SOUTH-EAST ASIA New Collective Force Proposed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31071, 28 May 1966, Page 17

SOUTH-EAST ASIA New Collective Force Proposed

(XZP.A. Reuter—Copyright >

SINGAPORE, May 27. The current moves to end Indonesia’s confrontation of Malaysia have prompted suggestions for a new collective force in South-east Asia an association of States which could have a powerful world influence. But ideas of this possibility differ about its size and its aims.

A Ministerial conference of nine nations in Seoul on June 14 will discuss the formation of a union of Asian States.

Australia. New Zealand. Japan, Thailand. South Vietnam, Malaysia, Formosa, the Philippines and South Korea are expected to attend. Alternative concepts being discussed in South-east Asian ■apitals are: A security organisation, proposed by Indonesia, rejected by Japan: a neutral belt, suggested by Singapore; an economic and “ultural organisation, envisaged by the supporters of the Association of South-east Asian States.

Not Developed

A.S.A., comprising Malaysia. Philippines and Thailand, was one of two alliances conceived three years ago but never developed. The other was Maphilindo. comprising Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. For defence, the existing i alliance is S.E.A.T.O. Correspondents report these views:

Manila: The Philippines Foreign Secretary, Mr Narcisco Ramos, believes that a union of Asian States could supplement the ideas behind

A.S.A. and Maphilindo. Diplomatic circles believe it ■ could work with these associations or encompass them. Founder members of the union could be Malaysia, Inidonesia, Thailand and the Philippines—expanded later Ito include Burma, Formosa, South Korea and Cambodia. Djakarta: Mr Adam Malik, i the Indonesian Foreign Minister, wants a union of Southeast Asia based on links that would bind Burma, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaya and Indonesia. The “Indonesian Herald,” the voice of the 'Foreign Ministry, has proposed a common collective security bloc composed of countries from Pakistan to Japan to match the existing AngloAmerican, Chinese and Russian Powers in Asia.

Asia-Pacific region, herj Foreign Minister. Mr Etsusa-, bura Shiina, has said. But' Japan welcomes economic and cultural co-operation. Bangkok: Mr Thanat Kho-1 ,man, Thailand’s Foreign) Minister, believes there are! 'definite possibilities for de-1 jveloping A.S.A.. and further! talks will be held in July and August. Kuala Lumpur: Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's Prime Minister, has rejected Maphilindo and suggested that South-east Asian countries think of forming a new association which would withstand i the test of time. He did not elaborate. His Foreign Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, has said that A.S.A., as a concept of regional co-operation, ’s the thing closest to the I hearts of Malaysia and Thailand and they are determined to make it succeed.

Tokyo: Japan has no intention of taking part in any security organisation for the

Singapore: Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the Prime Minister, sees his island in the role of keeping down temperatures amid the turbulence in South-east Asia. He has proposed a neutral belt which would prevent any manipulation by the big nations which could lead to an explosion.