PRESIDENT THIEU AND VICE-PRESIDENT KY, THEN THE PRESIDENT LIGHTS FLAME, LAYS WREATH AND INSPECTS TROOPS AND YOUNG PEOPLE.




Initials SA/V/JH/ES



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Background: PRESIDENT NGUYEN VAN THIEU OF SOUTH VIETNAM ATTENDED A SERVICE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER) AT THE NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERY FOR THE WAR DEAD, NEAR SAIGON. IT WAS EXACTLY A YEAR SINCE HE WAS INAUGURATED AS PRESIDENT; THE FOLLOWING DAY (TODAY, FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER) IS NATIONAL DAY IN SOUTH VIETNAM.

THE PRESIDENT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY VICE-PRESIDENT KY AND PRIME MINISTER TRAN VAN HUONG. THE PRESIDENT LIT A FLAME TO HONOUR THE MEMORY OF THE WAR DEAD AND THEY LAID A WREATH ON THE MEMORIAL TO THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. AT AN IMPROMPTU PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER, THE PRESIDENT SAID THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON POLICY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTH VIETNAM ON DECLARING A HALT TO BOMBING.

AFTER A SMALL CHOIR OF YOUNG PEOPLE HAD PERFORMED, THEY WERE INSPECTED BY PRESIDENT THIEU; HE ALSO INSPECTED THE TROOPS AND THE CEMETERY.