THAILAND AID

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29828, 22 May 1962, Page 14

THAILAND AID

Three Parts Of N.Z. Offer (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON. May 21. Thailand has not yet indicated which, if any. of three offers of New Zealand armed support in the present crisis would be acceptable. The Cabinet considered the position this afiernoon. and confirmed New Zealand’s oner of forces if required. A formal request from Thailand is needed before any New Zealand forces can be sent. The New Zealand contingent to go to Thailand, if needed, could be one or more of the following Navy.—The new Whitby-class frigate. H.M.N.Z.S. Taranaki. at present in FatEastern waters, could be ordered into the Thailand area with a mini-i mum of delay. Army—A detachment of S.A.S. troops specially! trained in operations) against guerrilla forces, j is ready to move. It is expected that this unit j would be of about 39men. and that it could be; flown straight in by a DC6 aircraft of No. 40 (Transport) Squadron.! R.N.Z.A.F. Air Force.—This support could be provided by No. 41 Squadron of Bristol Freighters based in Singapore, backed up by the Bristol Freighter unit now at Whenuapai Air Force support would probably be limited to one full squadron of 10 to 12 aircraft. Although New Zealand is concerned about the provision of a token force in Thailand, the main effort in South-east Asia is still likely to be devoted to capital and [ technical assistance in the) South Vietnam area. In the Cabinet this after- j noon, the implications off statements by the United States Secretary of State (Mr Rusk) were considered. Mr Rusk told New Zealand Ministers that the health worker in South-east Asian villages was as much in the firing line against Communist infiltration as was the soldier in uniform.