RIFT IN U.S. Lee predicts Asian results

Press, Issue 33842, 14 May 1975, Page 17

RIFT IN U.S. Lee predicts Asian results

f.V.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright?

NEAV YORK, May 13. Singapore's Prime Minister. Mr Lee Kuan Yew, believes that Communist-led forces mav make further major inroads in Asia if the rift between the American Presidency and Congress is not healed.

But he ruled out any like-| lihood in a speech last night that Thailand. Malaysia, I Singapore, Indonesia, or the; Philippines—members of the; Association of South-East[ Asian Nations (A.S.E.A.N.) —i would succumb to insurg-[ ents. “My hope is that a modus; vivendi between the Presi-' dency and Congress can be reached before the next elec-; tions to resolve their differ-; ences,” he said in reference' to the policy rift between President Ford and Congress before Communist-led vic-, tories in Vietnam and Cambodia. “Otherwise, there may be further major losses in Asia and elsewhere,” Mr Lee told the Asia Society, a private; organisation devoted to Asian; affairs. He said that such losses could be averted by the; United States “making her; position clear beyond any; pretence of misunderstand-I ing that any adventurism; anywhere will be countered swiftly.”

He hoped that after next year's United States elec-

I tions, the Presidency and (Congress would recognise , I that “the isosceles triangular 'balance of power in the ; Western Pacific must be kept.” ■I This power triangle was (not equal on all sides "beI cause Chinese military strength cannot yet match that of either the Soviets or (the Americans. “If America’s naval presence and her economic contributions were to be diminI ished, more conflicts will take place because China's answer . to Soviet naval and economic ! power would be to intensify local insurgency,” he added. He said that the future of the five A.S.E.A.N. countries ; would be influenced most by the economic health of the i industrial world and their Sown capacity to attract capital and investment and gain access to markets. ; Communist insurrections had not succeeded in Pakistan, India, Bangaldesh, Sri I Lanka or Burma, he said. “There is no reason why ; insurrections could damage

the A.S.E.A.N. countries,” he i added.