"Russians Seek Trade Base In Malaysia”

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30953, 8 January 1966, Page 14

"Russians Seek Trade Base In Malaysia”

CV.Z. Press Association —Copyright ) KU ALA LUMPUR, January 7. The Soviet Union may be seeking a base in Malaysia and Singapore for its campaign to increase its influence in Asia at the expense of China, writes Jeff Williams, of the Associated Press.

More than a year ago, a correspondent for the official Soviet news agency, Tass, visited the country.

He was the first member of the Soviet Communist Party allowed to travel in the South-east Asian peninsula and is due back to open an office in Singapore this month. A Soviet trade expert has applied for permission to visit Approval of his -trip is expected. “Why not?” some officials say privately. “Russia is one of our biggest rubber buyers. Why not sell to them dir-| ectly?”

While China has been frightening Western-oriented Asian nations with its militant propaganda, the Russians have been quietly building trade.

They already have embassies in two key Asian countries where the Chinese are excluded —Japan and Thailand. These provide a solid foundation for Soviet programmes in the area and, among other things, have led to a Soviet-Japanese air pact and Russian observers at the Asian Development Bank.

Increased Russian presence in Malaysia would put Moscow in an excellent position to build up its Asian image and would give it a tremendous economic lever against the Chinese.

Malaysia has taken on a new stature since Indonesia’s war against it virtually collapsed after the abortive Peking-backed coup in October. Before the coup attempt, the Indonesian President, Dr.

Sukarno, vowed to crush Malaysia, which he called a creation of British neo-colonial-ism.

The drive was led by the large Peking-oriented Indonesian Communist Party, which suffered a heavy blow when the Army crushed the coup. Close Allies Since the pressure from | Indonesia has eased, the 'Malaysian Government, workring to resume diplomatic ties (with the Philippines. has I tightened ties with Burma and is a close ally of India and Thailand. Its call for the revival of the Association of South-east Asia (A.S.A.) was welcomed. This would link Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines economically and culturally and generally tighten up those South-east Asian nations against China. The Soviet moves into Malaysia and Singapore seem to be part of a broad campaign to expand Moscow’s influence in Asia. Other steps include the Soviet - sponsored summit meeting between the leadirs of India and Pakistan, now under way in the Russian city of Tashkent, and stronger contacts with North Vietnam. The Soviet Union’s objective seems to be much the same as that of the United States —to contain China.

Soviet Embassy officials' in Bangkok and Tokyo say privately that the last thing they want to see is an expansion of Peking's influence in Asia.