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into the I.C.C., working with the two Chairmen,
so that this group could supervise the execu-
tion of a settlement.
close
We were watching the
situation with/interest and would be ready to
play our part when the time came.
16. Mr. Stewart thought that the Russians were
on the whole a moderating influence in North
Vietnam, while the Chinese were the reverse.
The Russian influence was probably the greater. Bank It was remarkable how great a degree of freedom
of action the North Vietnamese had managed to
preserve.
17. Any settlement must include a programme of
aid and rehabilitation. We too would wish to
tke part in this. The South must be free to
choose a government without pressure; but the
reunification of Vietnam had to be a much more
distant objective. Mr. Stewart agreed that
now that both parties were in Paris they would
not go away without a settlement, though this
would take time.
18. In Laos the Communists would hold on to
their positions as long as they judged these
necessary for their purposes in Vietnam. SOUTH-EAST ASIA (COVERING DEFENCE, REGIONAL CO-OPERATION AND AID POLICIES
Defence 19
Mr. Stewart said that after 1971
the defence of the area would be a matter for
decision by the countries concerned. The next
round of the five-power talks at Ministerial
level would be held in June. It was gratifying
to see Australia now taking the lead. Both
Australia and New Zealand intended to stution
/forces
COTRID CIUTAT,
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