S.E.A.T. O. optimistic

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32956, 30 June 1972, Page 3

S.E.A.T. O. optimistic

(N.Z.P A ••Reuter— Copyright) CANBERRA, June 29. The S.E.A.T.O. Council has concluded that the chances of building a. lasting peace in SouthEast Asia are better now than they have been for a long time. The council’s final communique from the Canberra meeting last night said it welcomed this situation. But it felt that it was now important to reaffirm the collective security arrangements for the region which had con-

tributed to the “improved climate.” The communique said, however, that the council recognised the growing danger to the region from “-covert, form of Communist intervention and interference.” . This; included externallypromoted insurgency, subversion, infiltration, and, terrorism. The council had observed with concern that there had been an “intensification” of this activity in the region, and had noted its disruptive effect on stability and the threat to social and economic development. The communique said the

council had recognised the importance in the present circumstances of developing further SE-A.T,O.’s ability to provkfeadvice and assistance to threatened countries. It-said solutions depended on increased understanding of problems.- and “vigorous action” to resolve them by individual members as well as by the organisation. ' The''council decided that SJEA-T.O. programmes in information and research and its social and cultural activities should be increasingly complementary to and closely co-ordinated with its countersubversion and counterinsurgency activity.