Rusk And Harriman For Saigon

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30959, 15 January 1966, Page 13

Rusk And Harriman For Saigon

(N.Z PA.-Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, Jan. 14. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Rusk) and Ambassador - at - large (Mr Harriman) are said to be arriving in Saigon tomorrow for talks with Vietnamese leaders on proposed peace negotiations. Both men were in Bangkok today. Mr Rusk has been in New Delhi attending the funeral of Mr Shastri. American sources have said Mr Harriman, at present on a Vietnam peace mission, will explain to Vietnamese Government leaders the latest developments in the Johnson campaign to seek an end to the war, and will get the view of Vietnamese and American officials in Saigon. The President said today that the number of “incidents” by the Communists in Vietnam had “dropped off

some” since he began his peace offensive. He also said there had been “no new developments” in his drive to bring Hanoi to the peace table.

In Saigon, about 1500 South Vietnamese military officers met behind closed doors today to review the war and plot its course. The two-day meeting, the second of a series, is expected to result in public statements of policy by Lieuten ant-General Van Thieu, the Chief of State, and Air ViceMarshal Ky, the Prime Minister. Informed sources said the major events of the meeting were expected to be:

A speech by General Thieu outlining the Government’s view on negotiations or discussions for peace.

A report by General Ky on his Government’s achievements during its seven months in office and the programme prepared for the lunar New Year—- “ The Year of the Horse.” A report by LieutenantGeneral Huu Co, the deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, on the progress in improving the lot of the South Vietnamese soldier since the previous congress in September.