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

396.1 MA/9–254: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Philippines (Spruance) to the Department of State¹

secret

Manila, September 2, 1954—9 p.m.

Secto 2. We have canvassed informally other dels re problem Vietnamese and Dutch request for observer status at conference.² It clear that if request of Vietnam formally put before working group there will not be agreement to allow Vietnam send representatives which would have any connection with conference formal or informal. In addition to UK, Australia, and New Zealand opposition, Pakis are unalterably opposed. Re Dutch request, none of dels favorable since, and we concur, allowing Dutch send observers would open door for other countries make similar request even though they might have no interest in area and in circumstances we believe it might be advisable suggest to both Vietnamese and Dutch Governments that they not make formal requests to conference re observers. Such requests if formally presented would undoubtedly be rejected which would seem to us to create embarrassing situation both for those two governments and for governments represented conference. We intend keep Dutch Minister Manila informed re progress conference and suggest US diplomatic representatives Saigon, Phnom Penh, Vientiane do same for governments to which accredited.

Please instruct.³

Spruance

1. The content of this telegram indicates that it was prepared by the U.S. Delegation to the Manila Conference.

   Telegram repeated for information to The Hague, Phnom Penh, Saigon, and Vientiane.

2. The Dutch request for observers had been conveyed in telegram 348 from Ambassador Matthews (at The Hague) to the Department, repeated for information to the U.S. Delegation at Manila. According to Matthews Foreign Minister Luns “asked that I pass this official request on and said its acceptance would help mitigate Dutch bitterness at their total exclusion from all Southeast Asian discussions.” (396.1 MA/9–154)
3. In telegram Tosec 23, Sept. 3, repeated to Saigon and The Hague, the Department replied: “Department believes that if US Del unable informally remove opposition among UK and other dels to Vietnamese request US Del should advise Embassy Saigon inform Vietnamese Foreign Minister that although US would like see Vietnamese observer at Manila position of Conference appears to be in opposition to having any observers present from nonsignatory countries even on unofficial basis.” (396.1 MA/9–354) The delegation acted on this request in telegram 141 from Manila to Saigon, Sept. 5, repeated as Secto 10 to Washington, not printed. (396.1 MA/9–254)