Johnson Accepts Peace Bid Failed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30971, 29 January 1966, Page 15

Johnson Accepts Peace Bid Failed

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, January 28. . President Johnson was reported today to be resisting demands that Hanoi and even Chinese Communist nuclear installations should be hit if he orders a resumption of air raids on North Vietnam.

Mr Johnson was concerned about pressure on him to widen the air war, officials said.

1 le had concluded that his Vietnam peace offensive had fallen on deaf ears in Hanoi. A decision about the 35-day-long bombing pause would have to be made soon.

The White House continued to say that the President had not made up his mind, but diplomatic observers pointed to his statements about the military risks which United States forces were facing as a result of the pause. The President had three questions to decide: 1. Whether the bombing 1 should be resumed. 2. If so, when. 3 Whether Hanoi should be added to the targets, which in the past have been limited to carefully selected military installations. Observers said that as the President searched for the best course of action to take, he was feeling heavy pressure. particularly from a number of Congressmen, to extend the air war. It was reported that one of the Congressmen at a White House briefing on Tuesday night angrily declared: “We’ve got to take out Red China’s nuclear installations." Previous Strategy The President’s own instinct at present was to follow his previous strategy, which called for strikes against installations being used for the infiltration of men and

equipment to the south, such as bridges and supply routes.

He was said to be determine ’ to avoid a wider war and to press his peace offensive. in the hope that Hanoi would eventually agree to a negotiated settlement. But he was reported to feel that Hanoi’s continuing hostility left him with no alternative but to demonstrate United States’ firmness in resisting Communist “aggression” against South Vietnam. President’s Doubts He was known to be concerned over the possibility that North Vietnam had misread his peace drive as a sign of weakness, and over intelligence reports that the Communists had used the bombing pause as an opportunity to repair damaged installations and to infiltrate

reinforcements and equipment into the south. The President is devoting virtually all of his time to the problem. His associates said he was faced with “an excruciating decision.” Private Talks In addition to publicised meetings earlier in the week with Cabinet members and Congressional leaders, President Johnson in the last few days has been talking privately, mostly by telephone, with a wide group of advisers, both inside and outside the Government.

The Presidential press secretary, Mr Bill D. Moyers, said:

“He’s looking at the military and diplomatic situation, rather than opinion polls or the like. “Then he will make his decision on th? basis of what is best for the country.” Own Decision

The President is acutely conscious that the final decision is his alone to make. He is determined to make sure that no possible door to peace has been left unopened.