TNAG-0299-FCO40-335-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 27

Mr

ASIA

JH BOTH EAST ASIA

At the

Aichi remaded that the fighting in Indo-China

had shifted from South Vietnam to Cambodia, and Laos.

The Americans were in a difficult position. For

domestic reasons they must expedite the withdrawal

of their troops and carry out Vietnamisation

same time they must continue to seek a peaceful

settlement at the talks in Paris. In his view the

prospects for success in these talks were not bright.

He thought that North Vietnam's future actions would

{

be greatly, influenced by the intentions of China. Ile

would be interested to hear Sir Alec's views on this.

The release of the American prisoners in North

Vietnam was a difficult problem for the Americans.

They had asked a number of countries including Japan to use their good offices, but there were limits

to what Japan could do. From a humanitarian point of

view, depending on how the matter was talen up in

an" international context, progress over the problem

}.

of the prisoners could contribute to a solution of the

general problem. When the fighting had escalated.

to Laos, Japan had held consultations with certain

other countries. They had done so again with eg

Indonesia and Malaysia over. Cambodia and they had

appealed to the signaories of the Geneva accords with

a view to bringing about a peaceful settlement.

They had also of course, approached the United Kingdom.

They regarded international co-operation over this

question as most important and would continue their

efforts to this end.

1

CONTIDENTIAL