CRITICISM OF SEATO

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28155, 19 December 1956, Page 9

CRITICISM OF SEATO

‘Causing Tension In Asia’ (N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) CANBERRA, Dec. 18. SEATO was creating tension in some South-east Asian countries, the Burmese Minister for Mines (Mr U Raschid) said today at a press interview. These countries, he said, reacted to SEATO in the same way as Western countries had worried at reports of Russia putting arms into Syria. Mr Raschid, who is touring Australia after attending the Colombo Plan conference in New Zealand, said there was no possibility of Burma joining SEATO. , “We don’t like these armed blocs,” he said. Burma thought existing international machinery was able to curb aggression in Asia, he said. Communism had been halted and had even receded in Asia in .the last two years, and SEATO had not had much to do with that, he said. In Burma, he continued, “We have stopped communism by providing a clean administration, by raising the living standards and by keeping in close contact with the people.” Mr Raschid said those in the Burmese Government did not mince words about being Socialists and, as one reform, had nationalised the land, limited the amount that could be held by one man and had abolished landlordism. Questioned on Suez, he said Burma disapproved of the Anglo-French action, but considered the right • of international canal usage should be protected without loss of respect to Egyptian sovereignty. Answering a question whether Australian prestige in Asia had been damaged by Australia’s support of Britain on Suez, Mr Raschid said: "Not very much, I would think'.”