Thieu promotes generals

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 15

Thieu promotes generals

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, September 2. President Nguyen Van Thieu has promoted eight top staff officers on the eve of the start of campaigning for the October Presidential election.

The official news agency, Vietnam Press, reported today that among those promoted was Major-General Tran Van Minh, commander of the Vietnamese Air Force whose rank was raised to lieutenant-general. Vietnam Press gave no reasons for the promotion of the officers who all have been elevated from two star to three star generals. However, observers pointed out that General Minh’s promotion might be connected with the present political crisis over the exclusion of the former Air Vice-Marshal, Vice-president Nguyen Cao Ky, from the Presidential race.

There has been speculation that the Air Force might not support President Thieu in any struggle for power. Another promotion was Major-General Tran Van Trung, chief of the central political warfare agency who controls all military radio stations and intelligence services.

President Thieu also promoted the commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Major-General Nguyen Xuan Thinh, whose headquarters are only 40 miles from Saigon.

The other officers promoted were in charge of military training centres or special “advisers” to the Government

Military sources said that the promotions, ordered personally by President Thieu, was the largest number of top officers ever promoted at one time. The sources said that the

promotions increased by more than one half the num- ’ her of lieutenant generals in South Vietnam’s Armed

Forces and left only one military superior. This is General Cao van Vien, Chief of the General Staff.