The United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim yesterday (Tuesday) called on the parties to the Vietnam conflict to use the machinery of the United Nations to restore peace.

In a written statement, televised from the United Nations building in New York, Mr Waldheim said that despite the lateness of his offer, the time had now come when the full machinery of the United Nations be used.

He observed that the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security was the main function of the Security Council. He hoped that the parties concerned would accept his offer to mediate "in their own interest as well as in the interest of world peace".

There was no indication last night (Tuesday) that two of the permanent members, the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, had reacted favourably to the Secretary General's initiative.

North Vietnam's reported opposition to any role for the U.N. is expected to prompt the Chinese to adopt a similar attitude to Mr Waldheim's appeal.