Statement by the White House Press Secretary on the Cambodian Seizure of U.S. Merchant Ship Mayaguez

The merchant ship Mayaguez at last report was anchored close to the island of Koh Tang, 30 miles off the coast of Cambodia. During the night, Washington time, it was escorted by two Cambodian naval vessels from the point where it was originally boarded (that point was 8 miles from the rock island of Poulo Wai toward its present location. The ship is being kept under observation by U.S. military aircraft. The President was kept informed of developments during the night.