U.S. COMMITMENT TO AID THAILAND

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29766, 8 March 1962, Page 15

U.S. COMMITMENT TO AID THAILAND

Action Without Prior Consultation Of Allies (N Z.P A -Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 7. The United States reaffirmed today that it would act to stop any Communist aggression against Thailand without prior agreement of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation. It also promised to increase military aid to Thailand to the greatest extent possible.

In a joint communique winding up a five-day visit by the Thai Foreign Minister, Thanat Khoman, the United States reaffirmed its position that the obligation to resist Communist aggression under the eight-nation South-East Asia Treaty was individual, as well as collective.

This has been a matter of dispute in the S.EA.T.O alliance, with some countries indicating S.E.A.T.O. could act only by unanimous vote. Although the United States statement referred to defence of Thailand, diplomats said it presumably applied equally to outright aggression against any other country in South-east Asia. The statement' said the Secretary of State (Mr Rusk) assured Mr Khoman that “the United States intends to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes."

Mr Rusk reaffirmed that the United ’ States regarded the preservation of Thailand’s independence and integrity as vital to the United States’ national interest and to world peace. ‘‘He expressed the firm intention of the United States to aid Thailand, its ally and historic friend, in resisting Communist aggression and subversion,” the joint statement said. Mr Khoman told reporters after the communique had been issued that he and the Secretary of State had succeeded in reaching “a very satisfying understanding” which would strengthen both American-Thai relations and S.E.A.TO. as a whole. Welcome In Bangkok In Bangkok, Thai officials welcomed the United States commitment to aid Thailand. Thailand, according to Defence Ministry sources, has

plans to modernise the armed forces and improve its guerrilla warfare capabilities.

The question of military aid was discussed by Thai officials over the week-end with Admiral Harry D. Felt. Commander - in - Chief of United States Forces in the Pacific. He is to testify before a United States Congressional committee later this month.

The possibility that Thai troops might have to fight a jungle war against Communist guerrillas was brought out last month when proCommunist Pathet Lao forces attacked Nam Tha, a provincial capital in northwest Laos, about 50 miles from the Thai border.

Thailand shares a land border with Laos in the northern region, which is mountainous and heavily forested. Observers said that because of the understanding reached between Mr Rusk and Thanat Khoman, a substantial increase in United States economic and military aid could be expected, although it would not be on the same scale as the present commitment to South Vietnam. Already, elements of one United States Army engineer battalion are in Thailand to help build a strategic highway linking coastal towns along the Gulf of Siam to the north-eastern region bordering Laos.