CONFIDENTIAL
only by the Czechs, vetoed a Non-Aligned resolution calling for an
immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of foreign forces; we were
among the other 13 members of the Council who supported the
resolution. Vietnam's credentials are widely recognised as being
spurious; but the Non-Aligned do not now appear inclined to take
any further UN initiatives (and we do not expect any attempt to read
Vietnam out of the Non-Aligned Movement). In the circumstances, it
does not seem to us that the UN has a useful role to play, for the
present; the Americans may have come to the same conclusion.
Conceivably, if the Chinese prevail on Prince Sihanouk to remain
in the picture, this could affect matters.
Relations with the United Kingdom
14. The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary made clear to the
Vietnamese Ambassador on 23 January the extent of our concern at
the Vietnamese behaviour and informed him that the sooner Vietnam
withdrew to its own boundaries the better. He warned the Vietnamese
against the risk of hostilities breaking out in either the Thai-
Cambodian or Sino-Vietnamese borders.
25. We are reviewing our aid programme for Vietnam and have indicated
to our Community partners that we are against further EEC project
aid at present. (We are, however, so far prepared to agree to
continuing Community food aid.) We agree in principle (with the US
proposal) that donors should approach the IBRD and ADB with the
suggestion that existing lending programmes to Vietnam should be
re-evaluated.
26. We consider it to be in the Western interest for the whole
burden of economic and military support for Vietnam (a "basket" case,
CONET DENTAL
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