N.Z. Presence In Singapore

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32359, 27 July 1970, Page 15

N.Z. Presence In Singapore

CN.Z. Press Association) SINGAPORE, July 26. New Zealand may strengthen its military presence in the Malaysia-Singapore region, said Sir Leslie Munro, leader of a six-member New Zealand Parliamentary mission, in Singapore, according to the Associated Press.

After talks with the Singapore Foreign Minister (Mr Rajaratnam) the visiting New Zealand leader said: “We favour strengthening our military presence in the area. So do our Government and people.” This was in line with New Zealand’s forward defence concept and her responsibility for the defence of the region, he said. However, Sir Leslie Munro emphasised that additions to New Zealand’s present military units in Singapore—an under-sized infantry battalion, two fighters, and an air transport squadron—would have to be negotiated among the leaders of New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Britain.

Sir Leslie Munro, an inter-nationally-known jurist and a former president of the United Nations General Assembly, was against the five-nation defence force being patterned after a United Nations peace-keeping force. He said he has full confidence in the regional defence arrangement as it stands now.

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