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iiiiitiiiiiitnuiu‘Thailand Wants To DiscussspRollout of American TroopsBy SPEXCER DAVISWASHINGTON (AP) ~ The United States could continue effective air attacks on the enemy in South Vietnam by using just two of six air bases in Thailand if a general reduction of U.S. forces is ordered, say qualified American sources.These authorities also suggestthere could be a substantial cut in the U.S. support forces now stationed in Thailand.; Of the 49,200 Americans assigned there, more than one-fourth have support—not combat—duties.These subjects will be discussed soon when American and Thai officials begin consultations in Bangkok on a general reduction of U.S. forces in Thailand.The State Department revealed on Friday that Thai Foreign Minister Thanat Khoman has called in U.S. Ambassador Leonard Unger to say Thailand was prepared to discuss the matter.Thanat, apparently angered by the continuing controversy in the United States over a secret military contingency plan, wasquoted as saying: “The bestway to insure non-involvement of American manpower would be for Washington to withdraw the forces.”He said American leaders like Chairman J. W. Fulbright of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee apparently “did not believe their own government’s statements” that U.S. manpower was in Thailand because of the Vietnam war and would not be used for combat duly against guerrillas in Thailand.The State Department acknowledged that the Thai foreign minister had.taken the initiative in suggesting discussions of lowering the level of U.S. forces in Thailand.We, for our part, are willing Lo enter into these discussions,” said State Department Press Officer Robert J. McCloskey.,. ■The spokesman added there are about 48,000 U.S. military personnel—75 per cent Air Force, 25 per cent Army—In Thailand. In addition, 1,200 members of the U.S. Military Assistance Command are involved in training, assisting aridadvising Thai forces.The U.S. Air Force is operating from six major bases which belong to the Thai government U.S. officials suggest the‘U.S. would continue flights fromUdorn and the big B52 base atU-tapao without sacrificing effectiveness in the Vietnam war operations. The other four bases —Ubon, Korat, Tak-li and Na-korn-Phanom—could conceivably be shut down. ■ ■Much MoretoBRUSH FIRES crackle over thousands of parched areas in Southern California. Page 18AREA DAIRYMEN vote at Darien meeting to favor largeconsolidation plan. . .. Page 4Editorial HospitalsIVIov ies •••»*••*♦»«*♦,«»*,, 4f *5 Picture PageRadio-Television ...... ;8bociety , ,*, »7bports MM rT.V«VV MM 10, 11V-?*s- •
Newspaper Details
Janesville Gazette
Janesville, Wisconsin, US
Sat, Aug 23, 1969
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Robert B.
CA, USA 06 Aug 2020
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