A South Vietnamese official said Thursday that his government is interested in Israeli military and security aid. According to a Maariv correspondent in Saigon, the official said “South Vietnam expects to get Israeli tactical assistance in training and advisory capacity to match the needs of Saigon with the withdrawal of the American units.” The correspondent said the official stressed that the idea has been “coordinated with” the U.S. and that U.S. officials “favor it.”
The official, who emphasized that Saigon expects to continue the battle “against Communist aggression,” indicated that his government has heard of Israel’s paramilitary nahal settlements and may want to adapt them to its purposes. The two countries established diplomatic relations last week and will soon exchange ambassadors.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.