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Martin Luther King, Jr, (4) Should the United States remain in Vietnam if the South Vietnamese ask us to leave? Reply: "“!f believe we would ~ have no moral or juridical basis for remaining if a sovereign . ..... government demands that we leave its territory." i (5) Can King be more specific concerning his attitude on escalation of the war? Reply: "“Escalatiod is expressed in sO many degrees and is related to escalation on the other side, so that I can discuss it only in concrete terms, It is impossible to generalize." (6) King said that he is not blaming either governnent for the war. Who is to blame? Reply: "There is blame on both sides because each has made responses too readily through means of violence without an earnest search for reduction of violence. I am encouraged by the restraint President Johneaon has manifested both in action and in words and I believe the exercise of restraint will ultimately lead faster to constructive negotiation than will the flexing of the muscles of military power which the whole world knows we possess in terrifying abundance." (7) What specific proposals would King have to make? Reply: I have not formulated specific proposals for ending the war and I am not sure I have competence in that area. (8) Ie King serjously thinking of going to Vietnam and under what circumstances? Reply: "I have no plang to go to Vietnam." (9) W41l King's letter also be sent to the United Nations? ~ Reply: There are no plans for a letter to the United Nations because it is not a combatant nor an ally of any combatant. This ' does not imply it has no role. Its role is substantial but different. (10) Will King contact United States officials concerning | his pians; for example, Governors, Senators, Representatives or diplomats? Reply: "I have no body of plans which could be the subject of discussions. I am expressing a point of view which will be self-explanatory. and I sincerely hope useful for those who have the responsibility to make plans." 8 =...