is in London. Therefore it is not a British institution. It's the most
internationalised institution apart from the United Nations that exists.
Q:
But I want to get to the British influence is there and it's very
important that you influence these previous colonies and dominions that you
have your influence through the Commonwealth. That is what I want to get
across.
A:
,
But it's mutual. The English language, you are quite right, is
extremely important. I went recently to a meeting in Bangkok between the
European Community and ASEAN, the Association of South-East Asian
Nations, and of course there are very deep links with those countries
Malaysia and Singapore particularly and Thailand and, up to a point, Indonesia.
What interests me is that they conducted their business in English and I
think there is no doubt, of course we did, in the 17th, 18th, 19th century
very much leave our mark in the countries that we were then administering
all round the world and I think there is now a respect and understanding for
the way in which we did it and there is a desire for friendship with Britain
on behalf of the members. So it isn't in any sense a British institution,
it's quite wrong to think of it in those terms.
Q:
And they send mostly students to British universities to get a British
education? You are still giving places to
A:
•
Oh yes indeed of course we are. We think our universities are the best
in the world. They are very good and of course we want people to come. But
it is essentially in all its dimensions a gathering of friends.
Q:
How optimistic are you about the outcome of the disarmament talks
in Geneva in general?
A: Not very optimistic at the moment. I hope that I am proved wrong.
Since the new leadership in Moscow has taken office we meet a very intransigent
rigid negative line. We have made a number of proposals, theUnited States
have made a number of proposals. All have been turned down, out of hand. That
is a line which the Soviet Union has taken before but it certainly is rather a
discouraging, depressing outlook but I would hope in the long run, provided we
are patient, we can persuade them in the end that it's in their interests as it
is our interests to maintain our security at a lower level of armaments.
it is in their interests. The Russians economy is in great difficulties.
would be a very great advantage in them diverting some of the sources now
And
There