U.S. Seeks European Aid In Vietnam

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30937, 18 December 1965, Page 15

U.S. Seeks European Aid In Vietnam

(N.Z. Fre»l A.aociation—Copyright) PARIS, Dec. 17. The United States is “open to any offers” for European aid in Vietnam, American officials said today.

They said an appeal by the Secretary of State (Mr Rusk) to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation council had covered aid ranging from ambulances and hospital supplies to outright military assistance, including tanks and troops. The officials called the first N.A.T.O reaction to the plea “predictable,” and admitted it was not encouraging. One American source commented: “There certainly was no frenzy of applause." The comment coincided with unofficial reports that Russia is organising a conference of Communist parties to co-ordinate aid for North Vietnam. Moscow is believed to have told the satellites to be ready to make supplies available for the Vietnamese Communists. Mr Rusk told the N.A.T.O. council the Vietnam war was not just an American action, but could decide the fate of Europe. He emphasised that if the United States abandoned its commitment to defend South Vietnam, neither Russia nor the West could be sure Wash-

ington would honour its European pledges. Sources said that In the coming months the United States would carry an increasingly heavy military burden in Vietnam. At the same time it was maintaining the equivalent of a six-division Army in Europe for the defence of N.A.T.O. allies. Officials said that as American activity in Vietnam increased and American casualty lists mounted, the number of American troops idle in Europe could become a political issue in the United States. The allies could help in Vietnam by sending troops—as Australia, New Zealand and South Korea had done—or by contributing money, food, medical supplies, hospital staffs or other non-military aid.

American officials noted that nine NAT.O. countries were already sending nonmilitary aid to South Vietnam. But they indicated that the United States would increase its pressure for more of such aid.