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tinuing the close cooperation established by the Representatives during the past year.

The Council considered its responsibilities in the light of Article VIII of the Treaty, which authorizes it to establish consultative relationships with other states and regional organizations. It reviewed its own position vis-a-vis other existing defense arrangements in the Pacific and considered the place of ANZUS in the development of a broader collective security system for the area. The Council affirmed its readiness to consider any measure which would strengthen the defense of the area. It unanimously concluded, however, that to attempt to enlarge its membership would not contribute directly and materially to this end.

The Council noted the fact that each of the three Governments already has other relationships and responsibilities. It recognized the important interests of other countries in the Pacific. The ANZUS Treaty is one of a number of arrangements for the furtherance of security among the nations of the area. The United States is a partner in a mutual security pact with the Philippines and has initialed such a pact with Korea. It has a Security Treaty with Japan and has defense understandings with the National Government of China in Formosa. Then again, Australia and New Zealand as members of the British Commonwealth, have the closest ties with Great Britain and the other Commonwealth nations. All these arrangements and relationships constitute together a solemn warning to any potential aggressor and represent the growing foundation for lasting peace in the Pacific.

5. COLLECTIVE DEFENSE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: Statement by Representatives of the ANZUS Governments at Their Informal Consultative Meeting, Washington, June 30, 1954 3

Today's ANZUs meeting was one in the continuing series of such meetings providing close consultation among Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, the three signatories to the ANZUS treaty.

The situation in Southeast Asia was discussed in the light of current developments, including the talks just concluded in Washington between the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Australian and New Zealand representatives expressed satisfaction with the statement by President Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill that plans for collective defense in Southeast Asia should be pressed forward. They also shared the conviction expressed

1 Treaties of Aug. 30, 1951, and Oct. 1, 1953; supra, pp. 873-875 and 897-898. 2 Treaty of Sept. 8, 1951 (supra, pp. 885-886), and statements by President Truman, June 27, 1950 (infra, p. 2486), and by President Eisenhower, Feb. 2, 1953 (infra, p. 2475).

3 Department of State Bulletin, July 12, 1954, p. 50. * Statement of June 28, 1954; supra, pp. 1705–1706.

that, if at Geneva the French Government is confronted with demands. which prevent an acceptable agreement regarding Indochina, the international situation will be seriously aggravated.

All three representatives at the ANZUS meeting agreed on the need for immediate action to bring about the early establishment of collective defense in Southeast Asia-an area in which the three participating countries are all vitally concerned.

1

6. THE ANNUAL REVIEW: Communiqué of the Fourth Meeting of the ANZUS Council, Washington, September 24, 1955 1 The ANZUS Council affords the Foreign Ministers of the three Governments the opportunity of regular, periodic consultation in regard to international and defense matters of mutual interest and concern. The over-riding objective of the ANZUS partners is to strengthen the relationships between their Governments and to seek effective means of providing for their mutual security.

At this meeting the representatives of the three Governments were glad to note that since their last meeting in 1954,2 at which they had agreed on the need for the early establishment of collective defense in Southeast Asia, the Manila Pact has been concluded. They unanimously agreed that the Manila Pact, which is history's first multilateral collective defense organization with East Asian participation, represents a further highly significant development toward sustaining and strengthening peace and security in an area of vital concern to the free world. In addition to mutual membership in ANZUS and the Manila Pact, the Ministers noted that their countries have other relationships which contribute to the development of strength and stability in the area.

The Ministers discussed at some length the developments in the world situation occurring since the last meeting of the ANZUS Council. They noted with satisfaction the efforts made at the Geneva meeting of heads of government toward reducing the causes of world tension. They expressed the hope that these preliminary steps would be followed by positive action. They were in firm agreement that world developments do not so far justify any relaxation of the efforts of the free world to maintain a posture of defensive strength.

1 Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 3, 1955, p. 534.

2 See statement of June 30, 1954; supra.

Treaty and protocol of Sept. 8, 1954; supra, pp. 912-916.

'See The Geneva Conference of Heads of Government, July 18-23, 1955 (Department of State publication 6046; 1955) and supra, pp. 111-114.

The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

[For the text of the SEATO Treaty, September 8, 1954, see supra, pp. 912-916.]

7. ESTABLISHING THE MACHINERY OF SEATO: Communiqué of the First Meeting of the SEATO Council, Bangkok, February 25, 1955 1

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the Representative of France have completed the First Meeting of the Council established by the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty. The Treaty entered into force on February 19, 1955, following the deposit of the instruments of ratification with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. The Council has held six sessions in Bangkok from February 23 to February 25 under the Chairmanship of H. R. H. Prince Wan Waithayakon, Foreign Minister of the Government of Thailand.

The Council met in circumstances which give increasing urgency to the objectives of the Treaty. The Members of the Council declared the dedication of their Governments to the purposes and principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular, they asserted their hatred of war and their determination to take all possible measures to preserve and strengthen peace. They reiterated that such military arrangements as they may make will be purely defensive, in accordance with their international obligations, and will never be used for purposes of aggression.

The Council reaffirmed the aim of their Governments, as set forth in the Pacific Charter: 3 to uphold the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples; to promote self-government and to secure the independence of all countries whose peoples desire it and are able to undertake its responsibilities; to continue to cooperate in the economic, social, and welfare fields in order to promote higher living standards, economic progress, and social well-being in this region; and to prevent or counter by appropriate means any attempt in the Treaty area to subvert their freedom or to destroy their sovereignty or territorial integrity.

Upholding the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, the Council stressed the paramount need for the maintenance in peace of the integrity and authority of freely constituted governments in the area and of the right of peoples to determine their own destiny without external interference. They, therefore, condemned not only warlike action but also those subtle forms of

1 Department of State Bulletin, Mar. 7, 1955, pp. 371-373; see also ibid., pp. 373–375.

2 Treaty of Sept. 8, 1954; supra, pp. 912-916.

3 Agreement of Sept. 8, 1954; supra, pp. 916–917.

aggression by which freedom and self-government are undermined and men's minds subverted.

This Meeting has provided the Members of the Council with an opportunity for bringing about closer ties among their own governments in achieving their common objectives and purposes under the Treaty. They believe that the Manila Treaty is already exerting a positive influence for the maintenance of peace in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific, and that the solidarity of the member nations, shown at the present meeting, will serve as an increasingly powerful deterrent against aggression. The Council recognized the continuing dangers to peace and security in the Treaty area and agreed that these threats make it imperative that the member governments take steps to strengthen the common defense.

It was recognized that subversion and infiltration constitute a serious threat to the peace and security of the area and that this demands special efforts in all aspects of the national life. The Council discussed specific attempts by elements directed from outside to subvert free institutions and governments in the Treaty area. The Council viewed these subversive activities with grave concern and was determined to help the peoples of the area to resist them. There was agreement on the need for cooperation among the member governments to assist one another in combatting the subversive activities of international Communism. The Council decided to arrange for continuing consultation and mutual assistance and to make it possible for each member government to draw upon the experience of the others in dealing with this danger. In this connection the Council received a valuable report on the Philippine experience in combatting internal dissidence, and noted the statement of the United Kingdom Delegation on the improved situation in Malaya.

The Council agreed upon the importance of implementing Article III of the Treaty which provides:

The Parties undertake to strengthen their free institutions and to cooperate with one another in the further development of economic measures, including technical assistance, designed both to promote economic progress and social wellbeing and to further the individual and collective efforts of governments toward these ends.

Arrangements were made for economic experts designated by member governments to meet periodically wherever appropriate and convenient on matters within the scope of this Article.

The members of the Council recognized that while certain economic matters such as trade, the international payments, development, investment, and sound economic progress involved a wider geographic area and desirably included cooperation with many friendly states as well as with the member states, nevertheless special economic questions arise out of the Treaty commitments of the member governments and may involve individual and cooperative steps which member states could take to resolve these questions. The economic experts designated will advise Council representatives on these measures. The first meeting of the economic experts will take place at a i early date.

The Council noted with interest the statement by the United States Delegation about the peaceful uses of atomic energy. The Council is deeply conscious of the potential contributions of atomic energy to the health and standards of living of the peoples of the member nations and welcomed the proposed discussions relating to further cooperation and assistance in the atomic energy programs directed toward achieving these benefits.

Realizing the importance to the security of Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific of the States of Cambodia, Laos, and of the free territory under the jurisdiction of the State of Viet Nam, the Council reaffirmed the determination of the member governments to support these three States in maintaining their freedom and independence as set forth in the Protocol to the Treaty.' The Council was informed of assistance which had been extended to the three States and expressed the hope that member governments would offer further assistance.

Having thus exchanged views, the members of the Council made the following arrangements to help carry out the provisions of the Treaty:

Operation of the Council

The governments will be represented on the Council by their Foreign Ministers or their designated representatives. The Council will meet at least once each year and more often when deemed necessary. It will usually meet in the Treaty area. Decisions of the Council will be taken by unanimous agreement.

Designation of Council Representatives

In order to assure close and continuing cooperation when the Council is not in session, the Council has agreed to designate Council representatives who will have their seat in Bangkok. The Council representatives will maintain continuing consultation on matters relating to the Treaty and will perform such special tasks as the Council may, from time to time, direct. They may make agreed recommendations to the Council or, when the Council is not in session, to the member governments with respect to implementation of the Treaty. Through the Council representatives the member governments may raise matters relating to the Treaty and agree on the steps to be taken in carrying out its provisions.

The Council representatives may request the member governments to designate specially qualified personnel to assist them in specific tasks. Working groups composed of such personnel may meet wherever appropriate and convenient.

The Council representatives will ensure appropriate exchange of information and close coordination of planning among such groups as may from time to time be working on projects under the Treaty. They will also make arrangements for a Secretariat to assist them,

1 Protocol of Sept. 8, 1954; supra, p. 916.

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