Statement by the White House Press Secretary on the Cambodian Seizure of U.S. Merchant Ship Mayaguez
We have been informed that a Cambodian naval vessel has seized an American merchant ship on the high seas and forced it to the port of Kompong Som. The President has met with the NSC. He considers this seizure an act of piracy. He has instructed the State Department to demand the immediate release of the ship. Failure to do so would have the most serious consequences.
NOTE: On Tuesday, May 13, 1975, the White House announced that after the seizure of the S.S. Mayaguez, a warning was issued to mariners in that area. Following is the text of the notice to mariners issued by the Defense Mapping Agency Hydrographic Center at 7: 15 p.m., e.d.t., May 12, 1975:
"Special Warning: Shipping is advised until further notice to remain more than 35 nautical miles off the coast of Cambodia and more than 20 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam including off lying islands. Recent incidents have been reported of firing on, stopping and detention of ships within waters claimed by Cambodia, particularly in the vicinity of Poulo Wai Island. This warning in no way should be construed as United States recognition of Cam.bodian or Vietnamese territorial sea claims or as derogation of the right of innocent passage for United States flag vessels, or derogation of the freedom of the high seas."
The text of the notice was made available at the Pentagon on May 13, 1975. It was not issued in the form of a White House press release.
Gerald R. Ford, Statement by the White House Press Secretary on the Cambodian Seizure of U.S. Merchant Ship Mayaguez Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/306857