TNAG-0299-FCO40-335-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 30

Mr Aichi, taking up Sir Alec's remark that the

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United States did not appear keen on a new Geneva-

type conference pointed out that, according to the

"American Ambassador in Japan, at a recent conference

in the Philippines of American Ambassadors in the

area, great importance had been attached to the

initiatives taken by Asian countries eg the Djkarta Conference last year. He wished to ask Sir Alec,

a

as co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference, to keep

interests in this matter alive. Sir Alec Douglas-Home

said that we would continue to press for the

convening of a Geneva-type conference or something

similar. Russia had so far not responded. Mr Aichi

thought that since the withdrawal of all foreign

troops was envisaged the United States would not have

to lose face. He hoped that the Soviet Union might also find this acceptable.

1.

Sir Alec Douglas Home wondered whether the Chinese

would be interested in a Geneva-type conference.

Mr Aichi said that it was difficult to estimate the

Chinese intentions, but he thought that their relation-

ship with North Vietnam might well be closer than that

of the Soviet Union. Certainly, unless the Chinese

adopted a more peaceful posture, it would be difficult

for the North Vietnamese to respond to any peaceful

gestures. The determined and nationalistic character

of the people of North Vietnam would probably limit

the extent to which China could exercise influence

over that country.

SECURITY IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

Sir Alec Douglas Home said that under the 5-power,

Commonwealth security arrangement which we had proposed

CONFIDENTIAL

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