Something of Value

Firm Asian supporters of U.S. Asian policy don't grow in every bamboo grove. So it was not surprising that Lyndon Johnson, just a month after postponing the state visits to the U.S. of Critics Ayub Khan of Pakistan and Lai Bahadur Shastri of India, spared no pains last week in welcoming South Korea's President Chung Hee Park, 48. After all, Park has demonstrated his loyalty by sending 2,000 army engineers and a medical team to help out in South Viet Nam.

Ruffles and flourishes started the visit on the White House South Lawn. "Enemies of peace and foes of freedom still move in the world," Johnson told his short, slim visitor by way of greeting. "But their chance to prevail is a much lesser chance now because of the response that was made in Korea by those United Nations which showed a decent respect for the values--as well as the opinions--of all mankind. We welcome this strength that your land offers now to the defense of freedom, not only in Korea but in Viet Nam as well."

Park responded in kind. Said he: "Along the truce line in Korea, in the jungles of Viet Nam, your beloved sons and husbands now share the same encampment and trenches with our men to defend freedom from Communist aggression."

The two Presidents strolled around the White House grounds in company with Him, the Beagle, Blanco, the collie, and Korean and American reporters. Johnson even let Park hold the leashes. There was a glittering state dinner with appropriate toasts and music for both listening and dancing. Johnson danced briefly with the daintily pretty Mrs. Park.

Frankly and publicly stating his country's need for continued aid, Park said in a toast that, despite his country's economic difficulties, "we can still assure you with pride that your support and assistance will be better rewarded in Korea than anywhere else."

After private meetings, there emerged an unusually long and detailed joint communique that gave Park some help with his political and economic problems at home. It promised South Korea new development loans of $150 million, even if it gets separate aid from Japan. It disclosed agreement in principle on a pact that will give Korean courts some jurisdiction over American servicemen and American civilians employed by the military. And it reminded the world that the two Presidents had in common the burning desire to defeat Communist aggression and see Asia prosper.

Also last week:

> The President received confirmation, from a routine report to the Federal Communications Commission, that the broadcasting properties owned principally by his wife and two daughters had improved in net asset value by $1,000,000 since 1962 to a total of $3,700,000. Like the rest of the extensive Johnson family interests, the radio and television stations are being administered by trustees while the President is in office.

>The President flew to New York for a private fund-raising dinner of the President's Club, an organization of Democratic contributors who each give at least $1,000 a year to the party. The political foray took Johnson to what has become an off-year hot spot. Feuding New York Democrats suddenly face a real contest because Republican Congressman John V. Lindsay is running against Mayor Robert Wagner.

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