‘Difficulties Over Singapore Base’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 9

‘Difficulties Over Singapore Base’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) EDINBURGH, November 14. The “Scotsman,” commenting on the idea of a British abandonment of Singapore as a base, submitted yesterday that this could lead to Australia developing closer links with the United States.

•‘R is irnpossibite for Britain to postpone a decision about the future of Singapore very much longer,” the “Scotsman” said.

“Mir Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership in Singapore hangs by the slenderest of threads and his wiilltagness to merge, Singaipore in the "Malaysia’ proposed by Tunku Abdul Rahman is only too understandable,” the newspaper said.

“The Malayan Prime Minister will this week .visit London to discuss the project with Mr Macmillan. “His terms, however, are not only that Britain should agree to the early association of Sarawak. Brunei and Briitish North Borneo in the scheme, so ensmrtng a reason-

able balance of national and etectorai groups, but that she should cease to use the Singapore land, sea and air bases for S.E.A.T.O. purposes,” the newspaper said. “Here the Sharpest conflict has arisen between Britain’s diplomatic and military interests. The over-all need is of course to safeguard the area against communism,” the “Scotsman” said.

“On the political front, the creation of Malaysia would secure that objective admirably as far as can be seen. “Bases at Singapore could still ensure the military security of Malaysia itself—and as that would be done by agreement with Malaysia’s people, no political obstacles could arise.

“However, Britain has bound herself by the obligations, of S.E.A.T.O. which might Compel her to intervene in South-east Asia. It is now being suggested that she could manage this from Northern Australia, but a glance at the map shows the futility of the whole idee,” the newspaper said.

“To give up Singapore means to gi ve up the thought of any British role in the military defence of places like South Vietnam —except through American bases.

“What the visit of Tunku Abdul Rahman raises, then, is the whole question of Britain’s Far Eastern commitment.

“Since the defence of South-east Asia remains an unsolved problem for Mr Kennedy also, this is the time to reach an all-round agreement on the means.

“If the area became chiefly America’s- pigeon. Australia would certainly feel the need to develop closer links with America,” the “Scotsman” said.