Editing 78-02-A4 (section)

=== Transcript ===
Last spring Major General John Singlaub, a most capable soldier with a
distinguished military record was abruptly and publicly removed from his job
in South Korea by the Commander-in-Chief himself. The General had expressed
his views in what he thought was a private conversation, that the President's
plan to withdraw our 2nd infantry division from Korea could tempt the Communists
in the North to have another go at conquering the Republic of Korea.

Arriving in this country, the General was summoned to appear before the
House Armed Services Committee. He told the Congressmen that our intelligence
reports reveal that the North Koreans have done what the Soviet Union has done--
engaged in a massive buildup of military power. And being the honest man he
is, he said that removing troops from Korea would seriously weaken South
Korea's ability to defend itself.

Now, many months later, our State department (which from the first has
supported the President's decision to withdraw the 2nd division) comes forth
with a 12-page report to Congress on Korea. And, guess what? The report
stresses the fact that North Korea has rejected all efforts to peacefully
settle the political issues which divide the two Koreas.

The report points out the "sizable military advantage" the North has over
the South and the fact that North Korea's military force is obviously offensive
and not defensive in nature. In tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket
launchers, artillery, and so forth, the South is outnumbered more than two-to-one.
North Korea's advantage includes jet fighter planes, naval vessels and Russian
missiles for use against ships. South Korea has no submarines, but Korea
builds its own.

Most significantly, the report--after stressing the proximity of Seoul to
the North Korean border--makes it plain that South Korea could survive an attack
with our help. They will have to have air, naval and logistic support. The
report goes farther and says steps must be taken to "replace the combat
capability of the U.S. ground forces we are going to withdraw." We must build
up South Korea's stores of ammunition and equipment, send more and better tanks
and anti-tank weapons; there must be an increase in South Korea's capability
to utilize sophisticated weaponry and still -- with all that -- they would need
our active participation if war should come.

The report doesn't come right out and say it, but it strongly implies we'd
be better off if the U.S. 2nd infantry division stayed right where it is.
In other words, General Singlaub knew what he was saying! The presence of our
troops in South Korea could very well mean the difference between peace and war. 

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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