CONFIDENTIAL
Moscow.
The Chinese had, on several occasions, explained to the Japanese the sensitivity of their relations with North Korea eg when Japan expressed support for quadripartite con- versations on the future of the peninsula, which would of course include China. The Chinese then told the Japanese that they hesitated to comment on the idea, since they were obliged to support North Korea. The same caution was in
evidence when the Japanese attempted to talk to the Chinese about the succession to Kim Il-sung.
Indo-China
24. Mr Matsunaga said that the Vietnamese Foreign Minister, Co Thach, had just visited Japan. His visit had demonstrated that the basic position of the Vietnamese government on Cambodia had not changed. But the Vietnamese were becoming increasingly aware of their international isolation and wanted to improve their dialogue with countries like Japan. Co Thach had stressed that he hoped Japan would play a positive role in Indo-China and had said Vietnam was ready to consider Japanese proposals for a Cambodia solution if Japan adopted a more neutral position. Co Thach had also seemed especially critical of China and had underlined the extent to which Vietnam believed China was
damaging her interests. His line on China had been much stronger than his comments on the US. Mr Luce observed that one of
Co Thach's objectives in talking to Western leaders was to reveal and exploit differences of opinion. Mr Matsunaga agreed; but in his view Co Thach was also becoming more concerned about the stalemate in Indo-China and Vietnam's continuing international
isolation.
Distribution:
FED
HKD
SEAD
Research Dept
PS
PS/Lady Young PS/Mr Luce PS/PUS
Sir W Harding Mr Boyd Tokyo
Peking Seoul
Hong Kong
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.