Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 1

790.5/7–2054

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Officer in Charge of Thai and Malayan Affairs (Landon)

confidential

[Washington,] July 20, 1954.

Subject:

• Multilateral Security Pact for Southeast Asia.

Participants:

• His Excellency Pote Sarasin, Ambassador of Thailand
• Thuaithep Devakul, Minister Counselor, Thai Embassy
• Mr. Drumright—FE
• Mr. Sturm—PSA
• Mr. Landon—PSA

The Thai Ambassador was invited to call in order to brief him on the matters under discussion in the closing sessions of the Joint U.S.-U.K. Study Group regarding a possible Mutual Security Pact for Southeast Asia. He was informed that the British had continued to be reluctant to move at this time; that, however, Mr. Eden had recently shown sympathetic understanding for the United States point of view in desiring quick action; that one element in British desire for delay was their hope to include as signers of such a pact some of the South Asian nations such as India, Pakistan and Ceylon, as well as Burma and Indonesia in Southeast Asia, which the United States did not consider likely initial supporters for such a pact.

The Thai Ambassador asked whether we would wait indefinitely for the British to move and he was informed that only a reasonable delay would be permitted and that it was hoped discussions among the likely initial signers could begin by September 1.

The Thai Ambassador asked whether progress at Geneva was affecting the British point of view and without waiting for a reply asked for further information on current developments at Geneva. An outline of possible agreements or declarations was given him in summary form.¹ These included cease-fire agreements with appropriate announcement between the three Associated States and the Vietminh, the French participating in agreements with Vietnam and Laos but probably not with Cambodia, which appeared to be acting independently of the French. Following cease-fire agreements there would be various declarations such as a general declaration by the Geneva Conference, followed by individual declarations by Cambodia and Laos, and a unilateral one by the United States taking note of the cease-fire agreements and the other Geneva declarations. This outline was given on a tentative basis subject to momentary alteration or cancellation. It was made clear that the United States Government would not subscribe to nor participate in the Geneva declarations or agreements but would make its own separate comment.

The Thai Ambassador reverted to the draft Multilateral Security Pact² and said he had certain comments provided him in the Thai language by the Foreign Minister Wan Waithayakorn. He agreed to make these available in writing but desired to give the comments orally at this time. He had no comment to make on the draft declaration but only on the draft treaty. In the preamble to the treaty he suggested the deletion of the words “and declare”. In Article I he suggested adding a comma after the words “united nations”. In regard to the words “international disputes” the Ambassador suggested that these should refer specifically to disputes involving the signers of the treaty only, as otherwise it would duplicate language in the United Nations Charter and would have no particular meaning for this specific treaty. In Article III, first paragraph, the phrase “declares that it would act to meet the common danger”, should be altered to read “Agrees to join in taking appropriate action” in order to secure collective action promptly.

It was pointed out to the Ambassador that this weakened the draft as it limited the action to collective action and would not permit individual nations to act. The Ambassador then proposed a substitute reading “agrees to assist by taking appropriate action”, which, he stated, had more possibilities for action.

The Thai Ambassador reaffirmed that he would put these suggestions in writing for consideration by officers in the Department.

The conversation then turned to future relations between Thailand, Laos and Cambodia and the Ambassador was asked what he thought Thailand might be able to do to strengthen Laos and Cambodia. He made no suggestions and commented only that Lao officials were showing a more active interest in developing commercial relations with Thailand. He was asked whether this might not be the time for the Thai Government to try to develop a better economic understanding with Laos and Cambodia, perhaps establishing a Mekong River Authority of some sort which would have as its objective the improvement of the economic interests of the three nations. He said that this was one idea to consider and would appreciate any further ideas which the Department might make to him.³

1. For texts of the documents agreed to at the Geneva Conference, see vol. xvi, pp. 1505 ff.
2. Dated July 9. See the comparative texts in SEAP D–2, Aug. 2, p. 686.
3. Drumright, Sturm, and Bell held a similar conversation with Leuterio and Albert, also on July 20. The Philippine Chargé, however, stated that his government had as yet no comment to offer on the draft security treaty. (Memorandum of conversation by Bell; 790.5/7–2054)