the Government of the People's Republic of China on the convening of a meeting of the heads of state of all countries in the world to discuss the question of thorough prohibition and destruction of all nuclear weapons.
We are confident that if the people of the socialist countries and the people the world over strengthen their solidarity, struggle resolutely and persistently, and constantly lay bare the dark schemes of the war provocative imperialists headed by the U.S. imperialists, a nuclear war can be prevented, and world peace can be safeguarded.
I wish to convey to you, Comrade Premier, my best regards.
PHAM VAN DONG
Premier of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam
Hanoi, August 19, 1963.