SECOND DRALT
Introductory article by the Prime Minister for the "Britain in Asia" supplement to be published
with the 25th September, 1969, issue of "Far Eastern Economic Review"
I am glad to be able to contribute an introduction to
the "Britain in Asia" supplement of "Far Eastern Economic Review",
a publication of much value to all who concern
themselves with Asian affairs.
Britain has a long history of association with many
of the countries cr Asia. For nearly two centuries the
British Empire in Asin vas u major factor in Asian affairs.
Now almost all of it has been replaced by sovereign,
independent states, and we are in the process of withdrawing
our last permanent military garrisons East of Suez (other
than that in Hong Kong). However this does not in any way
Lean that we are going to lose interest in a part of the
world with which our contacts have been so varied, so deep
and so long-standing.
We remain members of the Colombo Plan, of the Asian
Development Bank, of the United Nations Economic Commission
for Asia and the Far East, and of the South-East Asia Treaty
Organisation. About two-fifths of all our bilateral aid
is to Asian countries (not including the Middle East); this
amounted to sone £68 million in 1968. Despite our current
balance of payments difficulties we have maintained the level
of our basic overscas ald programme.
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