NO POLITICAL STRINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27386, 11 May 1950, Page 7

NO POLITICAL STRINGS

American Aid In Indo-China FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER’S ASSURANCE NZPA—Copyright PARIS. May 9. The United Press correspondent in Paris says the Foreign Minister, M. Robert Schuman, told the French Cabinet today that no political strings were attached to the United States decision to grant military and economic aid to fight' Communism in Indo-China. A Foreign Office statement ' said: “The United States Secretary of State, Mr Dean Acheson, told M. Schuman that America clearly realised the necessity and urgency of United States aid to Indo-China. This aid is not and will not be subject to any political conditions of any sort. The United States Government only wishes for the general interests of peace in the world and to help France protect the independence of Viet Nam in the French Union.” The amount of aid was not disclosed, but it was suggested in some •quarters that there would be an immediate first instalment of up to £10,000.000 of war equipment. In return, Mr Acheson is reported to have asked for a guarantee of progressively increased independence for IndoChina and for the strengthening of the anti-Communist attitude in France.