Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, East Asian Security; Cambodia; Laos, Volume XXI

134. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Thailand¹

Washington, March 1, 1957—5:13 p.m.

2975. SEATO. Bangkok’s 2571² (not repeated info addressees). Re Vietnamese request Bangkok Washington London that they be invited send observers SEATO Council Meeting and Military Advisers meeting Canberra Department believes inadvisable press matter at this time. Canadians have made strong representations here regarding repercussions ICC any official invitation to Vietnamese attend SEATO meeting any capacity. Vietnamese approach Washington made at low level by phone therefore feel Vietnamese Ambassador Bangkok over-emphasized importance attached by his government this suggestion. In reply informal request here Vietnamese Embassy told US could not unilaterally extend invitation and not usual practice observers attend SEATO meetings. Furthermore, Department questions whether sufficient time obtain concurrences all SEATO powers.

In view possible ICC repercussions and anticipated French British New Zealand and possibly Australian Government negative reaction because their membership Geneva Conference or Commonwealth ties do not believe we should support acceptance by Council Representatives. However, we should avoid giving appearance to Vietnamese we are opposed their request. Hope that British and others will take lead in politely turning down request on grounds shortness time and lack precedent observers other SEATO closed meetings.

If Australians as host Government should desire to invite not too high-level informal representative to be present Canberra during meetings we would not oppose.³

For Bangkok and Saigon

You should inform Vietnamese Ambassador and Foreign Office Saigon along following line:

While we appreciate their interest in SEATO, because of complex SEATO procedures we see little chance that on such short notice it will prove possible obtain the necessary unanimous agreement of all member governments particularly in view no precedent invite observers to closed SEATO meeting. You should also as background indicate, in past, we have had indications from some signatories Geneva Conference and ICC members that they would view with considerable concern any move of this nature at this time.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–CA/3–157. Confidential; Niact. Drafted in FE and cleared in draft with the Department of Defense. Repeated to Saigon, Canberra, London, Paris, and CINCPAC in Honolulu.
2. In telegram 2571, dated March 1, Ambassador Bishop reported learning that day from the Vietnamese Ambassador of President Diem’s wish that Vietnamese representatives participate as observers at the forthcoming SEATO Council and SEATO Military Advisers meeting in Canberra. (Ibid.)
3. A memorandum by Thomas J. Corcoran of a telephone conversation held March 1 with John Rowland, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy, indicated that the Australian Government was amenable to this proposal so long as the Vietnamese representative had no official status at the SEATO meetings. (Ibid., 790.5/3–657)