3
co-chairman of the conformnco, that the conformnce ought to be reconvened.
I understand Mr. Malik has mado a statement about this recently, but I'm
afraid I haven't born able to got raliablo information as to exactly what
tho contants of that statomont was. But for our part, wo should like to soo
tho conformnco roconvonod, and a poacoful solution found.
Mr. Rajagopal:
About tho arms supply to Nigoria.
How was it that
your Foreign Offico spokosman said "Wo can't supply arms to Cambodia"?
Mr. Start: We are in a vory different position there, you soo.
t
Wo aro aftor all ono of the co-chairman of the conformnce and for that roason
wo do not think it would bo suitable for us to supply arms horo. Nigeria, of
courso, is a Commonwealth country, one of whose traditional suppliors wo woro.
Mr. Andrew Tilley (RTV): On the subhect of Indo-China
....
Laos and
Cambodia
Britain to roconsider her decision
on withdrawal.
Mr. Stewart: I don't think wo cithor can or ought to reconsider our
decision about withdrawal from tho Far East. I doubt vory much if anybody
would havo said oven if that decision had not boon mado, that wo ought to
havo got involved in tho actual fighting in Southoast Asia.
Mr. Tillow
It's said that Britain's policy is to come back to
Southoast Asia when and if troublo occurs rather than to romain thoro. Will
this act as a deterrent on the aggrossors?
Mr. Stewart: Well, I think our policy can bo moro accurately
described as this: wo are not going to maintain the military prosenco cast
of Suoz wo used to maintain. Wo've decided to bring that to an end by the and
of 1971. Now, although there might be somo arguments as to the exact dato,
I don't think thoro's any doubt that that decision would havo had to have bom
taken sooner or lator without vory much differenco as to the exact time you
/put to