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7. Mr Dhanabalan hoped that not merely Britain but also the
EEC would be able to do more. In answer to a question, he said that coordination of foreign policies was growing although it
depended on the personalities involved. Dinesh Sing who had
visited the ASEAN capitals to sound them out about recognition of
the new regime in Cambodia had been surprised at their consistent
responses, which had of course been coordinated by the Foreign
Ministers concerned.
Non-Aligned Movement
8. Mr Dhanabalan confirmed that Singapore still recognised
Democratic Kampuchea which still had a seat at the United Nations.
They did not like referring to it as the Pol Pot regime, in view
of their dislike of Pol Pot's policies. Ieng Sary had taken his
seat in Colombo but had not spoken, but at Havana the Cubans might
even refuse visas. It was hypocritical of the Non-Aligned
Movement to include such countries as Vietnam and Cuba but a
surprising number of small countries now seemed prepared to speak
There was no point in remaining aboard a train going in the
wrong direction.
out.
ASEAN's Economic Development
9. Mr Dhanabalan said that Singapore's relatively advanced economy
might be a handicap to economic integration within ASEAN. Singapore
had therefore told her partners that she was willing to stand aside
until such time as they had caught up if they wished to set up their
own free trade area.
Civil Aviation
10. Mr Dhanabalan said that the divisive Australian tactics towards
ASEAN were disturbing. The Australians should realise that it was
in their interests for ASEAN to become a strong coordinated group.
Unfortunately the Australians had for years sheltered behind tariff
barriers and the ICAP dispute was the latest example of this.
Singapore had no objection to cheap rates but did object to them
being confined to Qantas and British Airways and to the exclusion of
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