TNAG-0021-FCO40-57-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 87

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DRAFT

0,54

Thank you for your letter of 15th January. You ask three

questions.

On the first, the Malaysian Government are of course aware

that small numbers of American troops receive training from time

to time at the British Jungle Warfare School in their country,

and they have agreed to this.

You ask whether this training is compatible with the policy

laid down by the Iabour Party Conference. The Government's

position on the resolution was argued by the Foreign Secretary

at that Conference, and he emphasised that above all we must

seek to maintain our position of influence with the various

parties concerned in the war. This is vital to the achievement

of our central aim and duty as co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference,

to bring the parties to the conference table: as I pointed out

in my last letter to you, the Prime Minister has made it clear

that "everything else will be subordinate to that aim? Frankly,

we do not consider that the withdrawal of the small amount of

training that we provide to the US would have the slightest effect

on our influence with Hanoi; but for the Government to comply with the Party Conference's resolution "to dissociate itself

completely from the policy of the United States Government

would harm our position with the Americans. I have already said

to you that we see nothing in the provision of this training

that would be inconsistent with our position as co-Chairman, and

no moral objection to it.

You referred to the le ve facilities we grant to US Servicemen

in Hong Kong. Taking into account all the considerations that.

bear on this question, we think it right that we should provide

these facilities.

The Revd John Huxtable, MA

Memorial Hall

Farringdon Street

London, E.C.4.