SEATO Exercise “Hotting Up Cold War”

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27896, 18 February 1956, Page 9

SEATO Exercise “Hotting Up Cold War”

(Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 16. The influential “Washington Post” said today it was doubtful whether anything of great value would be gained from the current South-east Asia Pact manoeuvres based on Bangkok. “It seems to us that the convergence of air and navy units on Bangkok smacks of unnecessary provocation,’’ the paper said in a leading article. “The exercises give off the atmosphere of hotting up the cold war to which Sir Winston Churchill used to object when this kind of thing was suggested. “They all seem to imply that the challenge in South-east Asia is primarily military, whereas any current appraisal would show that Russia and China are making headway through a combination of economic and political appeal.” Pakistan and France were absent, it said. The occasion had apparently been only “nominally honoured” by Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. "Since the exercises are not planned as a combat problem, it is doubtful whether anything of great value will be gained,” the paper added. “Of one thing there is a certainty—the Red Chinese will not be intimidated by the event. “Perhaps all that is intended is an offset to the incipient neutralism which has been noted in Siam.”

A Bangkok message says 250,000 Siamese crowded Don Muang airport today as the SEATO Powers assembled troops, planes and arms for the biggest military demonstration ever seen in Siam. Foreign military observers watched as American and Siamese paratroops cascaded out of the sky in a mass airdrop while United States Marine helicopters demonstrated realistic battle formations. N.Z. Fighters Displayed The crowds gasped as British and New Zealand Venom jet fighters showed their capabilities in aerobatics. Earlier. American Marines landed from helicopters and used flamethrowers and explosive charges to show how they would attack and demolish a fortified position. Then an American Honest John rocket capable of carrying an atomic warhead, which had been flown from Japan, was demonstrated to the crowd. No Russian diplomatic observers were present, foreign diplomats said, but two correspondents of the Russian news agency, Tass. joined a host of international correspondents and closely followed the whole demonstration. The Siamese Government has declared today and tomorrow as holidays. when the SEATO forces will parade through Bangkok.

Th® . exercise, named “Operation Firm Link,” will end after the parade tomorrow. The forces will then return to Malaya, the Philippines, Japan and army camps scattered around Siam. The other element of the exercise —a joint fleet of British Commonwealth and American warships—was today anchored in Bangkok harbour. The Commonwealth ships, the British cruiser New Foundland, two Australian and two British destroyers and a New Zealand frigate, were open for public inspection. The operation was “a success beyond expectations,” the Premier (FieldMarshal Pibul Songgram) said at a press conference after the airport demonstration. “In spite of short notice the response from the SEATO members has been gratifying,” he added. “The people of Siam, turning out in such great numbers, show how they feel safe and protected by our friends. The question for them was: Would the SEATO Powers come if needed? They gave their answer. I am very happy,” he said.