Thais Uneasy About Nixon’s Plans

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32053, 30 July 1969, Page 17

Thais Uneasy About Nixon’s Plans

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

BANGKOK, July 29.

President Nixon today began talks with Thai leaders in Bangkok on the sensitive subject of America’s future role in the defence and economic development of Thailand.

Subjects to be discussed include future United States support in the defence of Thailand against Communist aggression. Government officials are worried that an American withdrawal from Vietnam would increase pressure on Thailand and make it the next victim for the Communists. The apparent victories of the Communists in neigh-

bouring Laos are adding to Thailand’s worry. Diplomatic sources said that the question of a reduction of America’s force of 48,000 in Thailand would also come up in the talks. The United States has six big air bases in Thailand supporting the United States war effort in Vietnam. One of these bases, Übon, was raided early yesterday by Communist guerrillas. A parallel reduction in United States troops might be expected with the reduction in South Vietnam. With President Nixon is his special assistant, Dr Henry Kissinger. The Thai side is headed by the Thai Prime Minister (Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn), the Foreign Minister (Mr Thanat Khornan) and the Interior Minister (General Praphas Charusathien) The President, In a special statement issued through the White House soon after he arrived from Djakarta, bluntly told the Thais that to depend on others to protect

them from Internal subversion was almost as damaging to a country’s fibre as an armed attack. During the Asian tour the President, stressing a policy of “no more Vietnams” for Americans, has said that the United States must rule out intervention in Asian problems except for an attack launched by a major power with nuclear weapons. But he has been vague about the details and his remarks have been contradictory on occasion. Before issuing his formal statement last night, Mr Nixon, who had received the key of the city from the Bangkok Mayor (RearAdmiral Chalit Kulkanthorn) responded by pledging that the United States would hon-

■ our its S.E.A.T.O. commit- ! ment to Thailand. i He said: “We have been together in the past. We are to- ! gether at the present. And ’ the United States will stand • proudly with Thailand i against those who might : threaten it from abroad—or • from within.”