Editorial Note
During the 197th Meeting of the National Security Council, held Thursday, May 13, 1954, the Secretary reported on the Geneva Conference and the situation in Southeast Asia. A summary of his remarks concerning a regional grouping follows:
“Secretary Dulles stated that as regards the effort to obtain the regional grouping, he was carrying on an operation with lots of scenery but not very much substance. We were having to mark time until we got the British reaction to our counter-proposal with regard to the Five-Power conference. No reply had yet come from Eden, but the hints which have reached us do not provide a good augury. Meanwhile, said Secretary Dulles, he had talked with the Ambassadors of Thailand and the Philippines. Secretary Dulles expressed the hope that Secretary Wilson’s current trip to Manila would help to produce a better feeling on the part of the Filipinos. They believe, quite erroneously, that the five powers have already begun negotiations at Singapore and that they have been deliberately left out.” (Memorandum by Gleason dated May 14; Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file)
On May 13, Ambassador Moekarto of Indonesia and Deputy Under Secretary Robert Murphy discussed, at the latter’s request, “united action” and the situation in Indochina. Record of the talk concludes as follows:
“In conclusion, Ambassador Mukarto confirmed that Indonesia would not be interested in joining a regional grouping of Asian nations at present though he thought it might be possible after elections if the Moslem parties (which would presumably win the elections) could establish some solid economic gains.
[Page 480]“During the conversation, Mr. Murphy referred to the distorted and inaccurate reports of high-level military discussion at Singapore by the UK, France and ANZUS powers. He said there had been no such talks held anywhere. He said there had long been low-level consultations among military representatives at Singapore but that these were not related to the proposal for ‘united action’ of a political-economic-military nature in the Southeast Asian area.
“In departing, Ambassador Mukarto expressed his appreciation for the opportunity for an exchange of ideas.” (Memorandum of conversation by Francis J. Galbraith, Officer in Charge of Indonesian and Pacific Island Affairs; 751G.00/5–1354)