Hopes for peace raised again

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33113, 2 January 1973, Page 9

Hopes for peace raised again

,V Z P A Reuter —Copgrigh

LONDON, January 1.

The world has welcomed another chance to seek peace in Vietnam, while the United States and North Vietnam prepare to return to the negotiating table after the pause in the American air onslaught against the North.

The new discussions between President Nixon's special envoy, Dr Kissinger, and North Vietnam's Mr Le Due Tho will begin on January 8, but technical discussion between experts from both sides begin tomorrow.

European Government leaders, critics and supporters alike of President Nixon’s Vietnam policies, have welcomed the new American bombing pause and the decision to resume peace talks.

The British Prime Minister (Mr Heath) has issued a statement, saying: “We must all pray that the talks will lead to a successful outcome.”

Among the leaders of America s overseas allies, Mr Heath has been one of the staunchest in his refusal to criticise Mr Nixon’s Vietnam policies, although he has come under increasing pressure from Opposition politicians to condemn them. Mr Heath reminded his critics in the statement issued today: “It is easy to demand condemnatory statements, but past experience has shown that this is not always the best way of bringing peace nearer.” Some scepticism The Prime Minister of Sweden (Mr Palme), one of the most outspoken European critics of America’s war effort in Vietnam, has described the bombing halt as “a very encouraging step in the right direction.” Tlte Danish Prime Minister (Mr Joergensen) said that the Washington announcement was a sign that the United States had “finally come to its senses.” However, Mr Joergensen expressed scepticism also, “since we have, unfortunately, been disap-

pointed too many times before when hoping for peace in Indo-China.” The French Government was deliberately silent over the last days of the bombing. using its influence behind the scenes to try to get the stalled Paris peace talks going again.

The French Foreign Minister (Mr Maurice Schumann) said after the Washington announcement: “Hope is rebom. I am beginning to think that our constant efforts will not have been in vain.” In Phnom Penh, the Cambodian Government said that the resumed peace talks were likely to be more productive, because of the “military effects” of the bombing on North Vietnam. There has been little reaction from Communist countries, but in Cairo the masscirculation newspaper, “Al Akhbar.” said that the decision to call off the bombing was an acknowledgement of American defeat. Role of Pope Peace is expected to be the theme of Pope Paul’s New Year address later today — billed as “World Peace Day” by the Vatican. The Pontiff is likely to enlarge on his motto for 1973 “Peace is possible.”

Pope Paul, welcoming the pause in the bombing, has disclosed that he personally intervened with the parties to re-start the peace talks.

Addressing pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square on the eve of the New Year, the Pontiff said that the news was “a ray of light brightening a little the gloom under which 1972 had threatened to close so sadly and the New Year open so dangerously.”