Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-11-01
No Troop Cuts in Germany
Planned, President Says

O~I
President Kennedy has given
his word that the United
States plans no Withdrawals Of
combat troops from Germany
as long as they are required
there.
These assurances apply not
only to the six regular divisions
stationed there but to six
smaller combat units sent to
West Germany at the time Of
the 1861 Berlin crisis, Mr.. Ken
nedy told his news conference
yesterday.
There has been a furry Of
reports out Of Europe recently
that this country would reduce
its military power in Germany.
Some reduction in non-cam-
bat personnel is planned as
part Of the reorganization of
the United States Army's Eu-
ropean logistic forces, the Pres
ident said, adding that the
NATO allies are being consult
ed about these reductions.
Effectiveness Increasing
Actually. the United States
combat effectiveness in Europe
is increasing, the President
said, "as our material in
creases."
Air transfer of a full division
to West Germany in Operation
Big Lift last week, the Presi-
dent pointed out. has tempo
rarily raised United States
troop strength in West Ger
many to seven divisions plus.
West Germany is offsetting
the dollar drain caused by
United States support for its
troops there, Mr.. Kennedy
pointed out. by purchases in
the United States of military
equipment for West German
forces.
This reduces the incentive
for troop Withdrawals to inn
prove the United States bal
ance Of payments situation.
These reassuring words from
the President obviously were
intended to be the last in the
latest wave Of West German
apprehension about United
States troop Withdrawals.
This was precipitated by
Deputy Defense Secretary Gill
patric's recent Chicago speech
indicating that the United
States increasing airlift capac-
ity would permit the United
States to pull back some forces
and quickly send them to a
trouble spot If necessary.
In South Wet Nam, on the
other hand. the President in
dicated that small, spaced |
Withdrawals Of American forces
can be anticipated. About 1000 !
can be expected to be taken
out by the end of the year in
200-man increments, he said.
Departures From Cuba
Soviet troops also have been
withdrawing steadily from
Cuba, Mr.. Kennedy reported.
Since January. he said, the de-
crease has been marked" He
could give only the general
trend. not precise numbers of
troops withdrawn, he told a
queStioner.
The administration with
drew from the so-called num-
bers game" Of estimating So
Wet troop strength in Cuba |
after conflicting intelligence
reports caused confusion in adj
miniStration estimates. At one
point, $1,000 Soviet troops
were reported to be in Cuba
and these were once believed
to have been reduced to some
$4,000 to $4,000.
The administration now re-
portedly believes there are
fewer than 10000 Soviet troops
in Cuba, the remainder from
the Soviet missile crisis of Oc-
tober, 1862.
The President stood staunch-
ly for Secretary McNamara's
decision to equip a new air
craft carrier with a conven-
tional instead of nuclear power
plant. Navy Secretary Korth
protested strongly against the
decision before quitting his
cabinet post.
Other Disclosures
On other foreign policy prob
lens the President:
/. Disclosed the United States
will seek to resume diplomatic
relations with the Dominican
Republic if assurances Of q
restoration of constitutional
government are provided.
2. Expressed hope the cease
fire in Yemen can be main
tanned despite the United Ma
tons withdrawal of its mill
tary observers there. The Unit |
ed States has indicated to
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Republic and Yemen "our great |
interest in seeing that fighting
does not break out along the
border"
8. Expressed doubt I'VE can
get any place" in expanding the
partial nuclear test ban to pro-
hibit underground experiments. |
I'VE are still insisting on in
Spection," he declared.
Kennedy Denies