AUST. IN VIETNAM

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30959, 15 January 1966, Page 13

AUST. IN VIETNAM

Asia c Not Angry’ (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY, Jan. 14. The Cambodian Ambassador to Australia said today Asia was not angered by Australian troops in Vietnam “because it is just a little token force.” The Ambassador, Prince Norodom Norandeth, said at Sydney Airport: “1 think it is understood that Australia is America’s friend and could not possibly refuse to take part in Vietnam. But we see this is just a little token force—just symbolic participation.” General opinion might change if Australia sent additional troops, but he could not say how many troops would constitute the “token” limit.

The Ambassador, who will retire next month, had returned from a visit to Rangoon. “For economy reasons, I am Ambassador to Burma, too.” he said. “But my replacement will be a fulltime Ambassador to Australia” All Cambodian diplomatic exchanges to the United States have come through Australia since diplomatic relations between America and Cambodia were broken last year.

S. Vietnam Losses

(N Z P A -Reuter —Copyright) SAIGON, January 14. South Vietnamese forces lost 11,256 killed in their fight against the Viet Cong last year, a South Vietnam military spokesman said today A further 9049 were listed as missing—believed defected to the guerrillas.