Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 116
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Policy Reports Staff (Kitchen)
Participants:
- Secretary Acheson
- Foreign Minister Casey of Australia
During his call on Secretary Acheson Sunday evening,1 Foreign Minister Casey asked the Secretary what he wanted done at this conference. The Secretary said he thought it was a matter of discussing problems which we face throughout the world. These issues needed to be thoroughly discussed and considered and it was highly desirable that this ANZUS meeting not get bogged down on problems of organization and liaison arrangements. If the Australians wanted real contact with the American Government and its thinking on world problems, it was highly desirable that they keep in [Page 171] touch with the Department of State and not continue to attempt to establish themselves in liaison with the Pentagon. The Secretary said that officers of the rank that would be in touch with most ANZUS liaison officers were not the ones who had much to do with making policy. With particular regard to Pacific defense and its problems, the real planning was being done by Admiral Radford and his staff here in Hawaii, and that if the Australians and New Zealanders really wanted contact with the military planning operation, this was the place for it. Planning on other matters was really done by the State Department, and the Australians and New Zealanders should stick with their present contacts with the Department.
The Secretary said his instructions were absolute and there was no possibility of any change in them during the course of the present conference. It simply was not possible for them to expect any greater access to the Pentagon. If the ANZUS meeting got through the organizational steps in good order, the Secretary would present a total picture that would give them plenty to think about and work on. The Secretary said that he realized that many Australians and New Zealanders had the impression that the Pentagon was the center of global thought as far as the United States was concerned, but that this simply was not so. He hoped that this was understood and that the present conference could be cleaned up in a hurry.
Mr. Casey said that he was under considerable pressure from the British to have them brought into ANZUS planning. He said that Mr. Eden feels very deeply on this question and has pressed Casey to push the British case. The Secretary said he felt that this was completely impossible. Casey said that in this case he did not believe it was right for Australia and New Zealand to allow the blame to be placed on the Secretary. He said that he would have to carry Webb2 with him and that all three must carry the burden of being held responsible for the exclusion of the British. He considered that it would be disloyal of them to do otherwise. The Secretary said that he appreciated their consideration, but he was perfectly willing to take the responsibility.