‘Effect On N.Z. Of Vietnam War’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 16

‘Effect On N.Z. Of Vietnam War’

CNeic Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 25. The successful prosecution of the war in Vietnam was not only in the interests of Thailand but of New Zealand also, said the Thailand Deputy-Minister of Defence, and chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Chief-Mar-shal Dawee Chullasapya, in Auckland today.

Air Chief Marshal Dawee, who is accompanied by Mrs Dawee, will leave this afternoon for Wellington. He will call on the Chief of the Defence Staff (Rear-Ad-miral Sir Peter Phipps) and the Secretary of Defence (Mr J. K. Hunn) and will have discussions with the New Zealand service chiefs. Later he will see the Act-ing-Minister of Defence (Mr Hanan). He said Thailand knew that when the North Vietnam forces gained an ascendancy there would be an upsurge of Communist activity in the north-eastern part of Thailand. This died down when the South Vietnam forces gained the initiative. To counteract the movement of possible guerrilla forces into the country, strong border forces were maintained.

In addition, determined efforts were made to make the Thai people aware of the dangers of communism and of the benefits of the way of life they enjoyed. Mobile Units What were known as mobile development units, consisting of 70 men each, moved into the hinterland and brought the benefits of modern knowledge to the people of the area.

They built roads, wells, assisted with agricultural and health and education projects and made the people aware that their own Government

had their interests at heart. Thus, morale was high. But the successful prosecution of the war was also in New Zealand’s interests, he said. If Cambodia and Thailand fell, Malaya would be easy prey because so many with Communist sympathies were still in that country. And it was not reasonable to suppose that Communist ambitions would stop there. “Thailand is a rice bowl, Malaya has metals and down here there are a lot of things that they need,” he said.

“You must understand that the Communist aim is unfinished,” he said- “Optimistic people think that if we get together at conferences, the Communists will not move any more. But look at them.” He hoped the movement would stop when Korea was divided into two parts and he had similar hopes when Vietnam was divided. “Never Stop”

“When you deal with Communists you cannot hope that they are going to stop. They never stop.” Air Chief Marshall Dawee warned of the strong possibility ,of Communist logistic build-iip in the monsoon season. The low cloud ceiling in mountainous country would stop low flying and North Vietnam would take every opportunity to strengthen its forces.

A most important thing for New Zealanders to know, he said, was that Thailand was a firm friend. New Zealand’s efforts as a S.E.A.T.O. member were known and appreciated, but it should be known in New Zealand that Thailand’s morale was high and that it realised fully the importance of its role in stopping the advance of communism.