 The proposal was that the remaining U.S. troops would withdraw from South Vietnam in exchange for a cease-fire and the return of American prisoners held by Hà Nội.It was also agreed that the governments in North and South Vietnam would remain in power, and reunification would be "carried out step by step through peaceful means".Although the North's "Nguyễn Huệ Offensive" during the spring of 1972 was beaten back with high casualties, the proposal did not require them to leave the South.