Review Of U.S. Policies

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 19

Review Of U.S. Policies

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Dec. 5. A world-wide assessment of American policies and commitments will be undertaken by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee early in the New Year, the Associated Press reports. The committee’s chairman, Senator Fulbright, disclosed this in an interview and said Administration officials will be asked to outline to the committee developments in Vietnam, China and N.A.T.O.

Similar hearings earlier this year developed into bitter arguments between some committee members, the Secretary of State, Mr Dean Rusk, and others over Vietnam policies.

They also brought differenes of opinion over the American position on China. Senator Fulbright, a strong critic of President Johnson’s course in Vietnam, said the committee was planning what has become an annual updating for members who may be called upon to vote on presidental proposals in the international field. He said no definite arrangements have been made, but he presumes public hearings would be held, along with closed sessions at which nat-

ional security matters would be discussed. The secretary of Defence, Mr Robert McNamara, declined to testify publicly in last February’s hearings on Vietnam. Senator Fulbright, who once proposed the neutralisation of South-east Asia with the withdrawal of both United States and Chinese troops from the area, said the committee will be interested in tryihg to find out what is going on in Peking.

Administration officials told newsmen and others at a State Department briefing last week that they do not know what is going on in China. But, apparently, it is Senator Fulbright’s hope they will have more information when the committee meets. The Senate Democratic leader, Mr Mike Mansfield, a committee member, is expected to press again for American troop reductions in Europe. This subject undoubtedly will come up when the committee explores the impact of France’s withdrawal of troops from the N-A.T.O. alliance.

Representative Thomas Curtis, a Republican from Missouri, suggested in Frankfurt. Germany, last week that a cutback in United States troop strength in Europe may be necessary to help bring budgetary expenditures closer in line with revenues. This is one of the arguments Senator Mansfield has been advancing, But there has been no sign that President Johnson is moving toward economies in that field in current efforts to cut spending.

Concert Tour. Maurice Chevalier, the 78-year-old French singer and actor, has announced that he is going to South Africa on a 20-con-cert tour next January.— Paris, Dec. 5.