No Charges Filed Against Female Protester - Nixon : Thieu Regime Can Beat Insurgents

WASHINGTON IA'I President Nixon said Thur day night 'l11ieu regime forces have demonstrated they "can hack it " against the anti· government force , and that insures the continuing withdrawal of American forces from Southeast Asia. The President told a While House news conference carried live via radio and television that assessment of Thieu regime fighting ability came from Gen. Creighton Abrams, the U.S. commander in Vietnam. " ... What has already been accomplished in Laos at this time has insured even more the plan [or withdrawal of American troops," Nixon said. He said he will have another troop withdrawal announcement In April. Nixon said disruptIon of supply Hnes has very seriously damaged North Viet· nam's ability to wage war. Asked about the American support for the Thieu regime invasion of North Viet· nam, Nixon reiterated past U.S. policy. He said further there is no plan to use air power to support 'l11leu regime forces if they should go into North Vietnam. He said the test of what happens in North Vietnam will be whether he considers North Vietnamese actlvllles to be endangering American forces as they are withdrawn from South Vietnam. Only then, Nixon said, would he order the use of airpower against border areas of North Vietnam. A ked If he is trying to prepare the American people for the presence of about 100,000 troops In Vietnam by election lime neltt year, Nixon replied : "As long as there are American POWs, we will have to keep some troops in Vietnam. "As to when we will have them out, we will make the announcements in due lime. We will make one in April." Asked to clarify statements about problems in the rest of Southeast Asia i[ agreement hould be reached on South Vietnam, Nixon aid : "Our aim is complete withdrawal," adding the proposal wa made on a mu· tual basis. with the North Vietnamese to withdraw at the same time. .. After we withdraw we cannot guarantee that there will not continue to be fighting in Vietnam, Laos and Cam· bodia," he ald. Asked if he is moving toward a twoChina policy, Nixon said such a feeling in Formosa is not justified. in the Mideast and the answer is no ." "We hope that the Israelis and the Egyptians, and for that maller the Jor. danians, will continue discu ions ... ," he said. But he added, "We are going to have to depend on the parties themselves" to bring aboul an agreement.