communists had hoped. it did not produce a "general uprising" among the people of the cities, as they had predicted. the communists were unable to maintain control of any of the more than 30 cities that they attacked. and they took very heavy casualties. but they did compel the south vietnamese and their allies to move certain forces from the countryside into the cities. they caused widespread disruption and suffering. their attacks, and the battles that followed, made refugees of half a million human beings.
the communists may renew their attack any day. they are, it appears, trying to make 1968 the year of decision in south vietnam -- the year that brings, if not final victory or defeat, at least a turning point in the struggle.
this much is clear: if they do mount another round of heavy attacks, they will not succeed in destroying the fighting power of south vietnam and its allies. but tragically, this is also clear: many men -- on both sides of the struggle -- will be lost. a nation that has already suffered 20 years of warfare will suffer once again. armies on both sides will take new casualties. and the war will go on. there is no need for this to be so. there is no need to delay the talks that could bring an end to this long and this bloody war.
tonight, i renew the offer i made last august: to stop the bombardment of north vietnam. we ask that talks begin promptly, that they be serious talks on the substance of peace. we assume that during those talks hanoi will not take advantage of our restraint. we are prepared to move immediately toward peace through negotiations. so tonight, in the hope that this action will lead to early ta
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