1. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Japan2

1333. Sebald asked Ambassador Iguchi come in receive Department’s comments Yoshida proposal “high command” Southeast Asia to seize anti-communist propaganda offensive.3 Sebald said we greatly appreciate Japanese interest concerting with US and other nations this purpose but believe proposal would conflict Manila Pact. Suggested informal high-level bilateral consultative body Tokyo already proposed by US might serve similar purpose more effectively.

Iguchi said mid-December UK has responded Yoshida proposal by suggesting trilateral or quadrilateral (including France) consultative body Tokyo to exchange information re Communist activities and [Page 2] perhaps develop plans counter them. Sebald said initiative might be left Japanese Foreign Office develop this idea further.4 Memo conversation5 pouched.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/1–455. Confidential. Drafted and approved in NA.
  2. See the U.S. summary minutes of a meeting held November 9, 1954, and McClurkin’s memorandum of a conversation held December 30, 1954, both in Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. XIV, Part 2, pp. 1779 and 1816, respectively.
  3. Further documentation on this subject has not been found in Department of State files.
  4. Not found.