SOUTH KOREAN WISH FOR U.S. PROTECTION

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1949, Page 5

SOUTH KOREAN WISH FOR U.S. PROTECTION

SEOUL, May 1. President Syngman Rhee said, today that the Korean Republic had asked the United Slates for a mutual defence pact and an arms programme “sufficient to maintain South Korea’s security.” . Mr Rhee did not expand this point. but sources close to him said that talks now under way in Washington may lead to such an agreement. Mr Rhee said: “The most important thing is not whether or when the American troops will be withdrawn, but what attitude and policies the United States will maintain towards Korea. We are concerned about what the United States would do in case Korea is attacked. After all. the United States agreed to the entrance of Russian troops in North Korea.” _______ ■ Chaos in Burma RANGOON. May 1. Government troops swept down the North Burma Army centre of Meiktila and occupied Toungoo, Karen headquarters in Central Burma, 180 miles north of Rangoon. The Karens are believed to have abandoned Toungoo to reinforce their forward troops in tne Nyaungiebin-Daiku sector, where a major battie now continues. A Government communique says: “’White band insurgents have taken control of the Central Burma ral' wav town of Yamethin, 100 miles north of the Karen, stronghold o' Toungoo.” ' A seven-man commission, heacieu by the Supreme Court Justice (Sir Ba U) recommended to the President (Sao Shwe Thaike) that Burma’s elections which were due to be held on Julv 4, should be postponed because of internal conditions.