More U.S. Aid To South Vietnam

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 11

More U.S. Aid To South Vietnam

IN Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SAIGON, May 14

The independence and territorial integrity of South Vietnam were being brutally and systematically violated by Communist agents and forces from the north, said a joint communique issued by President Ngo Dinh Diem and Vice-President Johnson of the United States today.

The communique listed eight points of agreement between the two leaders at talks providing for increase of United States aid in a wide range of fields. The leaders agreed: (1) To extending existing programmes of military and economic aid “to infuse into their joint actions a high sense of urgency and dedication." (2) To increase the regular armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam and that the United States would extend its military assistance programmes to include support for an increase in the regular Vietnamese armed forces. (3) That the United States would provide military assistance programme support for the entire Vietnamese Civil Guard (military auxiliary force). (4) That the two Governments collaborate in the

use of military specialists to assist the Vietnamese armed forces in health, welfare and public works activities in villages. (5) That assistance of other Governments to South Vietnam would be welcome. (6) That a group of financial experts would meet in Vietnam to work out a financial plan on which joint efforts should be based. (7) That the United States and South Vietnam would discuss new economic and social measures to improve conditions in rural areas. (8) That the two Governments work together towards a longer range economic programme with an aim of a Vietnam capable of a selfsustained economic growth.

The communique said it was clear to both the Governments that actions must be strengthened and accelerated “to protect the legitimate rights and aspirations of the people of free Vietnam to choose their own way of life.” The two Governments agreed this was the basic principle upon which their understanding rested. “The United States recognises that the President of the Republic of Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, who was recently re-elected to office by an overwhelming majority of his countrymen in spite of bitter Communist opposition, is in the vanguard of those leaders who stand for freedom on the periphery of the Communist empire in Asia," the joint communique said.