Bigger War May Be Guam Subject

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31319, 15 March 1967, Page 13

Bigger War May Be Guam Subject

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 13. Intensification of the Vietnam war is believed to be the major topic to be discussed at next week’s strategy talks between President Johnson and his top advisers on the Pacific island of Guam.

Officials said they would not be surprised if the President appointed General William Westmoreland, the United States commander in Vietnam, as theatre commander in South-east Asia, raising him to a position comparable to those held by Generals Eisenhower and MacArthur in the Second World War. General Westmoreland, who is now subordinate to the Pacific commander-in-chief. Admiral Ulysses Sharp, would then have over-all charge of operations in South-east Asia, including direct control over planes and warships attacking North Vietnam. The formation of a new South-east Asia command would undoubtedly be interpreted as an indication that the United States was strengthening its military commitment in Vietnam. Mr Johnson will leave Washington next Saturday night for the Guam talks which General Westmoreland and Mr Henry Cabot Lodge, the United States Ambassador in Saigon, are also due to attend.

The Prime Minister of South Vietnam, Air Vice-

Marshal Ky, has received no message inviting his participation and it is considered unlikely that any South Vietnamese delegation will attend. The White House Press Secretary, Mr George Christian, said the conference, expected to last for two or three days, would discuss the “highest military and diplomatic matters.” The air war over North Vietnam growing, there was speculation here that the talks would focus on means of increasing military pressure until Hanoi agreed to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the war. Although Washington insists that United States military and political goals in Vietnam are limited, the trend in the last few weeks has pointed clearly to harder air blows against the North and intensification of the ground war in the South.

Indonesian Mission.— An Indonesian trade mission will visit Australia next summer and a spokesman for the Ministry of Trade said it was hoped that New Zealand will be included in the itinerary. —Djakarta, March 14.