Asian Approval Of Nixon’s Election

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31831, 8 November 1968, Page 11

Asian Approval Of Nixon’s Election

<N.Z. Press Association—Copvnoht)

TOKYO, November 7.

Mr Nixon’s election as the next President of the United States drew general approval in troubled Asia—but there was also concern and criticism, the Associated Press reported. In Hong Kong, local editions of the two Communist Chinese newspapers, Peking’s “Ta Kung Pao” and Shanghai’s “Wen Wei Pao,” described Mr Nixon as “a hawk” and predicted he would not be able to solve the Vietnam conflict because he was “another rotten champion of American imperialism.”

The "Ta Kung Pao” added that Mr Nixon’s election would confuse, complicate, and delay attempts to achieve progress in the Vietnam peace negotiations. However, there was no official reaction from Peking or Asia's two other Communist nations, North Vietnam and North Korea.

Asian leaders, many of whom know Mr Nixon personally from his frequent visits to the region, welcomed his election and expressed confidence that he would continue to maintain close United States ties with the area. In Saigon, South Vietnamese Government officials today generally welcomed Mr Nixon’s election, and several expressed the belief that he would pursue a stronger line in the war.

Mr Humphrey had been linked In their minds with President Johnson, who has come under fire in the Saigon press for agreeing to the seat ing of the National Liberation Front, the Viet Cong’s political wing, at the postponed Paris peace talks. South Vietnam has said H will stay away from the talks, claiming that the NL.F. should have been included in the Hanoi delegation. Cabinet Ministers were reluctant to make any immediate comment on Mr Nixon’s election, and Saigon’s man-in-the-street appeared to have little interest in the election.

In London, officials looked forward to continuing close and friendly relations with the United States after Mr Nixon enters the White House. Although there was no formal comment, officials saw no reason for any weakening in the friendly relationships Britain has enjoyed with previous Administrations.

On many of the main for-eign-policy issues, Mr Nixon's publicly-expressed views largely coincide with those of Britain’s, officials pointed out. In particular, Mr Nixon is a supporter of N.A.T.0., West European integration, and stability in the international

monetary system—all of which are causes close to the British heart. “The Times” said that although Mr Nixon had many qualities it was less sure that he had the calm of a Kennedy or an Eisenhower at a time . of crisis.