Rogers Moves To Counter Theory

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 13

Rogers Moves To Counter Theory

(NZ.P.A. -Reuter— Copyright) WASHINGTON, July 16. The Secretary of State (Mr William Rogers) moved swiftly yesterday to counter wide speculation that he was at odds with the White House over the Indo-China war and the consequences of the two-month United States Cambodian operation.

He appeared personally at the daily press briefing for reporters at the State Department to say that he believed the success of the Cambodian operation might lead to a negotiated settlement in Indo-China.

This constrasted with the negative view he expressed in a broadcast interview re leased on Tuesday that no early peace settlement was in prospect Mr Rogers said that the possibility of a settlement might have diminished for a few months because Ameri can operations had weakened

the position of North Vietnam in the area—meaning that Hanoi was not expected to negotiate from a position of weaknes.

But after that period ol time, he added, there was an increased probability that Hanoi would Want to negoti ate. Even if there was not a negotiated settlement, the success of the programme to extend the Saigon Government’s control over the South Vietnamese countryside might mean an end to the war. Mr Rogers said. The Secretary of State also said that the influence of China on Hanoi might increase in the short run, bul this influence would probably only be temporary. In his broadcast interview, Mr Rogers had said the United States venture into Cambodia had strengthened Chinese influence over Hanoi and decreased that of the Soviet Union. These views, which at traded widespread attention, were described by some diplomatic observers as gloomy and surprisingly candid and were viewed as con trasting with President Nixon’s own recent estimate of the success of the Cambodian operations.