790.5/7–2354
The Ambassador in Australia (Peaslee) to the Department of State
No. 34
Subject:
- Employment of Australian Forces in Defense of Southeast Asia.
Ref:
- London’s despatch 2462 January 19: London’s Telegram 3198 to the Department January 27, rptd Canberra 6 Wellington 38; London’s Telegram 3946 to the Department March 13, rptd Canberra 7 Wellington 40; and London’s Telegram No. 1 July 8 to Canberra.1
In an interview July 21 with Assistant Secretary Plimsoll of the Department of External Affairs, question was raised regarding the timing of Cabinet consideration of the so-called Melbourne proposals which resulted from the visit to Australia and New Zealand of Field Marshal Sir John Harding. In the case of Australia, the essence of these proposals was that Australian forces should bolster and supplement United Kingdom forces in Southeast Asia and possibly assume some of the roles and missions presently allocated to the United Kingdom. As a concomitant, Australian responsibilities in Malta and the Middle East would be reduced.
Mr. Plimsoll pointed out that the proposal when advanced some months ago was deemed inappropriate for consideration by a government which was facing an election. He then added that he knew of no plan to have the matter come before Cabinet in the near future and stated that it would certainly not be considered at the Cabinet meeting July 22. He inferred that because of the government’s concentration on the question of a settlement in Indo-China, and the formation of a Southeast Asian Treaty Organization, the government’s decision regarding placement of forces would not be made until the atmosphere in Indo-China cleared and responsibilities of participants in SEATO were indicated.
Counselor of Embassy
- None printed.↩