“Co-ordination Under Way”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28531, 10 March 1958, Page 9

“Co-ordination Under Way”

(Rec. 8 p.m.) MANILA, March 8. Military advisers of the eight South-east Asia Treaty Organisation nations said today after a three-day secret meeting that coordination between S.E.A.T.O. and N.A.T.O. and the Bagdad Pact on some specific items of information was already under way. The advisers, replying to written questions submitted by correspondents, added that they had planned a progressive schedule of military exercises for S.E.A.T.O. until 1961. These would take into account the most modern weapons and techniques, including nuclear weapons. . ■

In a final communique on their meeting, the military advisers said that their discussions had included the evaluation of possible Communist aggression and subversion in the treaty area and consideration of the means to meet these threats. The communique did not mention the Indonesian situation but, answering correspondents’ questions, the military advisers said the “situation in Indonesia is a domestic affair. We are all interested, however, in having peace and stability in that area.” The advisers, from Australia, Britain, France, New Zealand. Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and the United States, would report to the S.E.A.T.O. Council of Ministers on March 11 on progress in the military field and on their consideration of plans developed by the S.E.A.T.O. Military Planning Office in Bangkok. They would hold their ninth meeting in Bangkok next September.

In replies to questions, the advisers said they did not think either a permanent command structure or integrated standing force was necessary for S.E.A.T.O at present.

They welcomed Communist China’s proposed withdrawal of troops from North Korea but said it would not in any way reduce the threat in South-east Asia.