361.1 GE/7–1854: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
priority
Secto 644. Limit distribution. Eden has just given us following draft message to Colombo powers, Australia and New Zealand (re [Page 1435] Tosec 5621) which he is today transmitting to capitals concerned for delivery as soon as London approval received. He expects this will be forthcoming tomorrow. I told Eden I thought we would want to make similar communication to Philippines and Thailand, that it would be somewhat different because they had already agreed in principle to this move, but that we should synchronize our approaches. He undertook to have London inform Washington directly of UK Government approval.
Further comment follows in separate message.2
Language in brackets [parentheses] is original UK text3 which Eden agreed to amend at my suggestion.
Begin text:
Draft message to Colombo powers, Australia and New Zealand
“We are now in the critical concluding phase of the Geneva conference. We are all working very hard for an agreement, to which I attach the greatest possible importance. I still hope one may be reached.
“If it is, I trust that we may count upon all of the Colombo powers as well as upon other countries, to endorse it and to associate themselves with it in some way. This would very greatly strengthen peace in Asia. I shall communicate with you again as soon as possible about this once we have got agreement.
“The chances of agreement are still in my opinion no better than even. In these circumstances we are bound in prudence to consider the action to be taken in the interests of peace if we fail. A very grave situation would at once arise and it would be of crucial importance that common action on the widest possible basis should be taken urgently in order to stablize it.
“In my view the best action would be an early announcement that countries of the Commonwealth and of South and Southeast Asia, together with the United States and France had all agreed to work together to ensure their common defense.
“As you know, we have long been in favor of creating a broadly based defensive organization for Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific. Such a system is needed whether or not agreement is reached here. But if agreement is not reached then the need will become far more urgent and joint planning should begin at once.
“HMG have accordingly decided in that event to join with the United States Government, and with such other interested governments as are willing to take part, in making an early declaration of their intention to establish such an organization (begin such joint discussion). They greatly hope that the government of ______ will also be ready to make such a statement. You will see that no place is mentioned and we would like your views upon this. A draft showing the [Page 1436] form such a statement might take is contained in my immediately following telegram.
“We shall be glad to have your very early views on this proposal. A similar invitation is being addressed to the governments of________.
“Draft declaration4
“The government of _______ desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific and convinced that the situation calls for them to be prepared for the exercise in this area of the inherent right of collective self-defense, recognized by article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, have decided to set up immediately in _______ an interim council or committee (working committee) to prepare early recommendations for the conclusion (on the question) of a collective defense agreement for Southeast Asia and the southwest Pacific.”
End text.5
- Dated July 17, p. 1410.↩
- Telegram Secto 649, July 18, p. 1439.↩
- The original text of the message from Foreign Secretary Eden to the governments of the five Colombo Powers, Australia, and New Zealand, July 18, is filed in 751G.00/7–1854.↩
- Annex B to Foreign Secretary Eden‘s draft. Titled “Draft Declaration of Intention on Collective Defence.”↩
- Annex A to the draft was as follows: “Possible points for inclusion in a Declaration of Support for an agreement on Indo-China. 1. Note (or approve or welcome or support) Geneva settlement. 2. Desire to contribute to consolidation of peace in the area. 3. Undertake to treat violation of Indo-China settlement as a threat to international peace and security. 4. Resolve to apply principles of United Nations in support of the settlement (e.g. Article 2(4) of Charter).” (751G.00/7–1854)↩