U.K. Seeks Smaller Malaysian Forces

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31094, 24 June 1966, Page 11

U.K. Seeks Smaller Malaysian Forces

<y Z PA. Reuter —Copyright,!

BANGKOK, June 23.

Ihe British Foreign Secretary, Mr Michael Stewart, said in Bangkok today that Britain agreed with Malaysia that British troops there should be reduced. But he emphasised that Britain still had concern and interest in South-east Asia.

Mr Stewart arrived by air from London for two-day talks with Thai (Government leaders at the invitation of the Foreign Minister, Mr Thanat Khoman.

Speaking to reporters on arrival at the Don Muang Airport he said:

"We made it clear all the time why we kept the troops in Malaysia—because of confrontation and at the request of Malaysia for its defence. “We now, of course, share with Malaysia the belief that there should be a reduction of our forces there,” he said.

He explained that there i seemed to be good reasons to J hope that Indonesia’s con-! frontation against Malaysia! was coming to an end. “I hope that what follows'

is good relations and understanding between Malaysia and Indonesia.” he said.

Mr Stewart emphasised that Britain still maintained interest and concern in Southeast Asia.

Defence Review “At the S.E.A.T.O. council meeting in Canberra there will be a defence review of British forces in South-east Asia." he said. Britain had made a defence review of the role British forces could play and “we have made it clear why we kept the British forces East of Suez.”

Indonesian Visit Mr Stewart said he would! visit Indonesia to meet the ; Foreign Minister, Mr Adam’ Malik, and review relations!

between Indonesia and Brijtain. He would also visit Malaysia. “We are now in sight of i better relations between In- ' donesia, Malaysia, Singapore, iand ourselves,” he said. On Vietnam, Mr Stewart j said that Britain supported i American policy there. Vietnam War ' “We are still left with the I fact that North Vietnam is i not prepared to come to reaI sonable terms of peace in I Vietnam,” he said. I But he believed that in the jlong run the Communists i would have to accept the ' necessity of negotiating an honourable peace with the I United States and South Vietnam. i Mr Stewart said that the I growing Communist armed I threat in North-eastern Thai-

land would be one matter which would be considered at the S.E.A.T.O. meeting. Seoul Conference He commented that he wished France and Pakistan would play a fuller part in S.E.A.T.O. than they were doing now. He said he welcomed the establishment of the Asia and Pacific Council following the recent Seoul conference, because any move that promoted closer relations in this part of the world was to be hailed.