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goodwill would be an end to bombing of North Vietnam. (Belgrade Tanyug, 20 December)

Radio WARSAW (22 December) reported U Thant had undertaken a new -- and strictly private -- medietion initiative. The commmentary said it was rumored that U Thant had presented proposals to the NIF through the Algerian Ambassador to the UN; proposals included an extension of the cease-fire, NLF participation in talks, and others.

U THANT replied to the Goldberg letter on 30 December. He stated his strong belief that his three point program, "of which the cessation of the bombing of North Vietnam is the first and essential part, is necessary to create the possibility of fruitful discussions leading to a just and honorable settlement of the problem of Vietnam on the basis of the Geneva Agreements of 1954." He urged the US to stop the bombing "even without conditions."

MAI VAN BO, on 5 January 1967, said his government "rejects all intervention by the United Nations in the Vietnam affair for the good reason that this intervention would be contrary to the Geneva Agreements" of 1954. The same day, Peking called U Thant "another lackey of US imperialism" and said his letter contained "the same stuff pulled out of Johnson's portfolio." (NCNA, 5 January)

Pravda, discussing the letters and rumors of U Thant's new initiative, said if the US "unconditionally ceases the bombing of North Vietnam and if all sides extend the New Year cease-fire" there "might follow some favorable developments." (TASS, 31 December)

MR. GOLDBERG then responded to U Thant's letter. On 31 December, Goldberg wrote the US was willing to cease bombing North Vietnam "the moment there is an assurance, private or otherwise, that there would be a reciprocal response toward peace from North Vietnam." He noted that an end to the conflict cannot be attained by appeals for restraint by one side, welcomed the idea of an extended holiday cease-fire but regretted the "other parties concerned have shown no interest so far in such a cease-fire." (New York Times, 1 January 1967)

British Foreign Secretary BROWN, on 30 December, proposed a three- day meeting of the US, DRV and GVN to arrange a cessation of hostilities. He offered to make facilities available in any suitable British territory and to help with preparatory work. Pope Paul VI welcomed the proposal; President Johnson said he was "delighted to have (Britain's) views and their suggestions." He added the US was "rather anxious to meet... anywhere, any time, that Hanoi is willing to come to a conference table." (1 January 1967 press conference) of the "deceitful shopworn clamor of the US imperialists, condemned Brown's failure to include the NLF as a participant at the proposed conference and claimed the initistive ran counter to Britain's responsibilities as Geneva