Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Japan, Volume XXIII, Part 1

200. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, July 12, 1957¹

Washington, July 12, 1957

SUBJECT

• The Far East

PARTICIPANTS FOR PAKISTAN:

• The Prime Minister²
• Mr. M. S. A. Baig, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
• Mr. A. Husain, Secretary of Defense

PARTICIPANTS FOR THE UNITED STATES:

• The Secretary
• The Under Secretary
• Ambassador-designate James Langley
• William M. Rountree, NEA
• Robert R. Bowie, S/P
• J. Jefferson Jones, III, SOA
• Charles D. Withers, SOA
• John M. Howison, SOA

[Here follows a brief discussion of United States policy toward China.]

Japan

The Secretary observed that the recent visit of Prime Minister Kishi had been useful. Foundations had been laid for a new and sounder relationship between Japan and the US. Heretofore the US, under the Security Treaty which the Secretary had himself negotiated, had played the predominant role in maintaining Japanese security. The Japanese had acquiesced in this situation but were now beginning to assume a more positive attitude. The US welcomed this development.³

The Secretary stated that he had not been pleased with the passivity of the Japanese. Having negotiated what had been hailed at the time as a treaty of reconciliation, the Secretary had always wished to see the Japanese assert themselves more. Now, under Kishi, more vitality was promised. US-Japanese intercourse would now be bilateral.

The Secretary explained that we had not been able to satifsy entirely the Japanese request for Okinawa. We had recognized it as belonging ultimately to the Japanese, although while present world tensions continued we were unable to abandon our rights there.

Mr. Suhrawardy asked whether the question of retaining bases in Japan had been discussed. The Secretary responded that the question had been one of reducing forces rather than withdrawing from bases. He believed Mr. Kishi, who had not urged that all US forces be withdrawn, was satisfied with our position. A bilateral commission was being established which would henceforth confirm the disposition of US troops on Japanese soil.

[Here follows discussion of developments in Thailand.]

1. Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199. Secret. Drafted by John M. Howison.
2. Husein Shaheed Suhrawardy.
3. In a memorandum to Reinhardt dated June 26, Joseph N. Greene, Jr., Deputy Director of the Executive Secretariat, stated that Dulles had asked that Reinhardt coordinate followup actions arising from the Kishi visit. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.94/7–557) See Document 208.