TALKS BEGIN AT BANGKOK

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27592, 24 February 1955, Page 13

TALKS BEGIN AT BANGKOK

N.Z. Asian Policy Outlined (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) BANGKOK, February 23. The eight S.E.A.T.O. Powers met in council for the first time today to forge weapons for keeping communism out of the rich tropical territory of Southeast Asia.

Delegates centred their attention on two main topics the setting up of a military force for South-east Asia and economic help for countries threatened by Communist infiltration

In his opening address, Siam’s Prime Minister (FieldMarshal Pibul Songgram) said the conference aimed at winning peace, freedom, and political stability for South-east Asia, and at improving the living conditions and culture of the area. The Foreign Minister of Siam (Prince Wan) was unanimously elected chairman of the council meeting on the proposal of New Zealand’s Minister of External Affairs (Mr T. L. Macdonald).

In his opening address, Mr Macdonald said: “New Zealand wishes to make clear her concern for the security and wellbeing of the peoples and States of the South-east Asian area, and as a Pacific country, New Zealand cannot fail to take a vital interest in the future of South-east Asia.”

Mr Macdonald said the conference was particularly important because it marked the first meeting of the Council of Ministers established by the South-east Asia Collective Defence Treaty. “Ratification of the treaty by all eight countries which took part in the Manila conference is a welcome indication of their firm and continuing resolution in the cause of freedom,” Mr Macdonald continued. “At this first meeting of the council we shall be giving form and life to the organisation which we agreed at Manila to establish.”

By her adherence to the Manila Treaty and by her participation in the work of the organisation, New Zealand wished to make clear her concern about the area. “Together with other countries, New Zealand is a member of the Colombo Plan, which seeks through capital aid and technical assistance to promote the economic development of countries in this area,” said Mr Macdonald. “We believe that the Colombo Plan has proved both rewarding and fruitful. But the problems we face in South-east Asia today are unfortunately not solely those of economic and social development. “Firm Beoolve” “We are faced also with a grave and ever-present danger from the expansionist ambitions of the new Communist imperialism, which is seeking to dominate the world. “It was to meet this danger that our eight countries agreed at Manila to sign the South-east Asia Collective Defence Treaty and thereby to make clear to all the world our firm resolve to resist aggression.” Mr Macdonald said he was confident that the first meeting of the council, and subsequent meetings, would confirm his belief that one of the real values of S.E.A.T.O. was the spirit of mutual co-operation and friendliness with which their eight countries were preparing to deal-with their common problem. “This meeting of the council will naturally give some attention to measures required for the strengthening of the economies of the countries of the area. Economic development and social progress are important elements in maintaining free orders of society,” he said. “Although my country is small in size, we in New Zealand attach the greatest importance to the special needs of the Asian countries for economic aid and technical assistance.

“Particularly in this latter field, New Zealand has attempted to give as much help and encouragement as is possible. We can assure the Asian members of S.E.A.T.O. that we will endeavour to play our part in making our organisation a real working partnership between East and West. “The Manila Treaty also acknowledges the increasing danger which we face from Communist infiltration and subversion. Indeed, this danger may well prove greater in the immediate future than that from open Communist aggression. The countries of South-East Asia have already acquired dearly-bought experience of the subtle techniques of Communist subversion from within. We shall consider how we can help each other to meet this danger. “Finally, this meeting of the council* and the results which will flow from its deliberations should help to prove to any who may doubt that our group of eight nations is not some exclusive society. Our purpose is a simple one, namely, through our joint efforts to develop our capacity to resist aggression. That purpose is surely shared by all free men. It is my hope and my belief that the achievements of this organisation will lead the other countries of South-east Asia to join us in our efforts to preserve the security of the area,” Mr Macdonald said.