U.S. Seeks Talks With Cambodia

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31564, 29 December 1967, Page 7

U.S. Seeks Talks With Cambodia

Z. Press Association —Copyright)

WASHINGTON, December 28. The United States last night disclosed the text of a note to Cambodia proposing an international conference or “informal talks” on the problem of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese sanctuaries in its territory.

United States officials said they hoped the problem could be solved by diplomacy rather than by a widening of the Vietnam war by authorising extended military forays into Cambodia. The release of the note, which was despatched on December 4 through the Australian Embassy, was believed to be intended to emphasise ; United States interest in re-

solving the problem diplomatically. The note said the United States, although “deeply concerned” about Communist use of Cambodian border areas, had “no hostile intentions toward Cambodia or Cambodian territory.” Cambodia, which broke off relations with the United States in 1965, sent a note to Washington through the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh on December 24, accusing the United States of aggresion. It denied categorically that Communist forces were using Cambodian territory.

Some Vietnam observers believe the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong want to score major military victories in 1968 because it is a United States election year.

According to this view, the North Vietnamese may be trying to seize land in Laos for use as a base to attack American troops across the border in South Vietnam. The State Department has not made up its mind about this, but it is clearly concerned about a statement made yesterday by the Laotian Prime Minister (Prince Souvanna Phouma) alleging increased Communist military activity in Laos.