From the S&S archives:
Manila summit conference opens

MANILA (UPI) — Seven nations officially convened the two-day Manila summit conference Monday morning in an atmosphere invigorated by. hints that communist leaders may be ready to talk about peace in Vietnam.

The ceremonial opening began in the Philippines Congress Building in the heart of Manila.

Participating in the historic conference were President Johnson of the United States, Prime Minister Harold Holt of Australia, President Chung Hee Park of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Keith Holyoake of New Zealand, Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn of Thailand, Chief of State of the Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Van Thieu and host President Ferdinand E. Marcos of the Philippines.

The No. 1 question they faced: What price would have to be paid to get north Vietnam to the conference table?

A possible answer might be found in the news that the United States has found signs that the Hanoi regime at last may be considering the idea of peace talks.

The indications, apparently coming in part from reports. attributed to Hungarian sources at the United Nations, were far from conclusive. It was believed a key break in the communist position could come if, as expected, the U.S. public shows in the November elections it is willing to support even sterner measures, if necessary, in the Vietnam war.

There were indications that any positive move by north Vietnam would depend on a halt to U.S. bombing of that country — and that appeared to be shaping up as a key issue at the summit.

Informed sources said Sunday the U.S. delegates already had advised their six allies at the conference that America would be reluctant to halt the air raids — which the military considers vital to the prevention of a communist buildup along the border between the two Vietnams — unless Hanoi gave concrete indications it was ready to talk.

Sources also said the agenda decided upon by the foreign ministers of the seven nations in advance of the conference would include an evaluation of the military effort in Vietnam, an assessment of the pacification program in that country, and a review of the economic situation in all of Southeast Asia.

For President Johnson, his arrival in Manila opened the climactic phase of a 25,000-mile world barnstorming tour for peace.

The Manila International Airport and the route into the capital were decked with flags, varicolored bunting and signs proclaiming welcome and "mabuhay" (long life) to the seven leaders. The city was newly cleaned up for the occasion-roads repaired, buildings along the route repainted, scars hidden.

Crowds estimated by police sources at about 200,000 watched the parade of leaders arrive. They were relatively quiet. Perhaps many were aware that the delegates faced a frustrating mission in search of some way to bring the communist world to the peace table.

The conferees were greeted at the airport by President Marcos and Mrs. Marcos. The Filipino leader, too, reflected the sober mood of this summit when, in a statement in connection with the arrivals, he said the conference hoped to achieve something tangible in "keeping the option of liberty open in Asia."

President Johnson, looking tanned and jovial, seemed pleased with his reception, particularly in the area of Luneta Park, where a crowd of more than 25,000 had gathered. The park is near the Manila Hotel, where the Johnsons will stay until Wednesday.