Office of the Historian

92. Telegram From the Delegation at the SEATO Council Meeting to the Department of State1

Karachi, March 8, 1956—7 a.m.

Secto 17. Department pass information CINCPAC. Fourth session—afternoon March 7 closed session.

Australian Foreign Minister announced his government prepared provide quasi-military aid in form such items trucks, radio equipment [Page 199] medical equipment, earth moving machinery, clothing, boots et cetera and training for NCSO’s junior officers and police in schools in Australia. Such aid would be negotiated on bilateral basis and extended to Asian member countries and to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos if not in violation Geneva Agreement (Casey told Secretary privately most of this would probably go to Pakistan as United States already provided adequate aid Thailand and Philippines).

Philippines, Pakistan and Thai delegates expressed their gratitude for Australia’s offer.

Re proposals made at morning session was announced Council Representatives had recommended:

(1)
That Thai proposal for economic officer on Secretariat Staff be accepted. Proposal was accepted and at request of Thais it was decided officer would be in addition to five Secretariat officers already planned.
(2)
New Zealand’s proposal re relationship between military advisors and Council Representatives be taken up under agenda item 6 on March 8.
(3)
British proposal re PRO and directive public relations policy deferred until March 8.
(4)
Philippine proposal re strengthening organization to be referred to Council Representatives who will study and make recommendations member governments.
(5)
French proposals on economic matters to be referred to Council Representatives for study and recommendation.

All recommendations made in classified report, part III, A to E, accepted.2 Recommendation part III F, common budget approved in principle but question of amount for first year. Council agreed consider further March 8 on basis memorandum to be submitted by United Kingdom3 re more exact and substantiated estimate which Council Representatives would be expected provide.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files, Lot 62 D 181, CF 680. Confidential. Repeated to London, Paris, Canberra, Wellington, Bangkok, and Manila.↩
  2. These are the recommendations summarized in footnote 2, supra.↩
  3. Not found in Department of State files.↩