S.E.A.T.O.’S ROLE IN VIETNAM

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 13

S.E.A.T.O.’S ROLE IN VIETNAM

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright, CANBERRA, May 30. The chief of Thailand’s armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya, yesterday forecast increased S.E.A.T.O. involvement in Vietnam.

“I foresee that all members of S.E.A.T.O. will make some contribution in Vietnam, ’ he said. , . At present only three of the eight S.E.A.T.O. nations are involved militarily in Vietnam. They are the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The other members nations are Britain, France, Thailand, Pakistan and the Philippines. Marshal Dawee, who Is also Thailand’s Deputy Defence Minister, made this comment on arrival in Canberra for a two-day visit. Increased S.E.A.T.O. involvement in Vietnam could

be "military or logistic support,” he said. Asked if Thailand was ready to send troops to Vietnam, Marshal Dawee said: "I cannot tell you at this moment, but I can tell you one thing—we are involved." French Intentions Marshal Dawee said he did not think France planned to withdraw completely from S.E.A.T.O.—in spite of France’s latest decision decision to withdraw its military personnel from S.E.A.T.O. headquarters in Bangkok. The French move would not weaken S.E.A.T.O. militarily, Marshal Dawee said. “I do not think France will pull out completely because it recently paid its contribution towards the cost of a proposed new headquarters for S.E.A.T.O. In Bangkok,” he said. On Vietnam, he said: “It will take a long time but there will be a peaceful end if America and her allies do not pull out.”