Office of the Historian

20. Telegram From the Consulate General in Geneva to the Department of State1

Geneva, October 15, 1958—3 p.m.

386. From Dillon.2 Re Deptel 504.3 Feel substance President’s speech outlined reftel is satisfactory as far as it goes, although would prefer no reference in President’s speech to specific year 1959. If practicable would recommend additional point which could well be key item of speech as far as Colombo Plan countries concerned. This would be statement that US prepared work closely with Colombo Plan and designate substantially greater portions of our aid as Colombo Plan assistance. This would serve reduce pressures from Japan for creation special Southeast Asia regional development institution and [Page 59] would I think be generally welcomed by countries of area. At same time it would allow us continue our bilateral programs while giving us means of coordinating them more closely with UK and Canadian assistance.4

Villard
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 890.00/10–1558. Confidential.↩
  2. Under Secretary Dillon left Washington on September 19 to study the Mutual Security Program and economic problems in 11 nations.↩
  3. In telegram 504, October 14, the Department sent Dillon a summary of the President’s speech scheduled for delivery at the Colombo Plan meeting in Seattle on November 10. The draft listed steps the United States was prepared to take in 1959, emphasizing a substantial increase in DLF financing. (Department of State, Central Files, 890.00/10–1458)↩

  4. Dillon’s proposal was not reflected in the speech as delivered. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, December 1, 1958, p. 853. In Dulte 4 from Seattle, November 10, marked “Eyes Only Acting Secretary for President from Secretary,” Dulles noted that the President’s appearance “will assure this meeting being highly regarded throughout all of free Asia.” (Department of State, Central Files, 890.00/11–1058)

    Remarks by Secretary Dulles, November 10, and a statement by Under Secretary Dillon, November 12, are printed in Department of State Bulletin, December 1, 1958, p. 857 and p. 858, respectively. The communiqué issued at the close of the Seattle meeting is ibid., p. 860. The Official and Classified Reports of the U.S. Delegation are attached to a note dated January 21, 1959, from Reinhardt to the Division of Records Management. (Department of State, Central Files, 890.00/11–1358)

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