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r Alec: Well you can only bring about harmony by regular contacts and
growing trust and confidence in each other and this series of meetings which
vith
we have / Japan I think contributes to that end.
Question: Finally, a question that relates to the visit overall. With
Britain going into Europe how important la Asia to Britain now?
Wo have had a common
interest
Sir Al00: W811 let us take our past first.
with many countries in Asia 17 trade. I think this is the main interest
where we can contribute to the stability as for example/part of the five-power
force in South East Asia wa lend a military contribution. That is marginal
43
but nevertheless I think it is useful. So I would say that trade is our
biggest interest and of course for the countries like India and the countries
of South East Asia that is all important if they are to raise their standard
two of living. And we have / very olose partners in the Commonwealth in New Zealand
by the
and Australia vitally affected / whole of the relationship in that area and
Indonesia of course has a potential as one of the most important countries
in that part of the world. And so I would say that Europe would have a great
interest'in the prosperity and stability of South East Asia.
East.
Question: And perhaps at some point, an Eritain has done in the past, we could
play the role of a reconsiler of conflicts as we did for example in presiding.
over the Laos confereace and the Ghợpc conference on Indochina. Do you see
this kind of role continuing for us in Asia? Sir Alea: Wollitia
ready
possible we could always hold ourselves / if this is wanted.
"But there is a trend in the world now, isn't there, for countries to try and
settle their own affairs in their own area among themselves. Asia for the
But I think we must hold experience
Asians, Africa for the Africans, and the rest.
ourselves ready in Europe to contribute whet
asked to do so but not force our way in.
we have should we be
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