Order by Pentagon BarsComment on Peace Talks
Date: 10 January 1973
By ERIC PACESpecial to The New York Times
US Defense Dept directive sent to mil commands around the world on Dec 30 forbids all dept employes, civilian and mil, to comment on the resumption of Vietnam peace talks; ACLU reveals existence of directive after 2 of its offices receives complaints from dept personnel that they were being gagged; ACLU exec dir A Neier sent lr to Sec M R Laird criticizing the order and asking that it be rescinded; dept makes pub text of directive, signed by Deputy Asst Sec J W Friedheim, after inquiry by newsmen; declines comment on directive; dept officials say privately it has not been rescinded; Neier scores order as 'incredibly sweeping'; says it ignores fact that dept personnel have const rights