Changes In S. Vietnam War Policy Planned

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 13

Changes In S. Vietnam War Policy Planned

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 12. United States officials said yesterday that the South Vietnam Government plans major changes in its strategic hamlet programme to help intensify the war against Communist guerrillas.

United States officials have long been unhappy with the strategic hamlet programme. Although it proved successful in combatting Communist subversion in Malaya, it has failed so far in South Vietnam. American authorities felt the regime of the late President Ngo Dinh Diem built too many of the barbed wireprotected villages. Many could not be defended against Communist attacks and served as a fixed target for the fastmoving guerrillas. Officials said the new programme would include: Reducing to a minimum the number of forced relocations of peasants into fortified hamlets. Payment of compensation to peasants required to leave their homes to enter the hamlets. Providing not only security but economic and social benefits quickly and

effectively to areas which have been cleared of the Viet Cong guerrillas. Mr Robert McNamara, the United States Defence Secretary, flew to Hue, 400 miles north of Saigon, yesterday, and in a speech there pledged continued aid to South Vietnam in its fight against Communist guerrillas. The United States, he said, would give South Vietnam “whatever economic aid, whatever military aid,, training and equipment is needed now and forever.” In spite of rain, crowds estimated up to 50,000 welcomed Mr McNamara and South Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Major-General Nguyen Khanh. The visit to the ancient imperial city was largely devoted to publicly showing American support for General Khanh. Mr McNamara held confidential discussions with officials during the flights to Hue and back to Saigon. He reviewed his tentative conclusions with General Khanh and other members of his party, which included General Maxwell Taylor, chairman of the United States

Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the United States Ambassador, Mr Henry Cabot Lodge. Back in Saigon, Mr McNamara began drafting his report to President Johnson on what is needed to win the war against the Viet Cong.