November 26, 1977

Miller walks out of talks with coal operators, calling strike on Dec 6 inevitable; cites operators' refusal to discuss saving of health and retirement system and restoration of med benefits cut last summer; operators express willingness to continue talks; strike is expected to have little natl econ impact, but it will be unusually hard on miners, who will lose all health and retirement benefits as soon as it begins (M)

Nov 26: Syrian Information Min Ahmed Iskander rules out Syrian participation at Geneva conf under present circumstances, but leaves door open to negotiated settlement with Israel, news conf; says Sadat's visit split Arabs and spurred Israeli intransigence on PLO and withdrawal from West Bank; emphasizes need for Arab solidarity to 'isolate Sadat, not Egypt'; says Syria will not bow to Iraqi conditions for reconciliation--rejection of UN Resolution 242 and rejection of negotiated settlement with Israel; refuses to attack any country for supporting Sadat's moves but supports charge in Syrian-Palestinian statement that US was behind Sadat visit; says Foreign Min Khaddam will fly to Moscow for consultation; Syrian press agency says Khaddam met with PLO leader Arafat and other leaders of Al Fatah to rev Sadat's visit and its 'dangerous repercussions'; says agreement was reached to foil Sadat's plans (M)

illus of youngster in Macy's toy dept, Salvation Army trumpter playing carols outside store, and 40 Santa's helpers headed for stations

BANGKOK, Thailand, Nov. 25—Thailand, one of the principal first havens of refuge for Vietnamese fleeing their country in small boats, has taken an increasingly hostile attitude toward the refugees, and, after rarely refusing refuge in the two and a half years since the Communist victory in Indochnia, has begun to send boats out to sea.

Bergland seeks ways to end squeeze on farm prices in wake of protests by farmers; illus (M)