790.5/11–1354: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Philippines1
1745. Evening Nov. 12 Secretary held informal dinner Blair House representatives signatories of Manila Treaty. Following dinner there was informal conversation on personal basis regarding follow-up of Manila meeting. Prince Wan suggested preliminary meeting all Council members in Bangkok in January even if ratifications not complete. This would not be meeting of Council which could only be convened after Treaty entered into effect but would be at Foreign Minister level. Purpose of meeting would be to discuss and agree on how Treaty would be implemented, particularly Article IV, paragraph 2, re subversion which all recognized of great importance. Secretary outlined his conversations with Senate leaders and Foreign Relations Committee re ratification and noted they had no objection to suggestions made by several signatories for quick follow-up Manila meeting. Emphasizing strictly informal nature this discussion at social gathering, Secretary suggested it be interesting to hear reactions to suggestions made for January meeting in Bangkok.
Australian, Philippine, New Zealand and Thai representatives agreed and emphasized necessity for immediate steps to make treaty visible reality in Asia. They stressed danger of subversion and necessity working out plans meet it. They agreed with New Zealand’s suggestion for setting up working party in Washington prepare for preliminary meeting Bangkok and for anti-subversive program.
Pakistan Ambassador took no position re January meeting or working party and merely noted new government had not had time take up ratification but opinion in Pakistan not against treaty. French representative took similar line re French Government attitude.
UK Ambassador only representative to take negative view towards January meeting or working party. In his opinion council should not meet until majority of signatories had ratified treaty.2
[Page 965]Above is for your information. Department intends follow up informal dinner conversation with suggestions Washington representatives query their governments for more official response re January meeting Bangkok and working group. US position strongly favors meeting at Bangkok and establishment of working group in Washington to undertake necessary preparations.
- Repeated to Bangkok, Karachi, Canberra, Wellington, London, and Paris.↩
In telegram 2363 from London, Nov. 16, the Embassy reported:
“British Embassy has been instructed inform Department Eden in favor of January meeting in Bangkok but reluctant to commit himself to going personally and would prefer meeting be in nature of working party of Ambassadors or equivalent. Eden suggests preliminary tripartite discussions in Washington in order assure community of view on such problems as Indochina prior to Bangkok meeting of all signatories; perhaps presence of Mendes in Washington would afford appropriate opportunity for such discussions.” (790.5/11–1654)
Record of the British Embassy’s representations in this matter at this time has not been found in Department of State files.
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