790.5/5–2254: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation 1
priority
Tedul 108. Ur Dulte 96.2 My preliminary thinking is that we should not resist participation South Asian countries. If they effectively assume [Page 890] responsibilities in Indochina, Thailand and Burma, that would either constitute a useful deterrent influence against communist takeover or if it did not accomplish this it would be educational, particularly to India and we might thereby gain. If India is to be there, believe also Pakistan and Ceylon should participate, also of course Thailand, Philippines, and presumably Burma.3
Before you take definitive position I want to think further about this matter and clear it higher level.
- Drafted by the Secretary of State.↩
- Dated May 22, p. 884.↩
- Smith in telegram Dulte 102, May 24, replied that “In my Dulte 96 am not sure I made it clear that proposal may be that India participate in this Geneva conference on Indochina. If this proposal is made, we have a perfectly valid case for admission to the conference of the Philippines and Thailand, probably also for Pakistan, and as you say, presumably Burma. If it is brought up, will take no position until I hear further from you.” (396.1 GE/5–2454)↩