U.S. views the Pacific

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34021, 9 December 1975, Page 21

U.S. views the Pacific

(y.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyrights i HONOLULU. Dec. 8. 1 President Ford has proclaimed a “new Pacific doctrine” based on American military strength, close partnership with Japan, improved relations with China, and economic cooperation with all of Asia. Speaking in Honolulu after visiting China and other Asian countries last week, the President said that the United States had a vital stake in the area — as did the Soviet Union and Western Europe — and an equilibrium of power was essential for peace. President Ford listed the following six principle’s for his Pacific doctrine in a

speech at the University of Hawaii:

American strength was basic' to any stable balance of power in the Pacific. 'Partnership with Japan was; i a pillar of United States; strategy in Asia. United States relations with; China must be norma-; lised, although the President gave no specific timetable. The United States would have a continuing stake in the stability and security of South-East Asia. Peace in Asia depended on a resolution of outstanding political conflict. There must be a structure of economic co-operation reflecting the aspirations of all the peoples in the region.

Reporting on his visit to Peking, the President said that there were expected differences of perspective j between him and China’s! leaders. “But we did find common ground,” he said. This in-. eluded mutual respect for) the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, freedom from the threat of foreign aggression, noninterference in the internal affairs of others, and coexistence. In calling for a resolution of political conflict in Asia, the President specifically mentioned continuing tensions between North and South Korea and the takeover of Indo-China by Communist-led forces. He said that the United States was ready to consider (constructive ways of casing . tension on the Korean pen- ! insula but would keep on re-

sisting any moves by the North to exclude the South from discussion of its own future. In Indo-China. the healing effects of time were required. and his policies towards the new regimes there would be determined by their conduct towards the United States, he said. “We are prepared to reciprocate gestures of good will, particularly the return of the remains of Americans killed or missing in action, or information about them, he said. “If they exhibit restraint towards ’ their neighbours and constructive approaches to international problems, Iwe will look to the future j rather than to the past," he i said. . Mr Ford called Australia jand New Zealand, “our old ! friends and allies in the i south-west Pacific.”