Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
proposals, and Ho's February 15 reply to the President, released by Hanoi March 21, rejected the Presidential overture, asserting once again that only if the United States ordered the "unconditional" cessation of the bombing and "all other acts of war" against North Vietnam "could" talks begin. Nevertheless, the President's proposal still stands, as Hanoi has several times been informed.
26. President's LEtter to Pope Paul—February 8, 1967. Replying to a message from the Pope expressing the hope that the Tet truce might open the way to negotiations for a "just and stable peace," President Johnson said: "We are prepared to talk at any time and place, in any forum, with the object of bringing peace to Vietnam. However, I know you would not expect us to reduce military action unless the other side is willing to do likewise. We are prepared to discuss the balanced reduction in military activity, the cessation of hostilities, or any practical arrangements which could lead to these results."
27. Continuous Bilateral Contacts with Communist States, including talks with Chinese Ambassador in Warsaw—1964 to present.
28. Bombing Pauses:
- 1) May 12–17, 1965 (five days, 20 hours)
- 2) December 24, 1965–January 30, 1966 (36 days, 15 hours)
- 3) December 23–25, 1966 (two days)
- 4) December 30, 1966–January 1, 1967 (two days) '
- 5) February 8–13, 1967 (five days, 18 hours)
