Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Geneva Conference, Volume XVI

396.1 GE/7–1854: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation¹

secret

Washington, July 18, 1954—1:41 p.m.

Tosec 566. At conclusion final study-group meeting UK showed us memorandum representing their understanding situation re membership countries as follows:²

“For UK Record

It was understood that the wording of Para 8b(1) covered the possibility of India, Pakistan, and Ceylon becoming initial members. The US Representative said that they would not in practice interpret it to cover the inclusion of Formosa, Korea or Japan as initial members. He indicated that the US Government had no intention of opening informal consultations with Formosa, Korea or Japan in order to bring them in as initial members, but would not, however, preclude their eventual participation under the provisions of the treaty governing the accession of additional parties.”

With respect to area to be covered by pact we made following notation which we gave the British:

“The US Representative made clear to the UK Representatives that in the US view, commitments under Para 8c(3) did not apply to Hong Kong.”

Dulles

1. Drafted by Tyler of EUR/WE and Duvall of OC/T. Repeated to Saigon as telegram 220, to London as telegram 367, and to Paris as telegram 226.
2. For the text of the report of the U.S.-U.K. Study Group on Southeast Asia, see telegram Tosec 563, July 17, p. 1410.