398.00 BA/3–1350: Telegram
The Ambassador in Australia (Jarman) to the Secretary of State
72. Burton discussed with Foster the meeting of Intergovernmental Committee of Commonwealth Countries arising out of Colombo Conference and scheduled for mid-May in Australia possibly at Jervis [Page 54] Bay.1 Said Australia desired keep US Government closely informed of committee’s work and would appreciate learning whether US would be interested in assigning an officer to attend informally as observer. Stressed that this suggestion carried no intent to draw US into substance of conference.
Burton added that Australia considered it would be mistake invite non-Commonwealth SEA countries participate this stage since they would be on receiving end economic aid and their presence would hopelessly complicate discussions and plans governments represented at meeting. Fact they were not being invited, debarred Australia from extending formal invitation to US to attend even if US willing accept such formal invitation.
Foster asked whether Australia had yet had any reaction from Manila concerning proposal that Baguio Conference be transferred to Australia and tied in with Intergovernmental Committee meeting (Embtel 62, March 2).2
Burton said no, but Spender planned goodwill visit Manila end of March and hopes this would placate Filipinos. Added in strictest confidence that Australians present thinking is to suggest to other Commonwealth countries represented at Intergovernmental meeting that they “exchange views” on a possible Pacific pact. Since India might balk on this, suggestion would be withheld until meeting fully arranged and India’s participation assured.
We consider it would be useful send Sturm3 to meeting, it being clearly understood by Australian and other governments that he was there only as informal observer and that his presence would not in any sense involve US meeting. On assumption Department does not wish at “this stage be drawn into these economic discussions and plans for SEA, Embassy recommends against sending an officer from Washington since this could not fail be construed as direct and substantial participation by US.
Please instruct.
Sent Department 72; pouched Wellington, New Delhi, Colombo, Karachi, Manila, Rangoon, Ottawa, Department pass London.
- The Commonwealth Consultative Committee met in Sydney from May 15 to May 20, 1950. For information on efforts to promote the economic development of South and Southeast Asia originating with the Colombo Conference of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers in January 1950, see Great Britain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Colombo Plan for Co-operative Economic Development in South and South-East Asia, Report by the Commonwealth Consultative Committee, London, September–October, 1950 (Cmd. 8080) (London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1950).↩
- Not printed.↩
- Paul J. Sturm, Second Secretary of the Embassy in Australia.↩