U.K., France Cause S.E.A.T.O. Weakness’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 13

U.K., France Cause S.E.A.T.O. Weakness ’

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 8. Britain and France should be excluded from the South-east Asia Treaty Organisation, the Philippines’ Foreign Minister told a “Daily Telegraph” correspondent in Manila.

The correspondent wrote that in a “long and frank discussion” Mr Felixberto Serrano said the Laotian situation had exposed the basic weakness in S.E.A.T.O. as an instrument of security. Because of these weaknesses, he said, the Communists would be emboldened to take further action in the area. There was a strong probability that Thailand would become neutral. Even in the Philippines, neutralist ideas were still alive and “one could not tell." Mr Serrano blamed Britain and France for S.E.A.T.O.'s weakness and suggested their exclusion and the creation of a North Atlantic Treaty type of organisation in which the United States would be the predominant Power, working in close association with Australia. New Zealand and interested Asian States, the correspondent wrote. Laos had been let down from the beginning, he said. 5.E.A.T.0.. by not acting on its resolution to take action if the cease-fire failed, had further damaged the free world. “It is beginning to be the thinking in the Philippines that all Britain wants to do in this part of the world is to make a gesture of support that does not include involvement," he said. "Britain will do everything, including appeasement, to avoid becoming embroiled, because its real interests are in Europe.” France had already stated in clear terms that in the event of military action in

Laos it would not participate. the report said. If Australia would take the initiative,'the people of Asia could be provided with the means to create a N.A.T.0.like organisation.