THIEU'S DECISION

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33128, 19 January 1973, Page 1

THIEU'S DECISION

(X.Z Press Assn.—Copyright)

SAIGON, Jan. 18

South Vietnam’s President (Nguyen Van Thieu) has apparently given his decision on the draft Vietnam peace agreement to the American special envoy, General Alexander Haig, who left Saigon today for Phnom Penh.

Sylvan Fox, of the “New York Times," reporting from Saigon, said that President Thieu had accepted the genera] line of the draft accord. Fox reported that President Thieu had, however, strongly objected to major aspects of the proposed peace agreement. The President’s decision was given to Genera] Haig and the United States Ambassador (Mr Ellsworth Bunker) during a one-hour meeting in Saigon last night after a series of sessions with his national security council.

Mr Bunker returned alone to the Presidential palace in Saigon for more talks with the South Vietnamese leader two hours after General Haig left for Phnom Penh to meet the Cambodian President (Lon Nol).

The General’s departure for Cambodia was kept secret until after he had left. He made no statement to reporters waiting in Phnom Penh and drove away for talks with Marshal Lon Nol. RADIO COMMENT

South Vietnam’s official comments on the peace agreement remained cautious, and Saigon Radio this morning questioned whether the agreement would be acceptable.

“Will peace come to the people of South Vietnam at once or will it remain an object of further bargaining?” the radio asked. Since the United States suspended offensive operations against North Vietnam on Monday, prompting speculation of an imminent ceasefire. the Saigon Government has taken every opportunity to dampen peace reports.

President Thieu has been in almost constant contact with his national security council since General Haig arrived on Tuesday morning. FIGHTING STEADY Fighting in South Vietnam has remained at a steady level since news of a possible cease-fire became nublic. There have been no signs of a determined drive by either the Communists or South Vietnam to capture territory. According to the “New) York Times” correspondent. President Thieu’s objections dealt with elements of the protocols, or technical document, that accompany the draft agreement and are intended to implement it. One objection concerned North Vietnam’s refusal to recognise that part of the demilitarised zone below the 17th parallel as belonging to South Vietnam. THREE CLASSES

Mr Thieu also wanted three classes of prisoners now held by Hanoi to be released after a cease-fire: foreigners held in Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam; South Vietnamese citizens imprisoned outside South Vietnam; and civilian and military prisoners held by the National Liberation Front in South Vietnam. The “New York Times” report said that political prisoners were not included,

since the question of their confinement had to be resolved between the two Vietnamese Governments.

The draft agreement was reported to call for American, South Vietnamese, North Vietnamese and National Liberation Front representatives to serve jointly on military commissions which would supervise initial stages of a cease-fire. President Thieu wanted them stationed in Da Nang, Pleiku, Bien Hoa and Can Tho. Hanoi wanted additional commission units sent to Hue, My Tho, and Phan Thiet, said to be Viet Cong strongholds, the “Times” reporter said. CAMBODIA, LAOS

An Indo-China peace agreement that did not include al cease-fire in Cambodia would! be senseless, the Government’s official spokesman saidj in Phnom Penh today. He said that a cease-fire in Cambodia should become) effective simultaneously with a truce in South Vietnam) or as soon as possible afterwards. “Everybody knows that the! war in Cambodia has spilled, over from Vietnam so if there is any cease-fire agreement which would not includel Cambodia and Laos it would! not have any sense,” said the) spokesman.