Minister visits AATTV members in Vietnam DPR/TV/267

[Roll 1] The Minister for Army Dr A J Forbes arrived Saigon today for a three day visit to soldiers of the Australian Army Force in Vietnam. During his stay he will have discussions with Vietnamese Government leaders and Military officials. Apart from visiting 1 RAR and Australian logistic support company at Bien Hoa the Minister will travel to outlying stations to talk with members of Australian Army Training Team who are serving with Vietnamese units in the field. The Minister was met by Brigadier General Bui Hoo Nhun representative of the Vietnamese High Command the Prime Minister's Protocol Officer Mr Khiet and a representative from the Vietnamese Foreign Affairs Department. Also present were Mr J Fernandez Australia Charge d'Affairs, commander AAFV Colonel O D Jackson and services attache Colonel J Maxwell. Troops of the presidential guard provided a guard of honour. [Roll 2] The Minister spent the day yesterday (9 July) flying to country areas of Vietnam to visit members of the AATTV. His tour included the Dong Da Training Centre near Phubai. He was met by Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Cau and Australian Major Vin Musgrave. At Danang he was met by Lieutenant Colonel Preece Senior Australian member of the AATTV in the area, and had discussion with Major General Thi Commander 1st Corps of the Vietnamese Army. The Minister saw at first hand the type of work the Australians have been doing in the field with units of the Vietnamese Army. Today the Minister will visit troops of 1 RAR and the Logistic Support Company at Bien Hoa who have just completed a four day search and destroy operation.