61. Telegram From the Department of State to the Delegation at the SEATO Council Meeting1
3034. SEATO Ministerial Council. Paris Topol deliver Burgess 8:00 a.m. First SEATO closed session afternoon May 312 devoted to exchange views on matters affecting Treaty area. Summary follows:
Australia. Menzies spoke of common danger to SEATO members especially as represented by aggressive Chicoms growing in economic and military strength. Doubted Chicoms as sensitive to nuclear deterrent as Soviets. Believed Communist China may consider its population more expendable than do others. Said Australia had no desire become member of nuclear club but wished to contribute in any way possible to common effort in resisting outward thrust of communist aggression. Stressed importance of creating social and spiritual cohesion in Southeast Asia and paid tribute to Thanat Khoman particularly for his efforts in developing more of sense of community among free Southeast Asian nations. Said independence did not lead automatically to democracy. Believed more than one recently independent country must pass through phase of less than full democracy but all must seek ultimately self-government sufficiently broadly based to insure continuity in reaching desired goals of the people. While SEATO members have varying forms of government all share two concepts: (a) equal justice before the law and (b) respect for integrity of public administration. Stressed need for SEATO to keep before it at all times human objectives it seeks to serve, for main battles of future will be in realm of human mind and spirit.
Thailand. Thanat Khoman said recent Chicom pressures had bewildered those seeking accommodation with communists through “peaceful co-existence.” In Laos alertness and stern warnings on part SEATO and UN presence had prevented Pathet Lao insurrection directed by DRV and abetted by Chicoms from developing into full scale civil war with communist intervention. Recent events, especially [Page 188] escape of NLHX prisoners, may cause renewed fighting. In South Viet-Nam terrorist activity markedly increased. Chicoms especially following Chou visit may find facilities in Cambodia for base of actions directed against Treaty area. Very possible communists have overall plan for Southeast Asia to be implemented in near future and SEATO may find its responsibilities increasingly heavy. Thailand attempting ameliorate its difficulties with Cambodia without involving SEATO. Spoke of close and efficient cooperation with Malaya on border problems and said similar cooperation may become necessary in border area with Burma. Believed Philippine and Malay efforts toward regional association should be developed but difficulties could not be concealed.
France. Couve said in Asia communist policies dominated by Chicoms and not Soviets. Chicoms since they are at beginning of their revolution and have tremendous economic difficulties must adopt policies of strength both at home and abroad. Exact relations between Soviets and Chicoms unclear but that there are differences in respective attitudes toward outside world evident from policies toward détente. Southeast Asia situation had in some respects deteriorated since last year. In Indonesia Sukarno’s dictatorship has been strengthened by help of army without lessening strength of communist party. Laos has by no means solved problem of subversion. Recent Lao elections results “too good”. SEATO members must not lower guard but must try to help stabilize Lao situation and if possible improve it with help of UN. Viet-Nam faces task of balancing authority and liberalism, former to fight subversion and latter to gain maximum support from people. Expressed concern about Cambodia where accurate analysis not easy. Cambodia believes it is endangered by its neighbors and its acts are greatly influenced by that belief. Much evidence Cambodian authorities still distrust communists but difficult to reconcile this with closer relations recently formed with communist bloc, concerning which we should be deeply concerned. Statements by Chou on his recent visit to Cambodia would seem, while not constituting formal guarantee, in effect to have committed Communist China to defense Cambodian borders.
Philippines. Serrano3 reviewing recent events Laos stressed importance bringing countryside under government control. Believed UN presence and multi-national economic aid would help. Spoke of Indonesian and Vietnamese situations in familiar terms emphasizing communists’ objective in latter was discrediting of Diem Government. Spoke of importance to Treaty area of Indian-Chicom difficulties, saying if Nehru should retreat from his present hard line this would give green light to communist expansion not only against India but elsewhere [Page 189] in area. Philippines share concern expressed by others at growing economic and political power of Chicoms. Adequate preparedness is only answer and SEATO Asian nations need modern weapons of greater striking power. Said economic aid extended by advanced members of SEATO regrettably too meager to be of much value. Saw no desire on part of advanced members to expand such aid. Emphasized if peoples of Southeast Asia were to regard freedom worth dying for, SEATO must make it worth living for. Colombo Plan and ECAFE not effective substitutes and bilateral assistance not full answer. SEATO must play constructive economic role and Philippines will later set forth suggestions in this regard. Advocated support for informal association Southeast Asian states and applauded Thai and Malay efforts this direction.
New Zealand. Nash said several recent evidences of less than democratic procedures in several free world countries gave food for thought. In today’s world every major event affects Treaty area. Expressed regret at failure of Summit. Convinced all world leaders and their peoples desire peace. Believed on basis recent long talk with Khrushchev he is sincere in desire for relaxation of tensions. Communist China with its unlimited manpower reserves is formidable power and within next few years will have nuclear weapons. Essential Communist China be brought into agreement on disarmament. We should study more carefully our policies toward Chicoms, for longer we delay in this, greater is price we must pay. Nash said sooner or later Communist China must be recognized and seated in UN. Ostracism of Chicoms makes them arrogant, suspicious and aggressive, and leaves their distorted views uncorrected. Cannot indefinitely ignore 600 million Chinese. However Chicoms are insensitive to world and Asian opinion. Sanctions of world opinion need to be more effectively applied. We cannot base our policies on assumption of downfall of Chicom regime. Nash said race relations constituted most difficult problem today. Expressed conviction there are no superior people anywhere, only varying opportunity for development. Saw reasonable hope for stability and development in Burma. Considered Indonesia thinking too much in past and seeking external diversions instead of facing internal problems. Re West Irian believed self-government was ultimate solution and saw no reason why territory should pass from Dutch to Indonesian colonial rule. Complimented Singapore and Malaya for enlightened approach to racial problems. In Viet-Nam Diem had first done magnificent job but since 1957 situation steadily deteriorated. Great question is how we can help those we want to help when they rig elections to hold power. Expressed uneasiness re Cambodia in familiar terms. Re Laos, said communists outside Laos had doubtless assisted Pathet Lao, but we had given assistance to other (Government) side, which was at least comparable. Military preparation [Page 190] needed by free nations but in long run political, economic and social efforts provide most effective defense. We all united in objectives but methods may differ. New Zealand will speak out plainly but fully supports SEATO which helps keep peace.
Exchange of views continues tomorrow with Pakistan, UK and US speaking.
For Paris Topol: Above may be used in your discretion at NAC.
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1688. Secret. Drafted by Jenkins and marked for clearance by Johnson and Parsons and approval by Theodore C. Achilles. Also sent to Ankara, Canberra, Karachi, London, Manila, Wellington, CINCPAC for POLAD, and priority to Paris Topol. Pouched to Phnom Penh, Saigon, and Vientiane. Transcripts of this and other sessions of the Sixth Meeting of the SEATO Council are ibid., CF 1687.↩
- A report on the opening public session held the morning of May 31 is in telegram 3033 to Bangkok, May 31. (Ibid., CF 1688; included in the microfiche supplement) For text of Vice President Nixon’s welcoming address, see Department of State Bulletin, June 20, 1960, p. 983.↩
- Felixberto M. Serrano, Philippine Minister of Foreign Affairs.↩