JOHNSON’S PLEDGE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 11

JOHNSON’S PLEDGE

U.S. Aid To S. Vietnam

tN Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON. May 12 The United States VicePresident (Mr Johnson) today pledged greatly increased American aid to South Vietnam. Mr Johnson, speaking to the packed National Assembly in Saigon, said the new aid would include:

Assistance in the training and equipping of a civil guard (an armed constabulary forming auxiliary local forces for aiding the Army, numbering at present 50.000) Improvement in the Selfdefence Corps (armed civilians forming village defence units)

Help tn increasing regular military forces (now 150.000) by a “substantial number"

American aid to education, rural development, new industry, and long-range economic development “We make these proposals of ours in a desire to work with you in a common cau«e at this critical time." Mr Johnson said “I know your Government will want to give these proposals careful consideration in advance of its own ideas “I’m confident that your Government and our new Ambassador <Mr Frederick E. Nolting) will be able to work together to develop an agreement which both of our countries can pursue with vigour and decision "

Bus Tragedy.—A ous carrying schoolboys plunged 300 feet into a ravine yesterday near Kykko Monastery south-west Cvprus. killing two of the boys and the driver. Ten other boys were seriously injured.—Nicosia. May 12