Laird has talks in South Korea

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 17

Laird has talks in South Korea

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter- Copyright)

SEOUL, July 14

The United States Defence Secretary (Mr Melvin Laird) left Seoul by air for the United States today after a three-day visit during which he discussed defence matters with the South Korean Government.

Speaking before leaving, Mr Laird said that no American ground troop withdrawal from South Korea was planned for the 1972 fiscal year, but new troop withdrawals could be made in future depending on the progress of South Korean forces. The United States brought home 20,000 troops by June this year after promising to modernise the South Korean forces over the next five years. The withdrawal left 43’,000 United States troops in South Korea.

Mr Laird told an airport press conference that the budget ending in June next year maintained the present United States military presence in South Korea.

“Of course, that does not mean to say that the level will be maintained forever,” Mr Laird said. He added: “As we move forward with the modernisation programme (for the Korean forces) changes can be made as we acquire additional capabilities.” Asked whether the United States would transfer nuclear weapons from Okinawa to South Korea after the island’s reversion to Japanese con-

trol, Mr Laird said: “I don’t discuss the movement or positioning of nuclear weapons, for it tends to destroy nuclear deterrent.”

The Defence Minister (Mr Jung) said that the main emphasis during his two-day talks with Mr Laird was on assessment of the danger from the North. The Korean Government expressed the view that the danger of a surprise attack from the North still existed and was even growing, Mr Jung said.

But the Americans, speaking from a broader worldwide strategic viewpoint, said that a surprise North Korean attack was not likely in view of the combined South Korean and American forces in the south and the United States military strength in the Pacific, Mr Jung added. During his three-day visit, Mr Laird also visited American and South Korean troops stationed below the Demilitarised Zone.