Viet pact hangs on fragile thread in Paris talks
Diplomatic sources in Paris say a failure by Washington Hanoi and Saigon to agree on a peace package would kill the preliminary Paris talks. Johnson would not offer a new plan before Jan 20 and talks could stall until the new administration. An accord on the Johnson plan could move talks toward political accords before Johnson leaves office. Financial difficulties may force France to embargo Mirage fighters promised to Israel, if orders dry up. Washington and Hanoi seek early talks to end the Vietnam War, but Moscow’s role remains doubtful and Hanoi resists third party mediation.