American Jewish Congress Head Urges Johnson to Respond Positively to Hanoi Peace Bid

President Johnson has been urged by the head of the American Jewish Congress to respond positively to statements by Hanoi that peace talks “will” begin if the U.S. stops bombing North Vietnam. Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld of Cleveland, national president of the Congress, said in a telegram to the White House:

“We urge you, Mr. President, not to let this opportunity slip by, either by delaying our response or by imposing conditions. Any other reply would seriously compromise our country’s repeated declarations in pursuit of peace.”

The American Jewish Congress leader said that cessation of the bombing would entail a “minimal risk” for the U.S. “in order to achieve an optimum return.”