U.K.: FIVE POWER DEFENCE CONFERENCE OPENS IN LONDON TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE.

Record ID: 636771

  • Title: U.K.: FIVE POWER DEFENCE CONFERENCE OPENS IN LONDON TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE.
  • Date: 15th April 1971
  • Summary: 1. LS Marlborough House 0.05 2. MS RAF guard of honour present arms and PAN to Mr. Gorton on dais. 0.19 3. MCU Guard present arms. 0.24 4. MLS Malaysian foreign minister on dais. 0.35 5. MLS RAF Guard of Honour. 0.38 6. MS Mr. Holyoake on dais. 0.48 7. MLS Guard of honour. 0.51 8. MLS Singapore foreign minister on dais. 1.01 9. MLS Guard of honour 1.05 10. Singapore foreign minister leaves dais. 1.09 11. MS Guard of honour. 1.12 12. MLS Mr heath on dais 1.18 13. MS Guard of honour 1.22 14. MS Mr. Heath leaves dais. 1.31 Initials CO.17.05 JH/BH/CO/17.21 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 30th April 1971 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, U.K.
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVAAL1RLEG59YODWQV0Z51VZP9TW
  • Story Text: Five British Commonwealth powers with forces in Southeast Asia met in London on Thursday (15 April) to approve a new collective defence system for the security of Malaysia and Singapore. British Prime Minister Edward Heath opened the two-day conference in London's Marlborough House. he told the ministerial representatives attending that Britain's military presence would not be the predominant feature of the five-power defence arrangements, but it would be a worthwhile practical contribution.

    Attending the conference at the head of ministerial delegations are the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Sir Keith Holyoake, the Defence Minister and former Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. John Gorton, and the Defence Minister of Singapore, Dr. Goh Keng Swee.

    SYNOPSIS: London's Marlborough House -- the site of many meetings about the British Commonwealth -- on Thursday saw a Royal Air Force guard of honour on duty for the start of a two-day defence conference. The countries taking part are those with forces in Southeast Asia, Australia, Britain Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand are all represented.

    The new defence plan is designed to safeguard Malaysia and Singapore against outside attack. The conference is expected to approve the plan at Friday's final session. The new arrangement will come into force later this year, replacing the current Anglo-Malaysian pact which since 1957 has bound British forces to the region's defence.

    The five delegations are each on the ministerial level. New Zealand's is headed by the Prime Minister, Sir Keith Holyoake.

    Among those in Singapore's delegation is the Foreign Minister The new defence arrangements to which the five governments are providing military forces will no longer carry automatic commitments as was previously in force. Instead, the parties would merely be bound to consult together on action to be taken in the face of armed attack or threat against Malaysia and Singapore.

    British Prime Minister Edward Heat told the conference that Britain's military presence would not be the predominant factor in the five-power defence arrangements. But he said, Britain's effort would match that of the other four partners. He also pointed out that Britain's resources were limited, and account had to be taken of other commitments.
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