Office of the Historian

113. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, August 4, 1956, 4 p.m.1

Washington, August 4, 1956, 4 p.m.

SUBJECT

  • Directive for the Public Relations Officer of SEATO

PARTICIPANTS

  • The Secretary
  • FE—William J. Sebald, Acting Assistant Secretary
  • Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia
  • Sir Percy Spender, Australian Ambassador

The Secretary raised the question of a difficulty which has arisen among the Council representatives of SEATO, namely, that the Australian representative continues to insist that there be a written understanding that the SEATO public relations officer shall refrain from making a reference to the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons in defense of the treaty area.2 He said that we would much prefer that there be an oral understanding to this effect as we are unable to accept any written formula because of the implication of a moral stigma on nuclear weapons.

Sir Percy confirmed that this was the case, stating that the Australian position is based on the belief that there should be no misunderstanding regarding the authority of the public relations officer in this regard.

Prime Minister Menzies agreed with the Secretary and told Sir Percy to inform the Australian Government accordingly.3

  1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 729. Secret. Drafted by Sebald.↩
  2. In a talking paper prepared for this conversation on July 30, R.W. Zimmerman stated in part that the British had agreed that a written formula was unnecessary. “While the British decided to go along with us, the Australians have so far refused to agree and are demanding in the Council Representatives that the original British formula be accepted.” (Ibid., Central Files, 611.4397/8–356)↩
  3. Sebald drafted a separate memorandum, also dated August 4, of another part of this conversation. It reads:

    “The Secretary referred to a request made by the Australian Government for a bilateral agreement for cooperation regarding atomic information for mutual defense purposes. He said that we had looked into the matter and are prepared to negotiate such an agreement. Sir Percy Spender expressed his great appreciation.” (Ibid., 611.4397/8–456)

    The agreement between the United States and Australia for cooperation regarding atomic information for mutual defense purposes was signed at Washington on July 12, 1957. For text, see 8 UST (pt. 2) 1339.

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