Now that Agreement was entirely appropriate at the time
when it was concluded. At that time we had large forces stationed
in the area. In the future, because of financial constraints
and because of limitations on the Service manpower available,
we cannot retain such large forces in the Malaysia/Singapore
area. We therefore consider that the Anglo-Malaysian Defence
Agreement no longer fits the political and military realities
of the situation, and our partners in the new Five Power defence
arrangements have accepted that this must be our view.
The Governments of Malaysia, Singapore, Australia,
New Zealand and Britain have therefore agreed to join in working
out new defence arrangements based on a political commitment of
a consultative nature which we should all equally undertake. Our
intention is that in the event of an armed attack, or the threat
of one, upon Malaysia or Singapore we should all consult together
and decide what action should be taken. There would be no
majority vote and no veto. Each of us would decide what action
to take in the light of all the circumstances at the time.
That is the basis upon which the new Five Power defence arrangemets
are being built.
We consider it important, in order to give substance to
this consultative commitment, that the three external powers
(Australia, New Zealand and Britain) should each station forces
in the area. Australie and New Zealand had, of course, already
made clear their intention to retain forces there after the
withdrawal of British forces, decided on by the former Labour
Government in Britain, had taken place. My Government is
convinced that the retention of British forces on the spot,
because they will be evidence of our political commitment to
the new Five Power defence arrangements, will be valuable in
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