From the S&S archives: Agnew visits Saigon, gets optimistic report on war

SAIGON — Vice President Spiro T. Agnew received an optimistic war report from U.S. and South Vietnamese officials Thursday.

Agnew reviewed the entire range of military, political and economic problems throughout Southeast Asia in private meetings with President Nguyen Van Thieu, Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky and U.S. Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker.

Even before the briefings, Agnew told newsmen that the success of the Cambodian venture means U.S. troop withdrawals can proceed on schedule. The program calls for U.S. forces in Vietnam to be reduced to 284,000 men by next April.

While Agnew denied again that he planned to visit Cambodia, informed sources in Phnom Penh said he would arrive Friday and would have lunch with Premier Lon Nol and other Cambodian leaders before heading for Thailand, last stop on his week-long Asian trip.

His official schedule calls for him to fly directly from Saigon to Bangkok.

Agnew told reporters before he landed at Bien Hoa Air Base, some 15 miles northeast of Saigon, that there had been no worsening of the Cambodian government's military position since U.S. troops were withdrawn June 30.

"As far as I know, the situation is not deteriorating," he said. "It seems to me that there is a basic diminution of the effort of the Communist forces in the lower quadrant of the country."

U.S. helicopter gunships swept through Bien Hoa before Agnew arrived to check for possible enemy snipers and others circled overhead as he flew by helicopter to the presidential palace in downtown Saigon.

Rut, in contrast to his New Year's Day visit here, the vice president's schedule was announced in advance, including his plan to spend the night at Bunker's official residence.

Agnew was greeted at the presidential palace by Ky and a South Vietnamese military band.

Inside, Agnew and President Thieu chatted amiably for five minutes for photographers before joining ranking U.S. and Vietnamese officials for lunch.

Later, Agnew, Bunker and about 20 officials held what was described as a "working dinner" at the ambassador's residence.

Agnew's main talks with Thai leaders are scheduled Saturday, and he leaves Bangkok for the United States Sunday morning. The vice president plans to report to President Nixon, probably at the Western White House in San Clemente, Calif., next week.