8. I was glad to see, from recent announcements, that
Australia and New Zealand are not withdrawing their
military presence from Malaysia and Singapore when we do
ours, and that they will this spring be meeting again with
these two countries to concert arrangements for assuring the
security of the area after our withdrawal. We shall also be
taking part in that conference since it is far from our
thought that our withdrawal of permanent garrisons should
indicate unreadiness to be of such continued help in other
ways to the defence of Commonwealth countries East of Suez
as may from time be desired by them, and practicable for us.
We shall continue to maintain a considerable capability for
military action far from any permanent bases we may then
have and exercises will be undertaken by our forces, in
countries
co-operation with those of the Commonwealth/in South-East
Asia, to facilitate speedy and effective British support if
and when emergencies calling for this should arise.
9. In the Persian Gulf we are also hopeful that the states
concerned will during the period before our last forces are
withdrawn have concerted with one another adequate arrange-
ments for their own defence.
10.
11.
As regards the Far East
a) Hong Kong and the two Chinas
b) Vietnam
c) The Philippine claim to Sabah
The most immediate anxiety is in the Middle East and
arises not from our announced withdrawal from bases East of
Suez but from the failure as yet to find any basis for
peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
/12.
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