Office of the Historian

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

Washington, November 6, 1957—11:05 a.m.

1218. SEATO. Following Secretary’s talks with Selwyn Lloyd and Casey2 in New York and discussion in ANZUS meeting3 (pouched) of Malayan membership SEATO, there seems to be general agreement between British, Australians, New Zealanders and ourselves on following:

1.
We would welcome Malayan membership SEATO and regard it of considerable importance to future of the organization.
2.
New Malayan Government is reluctant take up question and will probably not take any action on own initiative.
3.
Any pressure or coercion would be resented and probably unproductive.
4.
Thus formal invitation to join SEATO or even invitations to participate as observers in SEATO committees or military exercises would be premature and unwise. Exception would be cultural activities such as Round Table in January, to which a number of nonmembers invited.
5.
Best tactic for moment is to continue personal informal approaches to Malayan leaders to indicate our hope they will decide it is to their interest join SEATO, and assure them they will be most welcome.
6.
Asian members of SEATO particularly Thailand can be especially helpful in this type approach.

Believe it would be useful make presentation at November 14 Council Reps meeting along above lines both to assure that all members are aware of danger undue pressure on Malayan government and to enlist support of Asian members in type of approach which we hope will be effective.4

Department has discussed above with British, Australian and New Zealand Embassies and suggests you do same with colleagues Bangkok before Council Reps meeting to coordinate presentation.; In view special ties of Prime Minister Rahman with Thailand you should also approach Sarasin to assure full Thai support and understanding.5

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/11–657. Secret. Drafted by Abbott; cleared in C, BNA, and several offices of FE; and initialed by Robertson. Repeated to Canberra, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Paris, Wellington, Singapore, and CINCPAC in Honolulu for the Political Adviser.↩
  2. See Document 170 and footnote 3 thereto.↩
  3. See Document 171.↩
  4. In telegram 1498 from Bangkok, November 15, Ambassador Bishop stated in part: “In light my UK colleague’s instructions from Foreign Office strongly opposing further specific formal discussion Malayan membership question (Deptel 1218) have agreed not raise question separately at council representatives meeting.” (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/11–1557) Earlier, in telegram 1239 to Bangkok, November 8, the Department left the matter to Bishop’s discretion in view of the fact that the British had already raised the Malayan membership question at a previous Council Representatives meeting. (Ibid., 790.5/10–2457)↩
  5. In despatch 377 from Bangkok, November 18, Bishop enclosed a memorandum of his conversation with Sarasin held November 14, which concluded as follows:

    “He agreed to take the first suitable opportunity to impress personally and informally on Malayan leaders the desirability of eventual SEATO membership. As a matter of fact, Pote Sarasin said, Abdul Rahman when he was here last year had stated frankly and flatly that Malaya must eventually join SEATO and that SEATO is good for Malaya.” (Ibid., 790.5/11–1857)

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