U.K. Presence Held Inconsequential

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 13

U.K. Presence Held Inconsequential

(New Zealand Press Association)

LONDON, July 13 A majority of Washington Administration officials agree that by the end of this decade the British presence east of Suez will be “a more or less meaningless factor.” according to the Washington correspondent of “The Times.”

“There was general agreement that it has provided moral support for the United States,” he said, “and that it might have some value for another three or fou. years.” One reason the correspond-: ent gave was that there was no place for Britain ini A.S.P.A.C. (Australia, For-' mosa, Japan, Malaysia, Newi

Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, South Vietnam and Thailand), as there was no place i~ A.N.Z.U.S. The American nuclear umbrella now sheltered all but one of the A.S.P.A.C. members (Malaysia was the only country Mr Rusk did not mention in Tokyo recently). The correspondent said .’there was some agreement that the residual responsiibilities of a departing imi perial power might keep i Britain east of Suez for a few years. There was an assumption that Commonwealth ■ bonds would not be quickly severed, although it was said that Australia and New Zealand had long looked to the United States for their security.