Evening star., 1961-02-02

ulaTIy WLlcn SO many nave Deen
unemployed for so long a period
of time.
u. S. Foreign Picture
Unsatisfactory
@. Some people interpreted
your address to the Congress as
indicating that you found con-
ditionS very much worse upon
taking office than you had an
ticipated. Is this interpreta-
ton correct, and If so, can you
give us some specifics?
A. I think the situation is
less satisfactory than it was
last fall, and I am not con-
vinced as yet that the tide in
some Of the critical areas in
which the United States is
involved has turned in our
favor.
I think that anyone who
reads the daily papers knows
Of the critical events in Laos
the Communist Intervention in
that area, and I think that
they are aware Of the fact that
the situation in the Congo is
deteriorating sharply recently
with the steady withdrawal Of
troops taking place by United
Nations countries.
They are also aware Of the
steps which have been taken
in recent months to increase
the iron control Of Mr.. Castro
in Cuba, and the shipments OF
thousands Of tons Of arms to
that country, and the expan-
sion Of the militia, and those
are all factors which affect
the security Of the United
States.
@. Mr.. President, what pro-
posals might the United States
make in regard to the Congo
now, as you mentioned. that
the situation there is deterior-
ating because Of the pull-out
of troops?
A. Ambassador Timberlake is
here for consultation in Wash
ington now, and Ambassador
Brown from Laos is here, and
Gen. Norstad, who Is out NATO
Commander, is here in Wash
ington. and Am b a Ssa d OF
Thompson will be coming back
next week, so that we are con-
sidering carefully what policies
we should follow In all Of these
areas Of crisis.
Particularly, we are consid-
ering the matter Of the Congo
carefully, and what use ful
steps might be taken which
would prevent a further de-
terioration, but I will not have
anything further to say on II
just at this time.
Q. Mr.. President, do you plan
any recommendations in the
labor management relations
field in your future messages
to Congress since you have moi
covered this subject in youl
addresses to date?
A. I would have to wait or
that. 1t is not within the next
IA days.
@. Mr.. President, In connec'
ton with your statement on tn,
military dependents. is this t,
be a flat repeal Of the existinl
directive?
A. Yes, sir.
@. Do you agree with tn,
general assessment that tn
narrowness Of the House vott
yesterday on enlarging tht
Rules Committee means rough
going ahead for your Legislative
program?
A. Well, the Speaker was sue
cessful yesterday. and that doe
mean that the House will hav
an opportunity to vote on all o
these bills. I do think that tn
House is closely divided on
good many matters which in
volve legislative proposals.
Perhaps the country may b
divided. too, but at least we vii
have a chance to have a vote
and I consider that the mos
important thing.
II the House then does no
want to support our proposal;
then at least I feel that tn
country has indicated its view
point, and not the judgment O
only a small number Of repre-
sentatives. But I would say tina
we are going to have a close de
bate in both the House and tn
Senate on a good many matter!
which has always been true.
If the matters do any good
and they provide for any actor
there are bound to be contro
versies about them. The onl
way you get general agreemen
is when you confine yourself T.
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