Atmosphere at talks glacial

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33121, 11 January 1973, Page 9

Atmosphere at talks glacial

(N. Z. P. A. - Reuter—Co py right)

PARIS. January 10. The United States Presidential envoy, Dr Henry Kissinger, and the North Vietnamese emissary, Mr Le Due Tho, today hold their third consecutive day of peace talks, with the atmosphere between them still distinctly glacial. ,

The two negotiators, who have held more than 10 hours of talks this week, resumed their discussions on Monday after the United States halted its bombing of North Vietnam above the 20th Parallel. In their talks from November 20 to December 13, the negotiators made a point of shaking hands in front of cameramen when each meeting ended. No such friendliness has been seen this week.

Dr Kissinger, who acted as host yesterday in a villa owned by the American industrialist, Mr Milton Berzin, was not on hand to greet Mr Tho on arrival. When Mr Tho left six hours later, he did not see him off. KONTUM RAIDS In South Vietnam. 852 s carried out their heaviest raids for six months against a build-up of Communist forces near the Central Highlands city of Kontum. They dropped more than 1000 tons of bombs in 24 hours.

The build-up has increased fears that the city, which already has survived one siege, may be the target of a new Communist offensive. An American military spokesman said that in 24 hours 50 852 s and 40 fighterbombers had attacked positions within a 10-mile radius of Kontum. BOMBING “EFFECTIVE” In Washington, the Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff (Admiral Thomas Moorer) has said the 12-day heavy bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong was effective in damaging “North Vietnam's capability’ to maintain the land battle in the south.” Admiral Moorer said after a private briefing for the House of Representatives Apnropriations Committee 'hat he had no figures to counter Hanoi’s statements that 1300 to 1600 civilians and military people were killed by the bombing. “I suspect a large number of these were employed with these military targets.” he said.

The admiral said the bombing was aimed at militarv targets. not cities: at North Vietnam’s capabilitv to maintain the land battle in the south, “and in these terms it was very effective.”