Vance pledges U.S. commitment to S.E. Asia

Press, 4 July 1979, Page 8

Vance pledges U.S. commitment to S.E. Asia

NZPA-Reuter Bali, Indonesia The United States said yesterday it had made clear to the Soviet Union and Vietnam that it was committed morally and by treaty to support the five non-com-munist member States of the Association of South-East Asian Nations. At a conference with A.S.E.A.N. Foreign Ministers in Bali, the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cyrus Vance) said the war in Kampuchea threatened the security of the region, particularly Thailand. “The independence, freedom, and territorial integrity of all the States in the region must be respected,” he said. “We are committed morally and by treaty to support the A.S.E.A.N. States. We have made this clear to all concerned — and directly to the Soviet Union and Vietnam.” A.S.E.A.N. groups Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Four other Foreign Ministers, Mr Andrew Peacock, of Australia; Mr Brian Taiboys, of New Zealand, Mr Sunao Sonoda, of Japan, and Mr Michael O’Kennedy, of Ireland, representing the European Common Market, were also in Bali to discuss the Indo-China problem with A.S.E.A.N. leaders.

Mr Vance said: “The fighting in Kampuchea and the military occupation there pose an increasingly serious danger to the security of the region. “The conflict carries with

it the serious risk of expanded military action and; escalation, heightened tensions in the region, and further human suffering.” President Carter had confirmed the continuing validity of United States commitments to Thailand under the Manila Pact. “I reaffirm that today,” declared Mr Vance. The United States was accelerating military aid for individual A.S.E.A.N. States and would continue to strengthen its over-all military capabilities m Asia, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, he said. Mr Vance said the flood of refugees from Indo-China was also posing a serious challenge to A.S.E.A.N. and the world. A main .source of the problem was Vietnam’s policy of systematic expulsion, which was forcing hundreds of thousands to flee, and tens of thousands to die.

He welcomed Japan’s decision to double its share the cost of refugee relief and praised Australia and New Zealand for their efforts in resettling refugees.