Editorial Note
On August 14, the Department issued the following statement:
“The Government of the United States has agreed with other like-minded Governments that the situation in Southeast Asia calls for the establishment of a collective security arrangement, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, to strengthen the fabric of peace in the general area of Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific.
“Accordingly, the Government of the Philippines having offered facilities in Baguio, the Foreign Ministers of the Governments concerned have agreed to meet there on September 6 to consider measures to further their common objectives in the area. This meeting follows consultation between the U.S. Government and other Governments over the past 4 months.” (Department of State Bulletin, August 23, 1954, page 264)
Similar, but not identical, statements were issued on the same day by the Governments of Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.