Editing 76-14-A1 (section)

= Korea =

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=== Transcript ===
A two-star general who came into the Army in World War II, and who
served with distinction in that conflict as well as in the two wars since,
deserves better from his commander-in-chief than public humiliation and the
destruction of his career.

Major General John K. Singlaub, 55 years of age, chief of staff of
American forces in Korea, is highly respected by his colleagues in the military
and is deserving of that respect. No longer chief of staff in Korea, he awaits
re-assignment. The consensus among his fellow officers is that he will probably
be re-assigned to a job that will make it plain he is being punished.

In announcing his recall and re-assignment, Secretary of Defense
Harold Brown said, -- QUOTE -- "Public statements by General Singlaub, inconsistent
with announced national security policy, have made it very difficult for him
to carry out the duties of his present assignment in Korea." -- UNQUOTE. The
Secretary then went on to say he had directed the Secretary of the Army to take
action to that effect.

But, calling the General home was not Secretary Brown's doing. The
order came from the President. It was public, it was angry and apparently born
of vindictive temper. The General's associates, from buck private to fellow
officers, knew he was being called to the "House" for a spanking. In my opinion,
there is no excuse for this humiliation of a man who has served his country in
peace and war with valor, indeed, with heroism.

And what was the General's crime? According to Secretary Brown, -- QUOTE
"Public statements inconsistent with announced national security policy." -- UNQUOTE.
The General has asked no quarter. He simply said that his remarks expressing his
opinion were made in what he thought was background information for a Washington
POST correspondent and not for attribution. The POST disputes this, and I'm not
challenging that assertion but anyone who has been in public life knows how easy
it is for a misunderstanding to take place. All of us have spoken frankly at
times in what we thought was an "off-the-record" session, and found ourselves
quoted by a journalist who had not considered the interview "off-the-record".

General Singlaub expressed the opinion that withdrawal of American forces
in Korea could lead to war. President Carter has announced his intention of
removing those troops. I think the General is right. The South Korean government
thinks he's right. The government of Japan thinks he's right. And, most of our
top military brass think he's right. The war we've already had in Korea was
caused at least in part by the careless words of an American Secretary of State
who intimated that we didn't consider South Korea in our perimeter of defense.
The North Koreans apparently took that as an invitation and the war was on.

Admittedly, the disciplining of the General is because his statement was
critical of the President's declared policy. But, the President has smilingly
apologized for a succession of verbal boo-boos by his Ambassador to the United
Nations; outrageous statements that angered and insulted several of our allies.
Each time, like a patient parent, the President has explained that Ambassador
Young was not correctly stating national policy. Then, murmuring a few words
about misunderstanding or incomplete communication, the President has reiterated
his confidence in his Ambassador.

There is anger and bitterness among our military officials who believe
General Singlaub expressed what they all feel. Certainly, he deserves better
from the country he has served so well.

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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=== Details ===
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<TR><TD WIDTH="150">Batch Number</TD><TD WIDTH="150">{{PAGENAME}}</TD></TR>
<TD>Production Date</TD><TD>05/25/[[Radio1977|1977]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Book/Page</TD><TD>[[Radio_Commentary_Books#Reagan:_In_His_Own_Hand|RihoH-66]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Audio</TD><TD></TD></TR>
<TD>Youtube?</TD><TD>No</TD></TR>
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===Added Notes===

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