CO537-6578 — Page 48

VIII.

IX.

-10-

44.

It was agreed that the "Vietnam News Service" run by the Vietminh was very effective in Burma, and also in the Middle East and in Europe. There was an urgent need for something to counteract it.. Mr. Swan (Saigon) said the French understood the need for using Asian channels and that Vietnamese representatives had been sent to India and Ottawa and a Minister appointed to Bangkok.

45.

During discussion of the Regional Information Officer's paper on Propaganda in Indo-China, it was agreed that an attempt might be made in our propaganda to show that Ho Chi Minh is overshadowed by his "Kremlin clique", The Chairman pointed out that we must also lay the foundations of a wider propaganda policy by building up Bao Dai and Vietnam. It was agreed that a short paper on the projection of Indo- China to the rest of South East Asia should be prepared for the Bukit Serene Conference (see Appendix "D".)

Propaganda to the Overseas Chinese in South- East Asia.

46.

There was general discussion based on Sir JohnSterndale Bennett's letter to Mr. Murray Reference 8113/60/50G of 3rd November, 1950 and as a result it was agreed that a paper be drafted for submission to the Bukit Serene Conference. (The paper was duly drafted and submitted to the Bukit Serene Conference.)

47.

During the discussion it was agreed that in the absence of a third force, anti-Communist elements among the Overseas Chinese were increasingly tuming to the Kuomintang, though the large proportion were still unprepared to commit themselves.

48.

Hir. Thomson pointed out the distinction which should be made in the case of Singapore between the Straits-born and the China-born, since the latter as subjects of the Chinese Government felt that an open break with Peking would leave them stateless and unprotected.

49.

Mr. Malcolm asked whether positive propaganda could be of assistance, and it was agreed that we should continue to try and convince the Overseas Chinese that they were better off here than in China. It was accepted

but that they had not much interest in Britain, were receptive to material tonding to show increased stability in Hong Kong and Singapore.

P.R.S. Paper on Fropaganda in the Current Emergency see Appendix "C"

50.

Mr. Thomson pointed out that this paper had been tabled for information rather than for discussion, but the Chairman said that it was

/likely to.....