Cease-Fire Plan In Vietnam

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30960, 17 January 1966, Page 11

Cease-Fire Plan In Vietnam

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, January 16. The South Vietnamese Defence Ministry has ordered all Government armed forces to observe a cease-fire for three and a half days during this week’s lunar New Year celebration.

The order to halt offensive operation is to last for 18 hours less than that announced in clandestine radio broadcasts by the Viet Cong. The Viet Cong’s proclaimed

cease-fire will start at midnight (local time) on the night of January 19-20. The Government cease-fire order comes into effect at midday on the 20th and expires at 6 p.m. on January 23. The Viet Cong have said that they will not attack until after midnight that night. This is a reversal of the situation during the Christmas truce, when the Viet Cong were observing only a 12-hour cease-fire, while the Allies were under orders to hold their fire for 30 hours. U.S. To Conform A United States spokesman said that American forces would conform with the decision taken by the South Vietnamese Government. The other combat forces in Vietnam—South Korean, Australian and New Zealand—were expected to follow suit. All sides warned their troops to maintain their vigilance during the truce in case of any violations.