SOUTH VIETNAM

Press, Volume C, Issue 29508, 9 May 1961, Page 18

SOUTH VIETNAM

American Troops?

(N.Z Press Assn.—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, May 6.

The United States today moved nearer to a decision on whether to send American armed forces into South-east Asia. While the situation in Laos reached the stage of tentative cease-fire talks, the attention swung to neighbouring South Vietnam. President Kennedy indicated the seriousness of the situation when fie told his press conference yesterday that the proposal to send troops to South Vietnam was being considered. He said: “The problem of troops . . . and the matter of what we are going to do to assist Vietnam obtain its independence is a matter still under consideration.” The phrase "obtain its independence” was seen by some observers as indicating that the United States hoped to end all rebel activity in the State. Most of the rebel forces were believed to be supplied from Communist North Vietnam.

The seriousness with which the United States viewed the situation was shown when Mr Kennedy announced that Vice - President Johnson would have talks In Saigon with the President of South Vietnam (Mr Ngo Dinh Diem) during a tour of Asia expected to start next week. Whether United States battle troops land in South Vietnam was expected to depend on Mr Johnson's Saigon talks. Some observers considered that a token force was likely to be sent to the country. The “New York Times” said today that it was widely assumed in Washington that the South Vietnam President would ask for American troops to be stationed in his country. The newspaper said that the troops would be regarded as a guarantee of United States involvement should his country be attacked by the Communists in the north.