Schlesinger predicts fall of Cambodia without aid

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33777, 25 February 1975, Page 17

Schlesinger predicts fall of Cambodia without aid

i (By LESLIE H. GELB of the “New York Times," through N.Z.P.A.) WASHINGTON, February 24. The Secretary of Defence (Mr James Schlesinger) said yesterday that Cambodia would “absolutely” fall into Communist hands if Congress did not provide the SLJS222 million in military aid requested by the Ford Administration. Appearing on the American Broadcasting Company’s “Issues and Answers,” Mr Schlesinger used the strongest public words so far by any Administration officials in justifying the need for new funds for the Phnom Penh Government.

He said that the loss of Cambodia would be “a foreign policy disaster” for the United States, and, by implication, that the alleged disaster would be the responsibility of Congress. He based his case on the so-called "domino theory” arguing that this theory has been “overly discredited” and that the fall of Indo-China would make the American word “suspect” in the

Middle East, China, and elsewhere. The Administration has asked Congress for an emergency supplemental aid package of SUS3OOm for South Vietnam and SUS22m for Cambodia. The package has received little Congressional support so far.

Asked if unfavourable Congressional action on the aid to Cambodia would lead to the collapse of the Phnom Penh Government, the Secretary replied “Absolutely. I think that the chances of their surviving over a period of many months are minimal without that additional assistance.

“The great powers in history,” he continued, “have earned the term perfidious because of their desertion of their allies, and I would hate to see the United States earn that particular reputation.” Widely known in Washington for his candour and bluntness, Mr. Schlesinger gave several other straightforward responses to questions.

In defending the Pentagon’s 8U5104.7 billion Budget request, he maintained that detente “rests on an equilibrium of force,” implying that detente would quickly evaporate if the Russians got the upper hand militarily.

The standard Administration position is to stress that detente rests on the SovietAmerican mutual interest in the avoidance of nuclear war.

Mr Schlesinger rejected a proposal made on Saturday by Senator Edward Kennedy (Democrat, Massachussetts) for a six-month moratorium on arms sales to the Persian Gulf States pending a policy review.

The Secretary said that “we are engaged in attempting to maintain influence in these areas, to maintain close relationships, and arms represents a symbol of those kinds of relationships.” He also emphasised that if the United States did not sell the arms, others would. Mr Schlesinger also took the opportunity of the television interview to announce that he had ordered the military services to extend the period of enlistment from two to three years. This, he said, would cut costs and improve readiness. Only the Air Force at present requires enlistments beyond two years.