New Look In Vietnam

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31702, 11 June 1968, Page 17

New Look In Vietnam

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, June 10.

In the sprawling Saigon military headquarters building that is the nerve centre of the war in Vietnam there is an almost buoyant mood of expectancy as a new commander with a new look prepares to take over this week.

Although the conflict is entering a critical, and possibly deadlier phase, the feeling prevails that General Creighton Abrams, jun., will somehow sort out its intricacies better than his old West Point classmate, General William C. Westmoreland.

This mood of change and expectancy has been reinforced by sweeping replacements in other key command positions, and although General Westmoreland is “moving upstairs,” to become the United States’ Army Chief of

Staff after four years in Viet nam, the fanfare of his departure has been muted. The deliberate slowness of General Westmoreland’s departure evidently was planned. With peace talks afoot, President Johnson wanted to show no lack of confidence in his military commanders, past or present. Equally important, the President is said to have wanted to dampen speculation that General Westmoreland was being hastily removed. Waiting loyally and with well-concealed impatience during the lengthy changeover period, General Abrams is an outspoken commander who won his spurs under General George S. Patton in World War 11. While the troops in Vietnam know that major decisions will still be shaped in Washington, it is felt that General Abrams will place his unmistakeable stamp on policy. If nothing else, there will be a new “style” in Vietnam.

Where General Westmoreland was the decorated, cor-

rect, military diplomat, General Abrams is the rumpled, diamond •in • the - rough who has only lately learned the political niceties. The airborne officers who surrounded “Old Paratrooper” Westmoreland have been thinned out in favour of the infantry and armour men. General Abrams is a ground soldier, and proud of it So are bis two sons, who have done tours in Vietnam—one in tanks and the other in artillery. While these things are hardly significant, they portend a “no-nonsense” approach to the war and an effort to shake out of the frills and impart new vigour into the cumbersome military machinery. But in making changes, General Ahrams will be conscious of General Westmoreland’s legacy. No-one expects any radical moves which might discredit General West moreland’s four-year record. General Abrams has never been critical of that record, and if he has reservations they remain personal.