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propaganda. As in 1965 there were strong objections from a number of Latin American, Asian and especially African Delegations on the grounds that although they disapproved of foreign bases maintained against the wish of the indigenous population, the Soviet draft went too far in denying the sovereign right of States
Once aga to secure foreign assistance in their self-defence. the Soviet Delegation decided not to submit their draft to a voJE and an alternative resolution, tabled by India, the U.A.R. and Yugoslavia, was adopted (Res. 2165(XXI)), by ninety-nine to one with eight abstentions, which read:
3.
"Considering that this question is of paramount importance and therefore necessitates serious discussion because of its implications on international peace and security, decides to transmit to the Conference of the Eighteen- Nation Committee on Disarmament all the documents and records of the First Committee and the General Assembly during the discussion of this item for further consideration and report".
In explanation of our vote in favour we said that we thought the resolution was a satisfactory outcome of the debate on this item but that we could not agree that the question was of "paramount" importance.
4. In 1967, after a perfunctory debate in the First Committee, a resolution was adopted, (RES 2344 (XXII)), by one hundred-and- five (including the U.K.) to none with thirteen abstentions (including the U.S.A.), inviting the NDC to prepare a progress report for the twenty-third session. The ENDC did not in fact discuss this subject during 1968.
C. Policy and Tactics
5. Soviet proposals on these lines have always been opposed by the West. They contravene the accepted basic principle that measures of disarmament should not upset the military balance, and are clearly designed to give the Soviet Union military advantage. We have always taken the view that the need for foreign bases will decrease progressively as arms and armed forces are reduced in the process of disarmament. The need is therefore to work for progress towards general and complete disarmament.
6. From the point of view of Her Majesty's Government, the less said about bases the better. This is because, in view of our special responsibilities and interests, we must retain our ability to fulfil our overseas commitments for as long as there is no international peace-keeping force adequate to fill the gap.
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7. In view of recent events in Czechoslovakia the East Europeans may well find this item an embarrassment to them this year and we think it is unlikely that they will press it. Our objective should be to have the subject referred back to the ENDC for study.
8. As counter to the standard Soviet arguments, attention might be drawn to the policy laid down by Her Majesty's Government in the Defence White Paper in 1966:
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