SPECIAL DAILY REPORT ON NORTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02406699
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: April 27, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2019
• Publication Date: February 16, 1968

Approved for Release: 2019/04/17 CO2406699
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EYES ONLY
Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
To ret
I
16 February 1968
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Special Daily Report on North Vietnam
for the President's Eyes Only
16 February 1968
I. NOTES ON THE SITUATION
Hanoi on Bombing Halt: Hanoi has been in touch
with a number of Western governments recently to
present its case and to underscore its readiness to
talk if the US stops the bombings. The Italian For-
eign Office announced on 14 February that North Viet-
namese representatives had contacted Rome early this
month with such a message.
The Swiss Govern-
ment announced yesterday that its ambassador in Pe-
king was en route to Hanoi to offer his country's
good offices for a peaceful settlement. Although
press reports say this was entirely a Swiss initia-
tive, Hanoi doubtless chose the time by giving per-
mission for the visit.
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French Press Report from Hanoi: French Press
Agency correspondents in Hanoi took note of North
Vietnamese current tactics in a story on 14 Febru-
ary. If the story was not actually inspired by
the North Vietnamese, they probably at least ap-
proved of its contents. The story says that the
Communists are trying to demonstrate simultaneously
their military strength and their desire for a peace-
ful settlement. It claims the Communists, although
"very satisfied" with the results of the offensive
in the South, are stressing that it is not over yet
and new attacks are likely if the US fails to stop
the bombing and begin negotiations.
The story stresses the moves made by Hanoi to
make its position appear more forthcoming. It con-
cludes, however, that Hanoi does not intend to
compromise on its demand for an unconditional bomb-
ing halt. If Washington insists on any form of reci-
procity, even the "modified" version of President
Johnson's San Antonio formula, the war will continue.
* * *
U Thant's Comments on his Contacts with North
Vietnamese: Don Cook of the Los Angeles Times in-
formed the US Embassy in Paris that one of his col-
leagues had managed to see U Thant in Paris yester-
day. The following were said to be the secretary
general's impressions:
--He could see no movement in Hanoi's position;
--Hanoi nevertheless appears very interested
in getting talks started on the condition that the
US stops bombing;
--U Thant thinks Hanoi would open talks with-
in two weeks of a bombing halt;
--His conversations in Moscow forced him to
the conclusion that there is no "give" in Russia's
position, which continues to support Hanoi 100 per-
cent;
--He cannot agree with Prime Minister Wilson's
conclusion that differences between Hanoi and Wash-
ington are "very narrow";
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--He is therefore returning to New York "not
optimistic";
--A one-hour conversation with De Gaulle pro-
duced nothing of interest.
* * *
Hanoi Denies US Sent Envoy: Another French
Press Agency item broadcast by Paris yesterday says
that an "informed North Vietnamese source" in Hanoi
has "categorically denied" reports that the US sent
a special envoy to North Vietnam to explore pros-
pects for peace. The story notes that Canadian ICC
Commissioner Dier had been in Hanoi recently, but
that he was not acting for the US.
Bomb Damage in Haiphong: Bomb damage in the
port is limited to certain sections of the city and
is less serious than has been generally assumed,
according to Robert Eaton, a member of the crew of
the yacht Phoenix which was in Haiphong during late
January. Eaton, who gave his views to a French
correspondent in Hong Kong, also claimed that much
of the city was deserted and that on a tour of the
port he was shown civilian areas which had been
damaged. Eaton claimed bombing effects were not
evident in most sections, and that life was being
conducted in a normal fashion in many areas.
* * *
Hanoi Prepares for Intensified Air Raids: Hanoi
is making more extensive civil defense preparations
in anticipation of retaliatory air raids for the Com-
munist offensive in the South,
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II. NORTH VIETNAMESE REFLECTIONS OF US POLITICAL
ATTITUDES ON THE WAR
Hanoi Propaganda: Yesterday's English lan-
guage broadcast by radio Hanoi contained a section
devoted to quotes from recent statements on Viet-
nam by several members of the US Congress.
Senator Robert Kennedy's speech of 8 February
came in for some more attention. He was quoted as
saying that the Vietnam war could lead the US to
national tragedy. Senator Mike Mansfield is quoted
as saying last Sunday that the recent Viet Cong of-
fensive had demonstrated that the Saigon political
structure is no stronger today than it was three
years ago. "Indeed," Mansfield is quoted, "its very
survival appears more dependent on US military power
than at any time in the past."
Senator Thruston Morton is quoted by Hanoi as
saying that the tragedy of the US commitment in
Vietnam is that most of the people of South Viet-
nam couldn't care less. Morton, Hanoi claimed,
"again accused the Johnson administration of hood-
winking the American people about the war." Rep-
resentative Margaret Heckler of Massachusetts is
said by Hanoi to have accused General Westmoreland
of "deluding" members of Congress.
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