Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association. Vol 40. No. 7. April 13 1977

US Eyes ASEAN

US Eyes ASEAN.

The Bangkok Post reported a meeting in Lop Buri, Thailand, attended by three top level military representatives from United States. Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand. The formation of the coalition was aimed at studying and exchanging various counter-insurgency tactics. The coalition was headed by American Special Warfare Chief, Major General B.C. Kingston. The next meeting of the coalition was scheduled to take place in South Korea although no date being announced, according to March 4th report of New Asia News.

Such development deserves closer scrutiny and especially at this stage when there is overt military involvement of the Americans.

American intention can be sized up in the recent speech of American Ambassador in Singapore, John J. Hodridge, who said that American would continue its interest in S.E. Asia. "One should keep in mind that an American withdrawal from Asia and retreat into neo-isolation will not happen." "American interest in South East Asia is simply too great. US security Interest, both global and regional, demand our continuing involvement in Asia," said Holdridge.