86. Telegram From the Delegation at the SEATO Council Meeting to the Department of State1
Secto 9. First Session Morning March 6—Closed Session.
The chairman recommended as first order business approval provisional agenda. UK pointed out that under Item 5 (classified report)2 certain items bracketed. Suggested council representatives meet immediately with view eliminating brackets. This agreed and council representatives met.
Asked for further comment on agenda, Pakistan delegate stated his government had requested inclusion of statements by Soviet leaders as specific item in agenda but in deference to others had not insisted. He stated Pakistan would discuss this matter under Item 4 (exchange of views on matters affecting the area).
The Secretary suggested preparation final communiqué should be included and suggested representatives each delegation meet following morning session seventh to prepare draft communiqué. Chairman stated he envisioned daily communiqués. It was agreed to issue daily and final communiqués as suggested.
Australian Foreign Minister stated willing to forego speaking first if Chairman wished to establish order of speaking other than alphabetical. Chairman suggested reverse alphabetical order and Secretary spoke first. There follows summary Secretary’s statement:
There have been recent significant changes in policies and practices of Soviet Union and to a lesser extent of Communist China. The evidence of twentieth Communist Party Congress showed certain changes being produced including: (1) Collective leadership; (2) greater semblance of tolerance with less emphasis on violence; (3) disposition to make alliances from which Soviets previously remained aloof.
Reasons for leadership probably due to lack of any single man standing out above all others. Change of emphasis re violence and threat of war due to cohesion and strength of free world. Previous policy of threat produced diminishing returns. Unity and cohesion of free nations proved threats of violence were unproductive for Soviets [Page 184] As result chances of war reduced. Further factor was economic collapse of free nations anticipated by Soviet leaders did not materialize and instead there has been steadily increasing economic progress.
These developments not coupled with any diminution of military preparation by Soviets. New five-year plan emphasizes heavy industry and the production of aggressive instruments of war such as guided missiles and submarines. In these circumstances free nations cannot forego necessity of keeping up military strength. If in future it appears to Soviets that violence will work to their advantage they will have no hesitation use it.
New Soviet methods include: (1) Economic penetrations; (2) attempts to turn free nations against themselves by stirring up old controversies and arousing hatred among free peoples; and (3) massive sale of arms in the Near East.
One possible result of these new techniques will be to create within Soviet Union an increased demand for tolerance. Little chance of this in immediate future but there might be such result in decade or generation. In foreign policy Soviets still trying to promote eventual victory of their brand of life throughout the world. New Soviet tactics not due to change of purpose but because of hope they will be more successful.
Secretary here cited historic example—the fall of Troy—and warned of Trojan horse tactic. He warned of danger of being lulled into complacency.
In Soviet state there is no genuine independence. All Communist states are for practical purposes in colonial status. Road to becoming a Communist state is one-way. There is no return as evidenced by case of Germany. Flow of refugees from East to West Germany at rising rate and other factors indicate East Germans would vote selves out of communism if given chance. Cited denial intellectual, religious, labor freedom. WFTU effective propaganda instrument, although no free labor, no collective bargaining, no means of obtaining better hours, wages or working conditions exists. Soviet monuments of heavy industry produced by slave labor.
Successful resistance to possible attack depends on local capacity to resist, backed by outside mobile striking power. Successful resistance to Soviet aggression and subversion also require economic and social action. To strike balance between military effort and economic effort very difficult. Necessity for substantial military establishment and striking power apparent. Economic and social ills can prove as dangerous as military attack. Economic health in free world is vital to peace. We try to strike right balance. During past two years US has allocated economic aid to three Asian members of SEATO of about $300 million. This is an increase of almost four-fold over the two [Page 185] previous years. In addition, during the same period we have provided over $230 million in aid to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This great increase in aid to SEATO countries that have assumed additional burdens, while aid to other countries remained at same level previous years, shows special consideration for countries which are our allies.
Although danger of war is now less this must not be a reason for complacency.
US prepared to give our full support militarily and materially so we may achieve the goals set forth in the Treaty and Pacific Charter.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–KA/3–756. Confidential. Repeated to London, Paris, Wellington, Canberra, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, and Moscow. The U.S. Verbatim Minutes of this session, USVerb/1, March 6, are Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 659.↩
- Report of the Council Representatives to the Council, dated March 1956 and designated SCR(56)/REP–C, not printed. An undated Addendum, designated SCM/K. 56/D 2, not printed, notes the changes agreed upon by the Council in the course of the meeting. (Ibid., CF 666) For a brief summary of part of the report, see footnote 2, Document 91.↩