Sceptical Of Communist Split

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30540, 8 September 1964, Page 3

Sceptical Of Communist Split

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 7. There would be no conflict in Vietnam or in Laos if the Communists would honour the agreements they had entered into, said the report of the secretary-general of 5.E.A.T.0., Mr Konthi Suphamongkhon, issued tonight. Mr Suphamongkhon, will visit New Zealand front September 27 to October 7. He said that instead of honouring agreements, the Communists sought to broaden the area of disturbance in South-east Asia. “The continuing verbal split between Communist China and the Soviet Union affords little comfort for the free world,” said the report. “The two major Communist powers are agreed on their goal of world domination—-

they differ primarily as to tactics and leadership. “As the Communist Chinese and Russians broadcast their vituperation, it becomes more and more apparent that the force of nationalism is strongly challenging the ‘internationalism’ of communism,” he said. “The Soviet Union has indicated that it is aware of the potentiality of nuclear destruction and that it is unwilling to risk escalation of conflict to that degree. “On the other hand, whether thiough being uninformed by reason of isolating themselves from world thought and scientific developments, or owing to their not having a. large industrial base to protect, or because they care little for human life, even of their own countrymen, the Chinese Communists have indicated little reluctance to incite wars that might lead to annihilation,” said the report. “In the competition for followers among the other Communist parties, it is possible the Soviet Union may be impelled toward a more belligerent policy than it has taken in the recent past.

i Or, conversely, the Chinese Communists may adopt a less ■ militant policy openly, seek- ; ing, as they have in the past, ; to gain by diplomacy what : they cannot win by war. ; "In any case, the threat to i the free world may be inten- ■ sifted rather than diminished by a Communist split,” the report said. “For the long-term solution • of the conflict in South-east Asia, two principal proposals have been made. “One proposal is that the free world continue to resist the aggressive probings of the Communists. The other is that an international conference be held for the purpose of seeking a peaceful solution by negotiation with the Communists. “History is full of examples where aggressor powers have been stopped by firm resist- ' ance—and other examples where their appetites have grown larger as concessions are made. “In the South-east Asian contest, the Geneva agreements of 1954 and 1962 dealt with the problems of what was called Indo-China. Communist powers continue to violate these agreements.

“The signing of international agreements is not too difficult; it is infinitely more difficult to implement them. “It is frequently and curiously, overlooked that the success of international agreements depends upon the will and the ability of free nations to resist aggression. “Without a deterrent, aggressive nations flout the agreements," said the report. In accepting Communist Chinese leadership, the Pathet Lao and the North Vietnamese were, as they must realise, in great danger of being overwhelmed by great ‘neighbourliness’,” the report said. “The situations in Laos and South Vietnam are particularly crucial. The two countries are linked in Communist strategy, although tactics vary. “The Communists of North Vietnam and mainland China give military assistance to their agents, the Pathet Lao, and utilise the subjugated territory in Laos as a communication route to supply, support or direct the Comimunist Viet Cong in South Vietnam.” j