International Critical general sacked

Press, 23 May 1977, Page 9

International Critical general sacked

NZPA-Reuter Washington An American general who criticised Carter’s plans to withdraw troops from South Korea has been relieved of his command. The United States Army’s j chief-of-staff in South Korea (Major-General John Singlaub) has been told during a meeting with President Carter that he will be reassigned. The United States Defence Secretary (Mr Harold Brown) announced the disciplinary action after he and; General Singlaub had a half-; hour talk with the President! on Saturday.

Mr Carter had summoned the genera! back to Wash-1 ington to explain an interview last week with the! 'Washington Post” in which; he was quoted as saying: “If! we withdraw our ground troops on the schedule sug-! Igested, it will lead to war.” I Mr Brown said that such! public statements were, inconsistent with national: security policy and had! “made it very’ difficult for him (General Singlaub) to carry out the duties of his present assignment.” General Singlaub. aged 54, held high staff posts during’ the Korean war and in Viet-! nam before becoming the third-ranked United States

officer in South Korea. He J ’has been in the army for 34,: I years. h The Carter Administration; I has plans to withdraw the 32,000 ground troops in I | South Korea over five years, j< ; although air units will re- ! main there. 1 ' I Before meeting General ■ Singlaub, Mr Carter had; talks with General George ' ; Brown, chairman of the i ( Joint Chiefs of Staff, and theq Under-Secretary ' of State (Mr Philip Habib). They will;' go to Korea this week to!' discuss the withdrawal. The White House empha-j< sised that the two men : ’ would hold “serious con- e

sultation” with South Korean leaders of the withdra-) iwal. Mr Jody Powell, the; White House press secretary,) has warned “any potential; aggressor” that the United) States will honour its com-) mitments in Asia and the) Pacific. Observers say his warning 1 was aimed at North Korea. ; “Any potential aggressor should have no doubt about) the steadfastness of our’ commitment to maintaining! peace and . stability in that; region and our commitment! to the republic of Korea, in! spite of any United States! withdrawals,” said Mr Pow-i ell.