War Major S.E.A.T.O. Issue

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 17

War Major S.E.A.T.O. Issue

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, June 13. The Secretary of State (Mr Rusk) is expected to renew United States appeals for more allied contributions to South Vietnam when the Southeast Asia Treaty Council holds its annual meeting in Australia this month. American officials said the Vietnam war would be the

major issue before the eightnation defence organisation, which will meet in Canberra from June 27 to 29.

Mr Rusk’s preoccupation with the N.A.T.O. crisis and his absence from Washington last week, when he attended the N.A.T.O. ministerial meeting in Brussels, has delayed final approval of papers for the S.E.A.T.O. session. Officials are not certain how he will handle the Vietnam problem, although they predict that more allied sup-

port for the war will be a major issue. Of the eight S.E.A.T.O. members, Australia and New Zealand, apart from the United States, have combat troops serving In South Vietnam.

. Britain has about 50,000 troops in Malaysia, where she has been on guard against the threat of Indonesian military action.

The Philippines is hoping to send 2000 non-combat troops to Vietnam soon. Thailand is supplying aircraft and naval patrol ships. Pakistan is involved in troubled relations with India, and France has called for the neutralisation of the area and the withdrawal of foreign forces.

The American delegation for the S.E.A.T.O. talks has not been announced, but officials believe Mr Rusk will be accompanied to Canberra by Mr William Bundy, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, and Mr John McNaughton, Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Affairs.