Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 210
The Secretary of State to the Department of State
priority
Secto 177. For Robertson and Bonbright from McConaughy. We have frustrated Communist five-power effort and obtained agreement to conference on Korea essentially on our own terms.
I hope you can prevail on press not to portray Geneva conference erroneously as five-power gathering.
Unconditional commitment to discuss Indochina at same conference may give us trouble, although it does not compromise any basic principle and was made inescapable by pressure on Bidault. We have a difficult negotiation ahead of us.
Believe we should start now to insure participation of Thailand and Philippines in Indochina phase of conference as well as Korea phase. Early recognition of Associated States1 by Philippines and if possible by other states of Southeast Asia increasingly imperative. Strong antiCommunist participation of Associated States in conference must be actively sought.
Arriving home 21st.
- Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.↩