• This British Cabinet discussion took place in 1967, almost two years after the US committed ground troops to the Vietnam War.
  
• Britain supported US policy throughout the Vietnam War. This brought a lot of criticism on the government from inside Britain, especially from some sections of the Labour Party.
  
• The USSR and China always denied helping North Vietnam and the Viet Cong. However, it was well known that they did provide help.
  
• Throughout the conflict US politicians were anxious not to look as thought they were weak. As a result, they demanded an end to Communist action before talks took place. Not surprisingly, the Communists refused.
  
• The Communists demanded that the US stopped bombing North Vietnam before talks took place. Not surprisingly, the USA refused.
  
• Some talks did take place in 1968 but they achieved little.