Ball Warns Hanoi U S Won't Buckle Over Prenegotiation Attacks
U S diplomat George W Ball says Communist setbacks in Saigon aim for a prenegotiation victory like Dien Bien Phu in 1954 He warned Hanoi against expecting U S to yield when it meets Paris negotiators next week Ball noted North Vietnamese infiltration of 80 000 to 100 000 troops since February but later officials clarified the figure referred to forces moving south toward South Vietnam He said bombing limits set by President Johnson could lead to talks toward peace but stressed the United States would not concede to intimidation as Paris talks open on a cessation of bombing and other acts of war