Domino theory

Press, Issue 33842, 14 May 1975, Page 17

Domino theory

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, May 13. The Laos coalition Government might have survived longer if it had not been rocked by the shock waves emanating from Vietnam and Cambodia. “The Times” said today.

The newspaper said in an editorial that the taking over of effective control by the pro-Communist Pathet Lao vindicated to a limited extent the American domino theory about Indo-China. It added, however, that this was only because the Americans broueht about the very situation they were trying to prevent.

“Had they not believed in their own prophecies they would not have tried to build up the client States which did so much to mobilise national Communist movements against them,” “The Times” said.

The newspaper went on to say that the real essence of the domino theory was still very far from vindicated. “The area that used to be known as Indo-China, but which is in fact a group of very different countries, is not being taken over by the Chinese, the North Vietnamese, the Russians, or ‘international communism.’

“Nor will the struggles of that area be extended automatically or in the same form to Burma, Malaysia, the Philippines or South Korea,” the editorial said. “The Times” also said that even within former IndoChina each new Government

[would find its own way of 'blending elements of Communist ideology with older traditions and national aspirations. .