ASIAN CONFERENCE

Further to our despatch No. 6/49 [1] of February 3rd and to the
cablegrams therein referred to, we desire to report a conversation
between the Egyptian Ambassador (Ismail Kamel Bey), the High
Commissioner and myself when the Ambassador called on Mr. Gollan
today.

2. The Ambassador paid warm tribute to Dr. Burton's work at the
Delhi conference and to what he described as his farsightedness
and balance.

3. The Ambassador was pleased with the results of the conference.

Referring to Bajpai's aide memoire [2], he said that he (Ismail
Kamel Bey) envisaged two blocs (sic) both centred on India and
both pledged to democratic principles in a way which would stem
the advance of Communism. He was most eloquent on this subject. He
then went on to say that like India, Indonesia should be a member
of both groups since she was spiritually part of Islam. The
Ambassador's other arguments in support of a dual role for
Indonesia were a little difficult to grasp.