WHITE HOUSE MEETING

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31835, 13 November 1968, Page 17

WHITE HOUSE MEETING

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, November 12. President Johnson and the President-elect (Mr Richard Nixon) ended a long White House meeting yesterday with a display of unity on Vietnam policy and other foreign problems.

Mr Nixon told reporters, with President Johnson standing by, that Mr Johnson was not a lame-duck President and in the period between now and the assumption of power by the new Republican Administration on January 20 “we might have significant action towards peace.”

The President-elect apparently was referring to hopedfor progress in the Paris peace talks with North Vietnam, but he did not elaborate on his remark.

United Press International reported Mr Nixon and Mr Johnson met reporters, in front of the west wing of the White House after their meeting.

Both men expressed their intention to co-operate with each other in assuring that the business of Government continues in an orderly fashion during the transition from the Johnson Administration to the Nixon Administration.

Mr Nixon said that the Government could meet its foreign policy obligation “only if the parties on the other side realise that the policy of this Administration is being made with regard to the policv of the new Administration.” Mr Nixon said that the nation had several foreign policy matters “which cannot await decision, that cannot wait for two months.” He said the briefing which he received was “completely candid and most helpful.” During the meeting with Mr Johnson, Mr Nixon was briefed on foreign policy matters bv the Secretary of State (Mr Dean Rusk), the Defence Secretary (Mr Clark Clifford), the C.I.A. director (Mr Richard Helms), a Presidential adviser, Mr Walt Rostow, and General Earle Wheeler, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Associated Press reported that President John-

son said the session was very pleasant and co-operative. The President said he and Mrs Johnson would do all they could to help Mr Nixon and his wife with “the burdens they are assuming in behalf of all of u».” President Johnson said, “Americans expect and have a right to expect that their Government will continue to operate efficiently as the White House changes hands from Democratic to Republican Administration."