New U.S. Command In South Vietnam

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 11

New U.S. Command In South Vietnam

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyrlp/U) WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.

The United States yesterday set up a unique military command in Saigon to direct an intensified aid effort in South Vietnam’s war against Communist guerrillas.

The primary purpose was to demonstrate the determination of the United States to prevent a Communist takeover, according to the “New York Times.” The new military command was established with the concurrence of the Government of President Ngo Dinh Diem and is called the United States Military Assistance Command (Vietnam) Its commande- will be General Donald Harkins, who has been promoted from Lieutenant-General to full General by a decision of President Kennedy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to emphasise the importance attached to his command Genera] Harkins had been Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff. U.S Army. Pacific. The new command will include the present Military Assistance Advisory Group Stated Reason The Associated Press said the stated reason for the move was to set up a U.S. operational control for American helicopter, reconnaissance and other missions in support of the South Vietnamese Army against Communist guerillas. It was described as an out-

growth of the greatly expanded U.S. effort which began last year, rather than heralding any big new helip. The South Vietnamese Army is being built to 200,000 men with U.S. money, equipment and advice. The Communist Viet Cong forces are estimated to number about 20,000 and are supported by Communist North Vietnam.

A Defence Department spokesman said the move implied no commitment to send U.S. fighting forces to South Vietnam. But the new command would provide a framework for direction of any American fighting units—if a decision were made to throw them in. A P said. A Defence Department spokesman acknowledged that the creation of the operational command stressed that “we intend to win.” As one source put it: “This is a war we can’t afford to lose.” A.P. said the Defence Department statement said: “The new command will enable the United States to carry out more effectively the expanded assistance and support requested by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam to help that country preserve its freedom and independence against Communist aggression.” The creation of the new command came the day after President Kennedy’s press conference assertion that “we are assisting in every way we properly can” to preserve the independence of pro-Western South Vietnam The “New York Times” said United States forces in Vietnam were now estimated at between 2000 and 4000

men. Many of these men were taking part in tactical operations in battle areas, including support roles in transport and communications. Some were serving in so-called mobile training teams of eight to 12 men. A Defence Department spokesman said yesterday that these men “are not in combat.” Nevertheless, they had instructions to shoot back if shot at, he added. In the conditions obtaining in South Vietnam, he said, American soldiers were going to be shot at from time to time and “we may lose some people.” This was unavoidable when U.S. advisers were serving with the Vietnamese Army “down to the company level.”