US says reduction of men in El Salvador no pullout

The planned return of military advisers sent to El Salvador does not mean the United States is completely withdrawing from the Central American country, Pentagon and State Department officials said Sunday. The proposed July pullout of 18 advisers training government troops in El Salvador was a routine matter and should not be mistaken for a lessening of US aid to the Salvadoran ruling junta in its battle against leftists rebels, they said.

Fifty-four American military men are in El Salvador training government forces in the use and maintenance of US helicopters and other recently supplied equipment. The Pentagon said 18 advisers would be out by J uly, unless there is a significant change in the situation.