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- Feb 22, 2006
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CHINA PUTS AIR DEFENSE ON FULL ALERT
Hong Kong, Thursday. -- Communist China has strengthened its air defense network in areas bordering North Vietnam and placed it on full alert.
The alert has been ordered because of the threat from American planes attacking North Vietnamese targets, which had allegedly also bombed Chinese territory in Kwangsi Province bordering North Vietnam, United Press International reported.
The Chinese build-up included the expansion of surface-to-air missle (SAM) facilities and an increase in the number of Mig-21 jet interceptors.
Observers said the build-up had been in progress for some time and appeared to be entirely defensive.
The New China News Agency said yesterday civilians and army units in South China had denounced the U.S. for its "successive intrusions" into Chinese airspace.
The units held meetings and demonstrations to acclaim the "great victory" of the Chinese Air Force, which shot down five U.S. military planes over Kwangsi Province in eight days.
More Troops
In Washington, President Johnson yesterday indicated that he may soon raise the U.S. troop commitment in Vietnam.
He said at a Press conference that this would not be "immediately imminent -- not in the next few days or even the next few weeks."
He would not commit himself on the subject, but said the U.S. force structure was under study and he expected recommendations on troop needs from field commanders and the Pentagon.
General William Westmoreland has asked for an increase in ground troops this year to 600,000, compared with the 470,000 planned. (Present troop strength is 440,000.)
The question has gained urgency because of the escalation of the war on both sides.
Request
The President said he had discussed it with General Westmoreland, Commander in Chief Pacific Area, Admiral Ulysses Sharp, and others.
General Westmoreland and Admiral Sharp would make their request to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for evaluation, and would then go to Secretary of Defense, Mr McNamara, for recommendation.
"I have no recommendations at this time, but I am giving the matter my personal consideration," the President said.
Comments
"Admiral Sharp, General Westmoreland and other commanders have made comments to the Joint Chiefs and they are evaluating.
"No doubt in the weeks ahead, Secretary McNamara and General Wheeler (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) will make recommendations to me that I will consider."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
OPPOSITION IN U.S. SPLIT ON VIETNAM POLICY
Washington, Thursday. -- Republican party unity on the war in Vietnam has cracked wide open, following a White paper issued this week by the Senate Republican Policy Committee.
The White Paper seems aimed at dissociating Republicans from President Johnson's Vietnam policy, in preparation for next year's Presidential election.
It is the first indication that an influential faction in the Republican Party wants to present the American people with a clear alternative in next year's elections: a policy of cutting losses in Vietnam and ending U.S. commitments in Asia.
Dissidents
The White Paper has been repudiated by part of the Republican leadership, but is causing the most significant debate yet in the long Vietnam controversy.
It is a sign that America's involvement in Vietnam and in Asia will be a major and bitterly fought issue in the election.
Although the Republican Party shelters a few dissident doves, like Senators Charles Percy, of Illinois, and Mark Hatfield, of Oregon, the majority are hawks and the leadership has stood firmly behind the President's Vietnam policies.
The Senate Policy Committee, however, calls the war a "weary nightmare," blames President Kennedy and President Johnson for U.S. involvement, and suggests Republicans ought to think again about supporting it.
* Both above articles taken from the newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday, May 5, 1967.
Hong Kong, Thursday. -- Communist China has strengthened its air defense network in areas bordering North Vietnam and placed it on full alert.
The alert has been ordered because of the threat from American planes attacking North Vietnamese targets, which had allegedly also bombed Chinese territory in Kwangsi Province bordering North Vietnam, United Press International reported.
The Chinese build-up included the expansion of surface-to-air missle (SAM) facilities and an increase in the number of Mig-21 jet interceptors.
Observers said the build-up had been in progress for some time and appeared to be entirely defensive.
The New China News Agency said yesterday civilians and army units in South China had denounced the U.S. for its "successive intrusions" into Chinese airspace.
The units held meetings and demonstrations to acclaim the "great victory" of the Chinese Air Force, which shot down five U.S. military planes over Kwangsi Province in eight days.
More Troops
In Washington, President Johnson yesterday indicated that he may soon raise the U.S. troop commitment in Vietnam.
He said at a Press conference that this would not be "immediately imminent -- not in the next few days or even the next few weeks."
He would not commit himself on the subject, but said the U.S. force structure was under study and he expected recommendations on troop needs from field commanders and the Pentagon.
General William Westmoreland has asked for an increase in ground troops this year to 600,000, compared with the 470,000 planned. (Present troop strength is 440,000.)
The question has gained urgency because of the escalation of the war on both sides.
Request
The President said he had discussed it with General Westmoreland, Commander in Chief Pacific Area, Admiral Ulysses Sharp, and others.
General Westmoreland and Admiral Sharp would make their request to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for evaluation, and would then go to Secretary of Defense, Mr McNamara, for recommendation.
"I have no recommendations at this time, but I am giving the matter my personal consideration," the President said.
Comments
"Admiral Sharp, General Westmoreland and other commanders have made comments to the Joint Chiefs and they are evaluating.
"No doubt in the weeks ahead, Secretary McNamara and General Wheeler (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) will make recommendations to me that I will consider."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
OPPOSITION IN U.S. SPLIT ON VIETNAM POLICY
Washington, Thursday. -- Republican party unity on the war in Vietnam has cracked wide open, following a White paper issued this week by the Senate Republican Policy Committee.
The White Paper seems aimed at dissociating Republicans from President Johnson's Vietnam policy, in preparation for next year's Presidential election.
It is the first indication that an influential faction in the Republican Party wants to present the American people with a clear alternative in next year's elections: a policy of cutting losses in Vietnam and ending U.S. commitments in Asia.
Dissidents
The White Paper has been repudiated by part of the Republican leadership, but is causing the most significant debate yet in the long Vietnam controversy.
It is a sign that America's involvement in Vietnam and in Asia will be a major and bitterly fought issue in the election.
Although the Republican Party shelters a few dissident doves, like Senators Charles Percy, of Illinois, and Mark Hatfield, of Oregon, the majority are hawks and the leadership has stood firmly behind the President's Vietnam policies.
The Senate Policy Committee, however, calls the war a "weary nightmare," blames President Kennedy and President Johnson for U.S. involvement, and suggests Republicans ought to think again about supporting it.
* Both above articles taken from the newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday, May 5, 1967.
