McNamara Promises More Helicopters

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31187, 11 October 1966, Page 17

McNamara Promises More Helicopters

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright)

SAIGON, October 10.

The United States Defence Secretary, Mr Robert Mcnamara, arrived in Saigon today with a promise of more helicopters and pilots for America’s Vietnam war effort.

In a brief airport press conference he emphasised the United States Government’s limited objectives in the conflict, which he said did not include destroying North Vietnam.

Mr McNamara last visited South Vietnam almost a year ago when American troop strength was half its present level of 320,000 men. Future Requirements

He told reporters he hoped to get an appraisal of possible future United States aid requirements from the South Vietnamese Prime Minister, Air Vice-Marshal Nguyen Cao Ky.

Referring to the vast helicopter combat and supply fleet in South Vietnam, now numbering about 1800, Mr McNamara said: “This is a tremendous number and we are going to increase it.” Helicopter pilot training in the United States was being substantially expanded and there was no problem about operating machines already in use, he said.

Questioned on Air ViceMarshal Ky’s statements about a possible invasion of North Vietnam, Mr McNamara said: “We have made it clear many times that our objectives in South Vietnam are limited. “They do not include the destruction of the Communist regime in the North.” The United States aim was limited to assistance to South Vietnam —“That is and remains our objective,” he added. Mr McNamara said the United States was anxious to improve conditions in the demilitarised frontier with North Vietnam so the threenation International Control Commission could inspect it. American Marines have been engaged in heavy fighting along the six-mile wide zone for three months. Not Near Frontier

Mr McNamara said it was extremely unlikely he would have time to travel near the frontier during his four-day visit.

The United States Air Force Boeing which brought him to Saigon was escorted in and right down the runway bv two United States jet fighters. Mr McNamara will attend top-level military and politi-

cal briefings for American officials and tour troop units in tl ; battlef Id. Accompanied by General Earle G. Wheeler, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr Nicholas Katzenbach, the new’ United States Under-Sec-retary of State, Mr McNamara was greeted on the tarmac by the United States Ambassador, Mr Henry Cabot Lodge, and General William C. Westmoreland, the United States commander in Vietnam.

the future and to receive from them any indications they have of possible additional United States assistance,” Mr McNamara said.

Approaches Manned American and Vietnamese military police manned all the airport approaches. “Almost 12 months have elapsed since I was last in South Vietnam, and during that time the strength of United States forces, military forces assisting the South Vietnamese, had more than doubled.” Mr McNamara said. “So I think that it is quite appropriate that Genera) Wheeler. Under-Secretary of State Katzenbach and I should again visit South Vietnam to review the progress of military and other operations here.” he said. “We will discuss the matters with Ambassador Lodge. General Westmoreland, and other members of the United States Embassy. “In addition, we hope to meet with General Thieu (Nguyan Van Thieu, Chief of State) and Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky to hear their appraisal of the outlook for