U.S. to increase Pacific might

Press, 22 February 1978, Page 9

U.S. to increase Pacific might

NZPA Los Angeles The American Defence Secretary (Mr Harold Brown) has said that the Carter Administration is planning to strengthen its strategic forces in Asia and improve the Pacific fleet because of growing Soviet military strength in the region, the ‘‘New York Times” has reported. Mr Brown, in a policy speech designed to assure Asian nations that ’he Administration retained a powerful commitment to the Pacific region, said that Soviet capabilities, coupled with “major uncertainties” in the area made it necessary to keep a powerful American presence in Asia.

"We are and will remain a major force in the Pacific." Mr' Brown said in a speech to the World Affairs Council, a group of academic experts and business leaders concerned with international affairs. "It cannot be otherwise. We cannot be strong in Europe and weak in Asia. Indeed our strength in Asia supports our strength in Europe and vice versa. They are two sides of a coin.” Mr Brown, who flew to Los Angeles on Monday after four days in Honolulu, conferring with senior military officials in the Pacific command, emphasised that the Administration’s focus on the Atlantic alliance "has not been at the expense of our posture in Asia.”

"If we don’t give Asia its due — if we don’t maintain the necessary military forces, as well as enough political and military strength in the region to hedge against uncertainties — the favourable political balance we now find in Asia could deteriorate rapidly,” he said.

Besides the growth of Soviet military power in the Pacific, Mr Brown cited a handful of “uncertainties” that the United States faced in the area.

These include possible changes in Chinese-Soviet relations, the continuing North Korean threat against

South Korea, which could disrupt peace and involve the great powers, possible faltering economic development of less-developed non-communist nations, and fear that Vietnam “might undertake an adventuristic policy against non-commun-ist neighbours.”

“The situation in Asia Is more favourable to our interest than in the past," Mr Brown asserted. “We want to ensure this environment continues.”

“In the next five years,” he said, “we will be strengthening our forces In the region by the A introduction of several advanced weapon systems: Trident nuclear missiles for our submarine fleet. Cruise missiles for 8525, Fl 4 fighters for our carriers, Flss for Air Force squadrons, the Aerial Warning and Control System, and other improvements. We will maintain the size of our Pacific fleet and modernise and increase it to the extent our shipbuilding schedules permit."

The Associated Press reported that Mr Brown said the United States would safeguard Middle East and Persian Gulf oil supplies because they "cannot be. separated from our security." His emphasis on United States military interest in the “highly volatile” Middle East and Persian Gulf was the strongest yet by the Administration, which has referred increasingly to Middle East interests beyond Arab-Israeli issues and has planned a force of more than three divisions to respond quickly to trouble in the area..

"We intend to safeguard the production of oil and its transportation to consumer nations without interference by hostile powers.” He did not amplify the reference to “hostile powers,” but recent introduction of Soviet military advisers and up to 5000 Cubans to support Ethiopia in fighting in the Horn of Africa has caused new fears that expanded Russian influence could threaten oil supplies.