JOHNSON IN THAILAND

Press, Volume C, Issue 29518, 20 May 1961, Page 16

JOHNSON IN THAILAND

Communique Issued

IN 7. P.A -Heuter—Copyr’oht) BANGKOK, May 18. Vice - President Lyndon Johnson of the United States and Marshal Sarit Thanarat. the Prime Minister of Thailand, in a joint communique today reiterated their Governments' determination to fulfil their South-east Asia Treaty Organisation commitments “and go forward in steadfast partnership.” The communique, issued shortly before Mr Johnson’s departure from Bangkok for Karachi on the next stage of his Far East fact-finding tour, continued: “Both Governments found mutual understanding regarding the serious situation existing in parts of South-east Asia.” The jont communique, issued at the end of Mr Johnson’s two-day visit, said that the United States Government expressed its determination to honour its treaty commitments to support Thailand in defence against subversion and Communist aggression. Both Governments examined possible ways to strengthen Thai defence capabilities and agreed to explore ways in which this might be achieved through greater joint efforts and mutual sacrifices, and a military assistance programme involving the armed forces. The communique said both Governments pledged their diligent efforts to the advance of education, health, communcations, and other fields of modern progress in Thailand.