Rusk Warns West Against Sense Of False Security

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29818, 10 May 1962, Page 15

Rusk Warns West Against Sense Of False Security

Press Assn.—Copyright) CANBERRA, May 9. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Dean Rusk) tonight warned the free world against being lulled into a sense of false security by the apparent disagreements amongst the Communist nations.

Mr Rusk was speaking at a dinner given in his honour by the Australian Government at the end of a two-day meeting cf the AJJZ.US. Council Foreign Ministers m Canberra.

Mr Rusk said: "There may appear to be disagreements within the Communist world not only as to ideology and internal policies, but as tc the pace arid tactics of communising the rest of the world But m the short run. at least, we should be wary of drawing comfort from them Both ot the major branches of the Communist movement are intent upon “burying" us. And each seems to feel the urge to prove that its method of hastening our demise is the more effective" Definition of Coexistence

Mr Rusk said that the Soviet Prime Minister <Mr Khrushchev), tn advocating what he called "peaceful coexistence” or "peaceful competition." had made it clear that he did not mean mere competition tn product 1 -n By Mi Khrushchevs own definition, “neaeeful coexistence” w->« a programme of conflict—a design for 'Xtendfng Communist domination by all means short of a greet war. which would be self-defeating Mr Rusk said: “Let us

identify peaceful coexistence in the Communist jargon for what it is—a tactic which rests upon the assumption of inevitable victory " The Communists did not exclude the threat or even the use of force Their efforts to extend their domain Lad produced a series of crises, but where they had er. wintered, resolute resistance they had fallen back They continued to probe and where they probed 'rises r suited, Mr Rusk said “At present we are giving special retention to two areas of Communist-induced crises —Berlin and South-east Asia ’’ he said “to Berlin, we face the most direct Soviet challenge to the entire free world.” Mi Rusk said “The Western allies backed by all the NATO Powers have a most solemn obligation to protect the freedom of Wes Berlin We will not be forced, squeezed or harassed out.” “Vital Interest”

In South-east Asia too, the free world had a vital interest which Australia New Zealand, the United States, with their othe. allies in the South-east Asia Treaty Organisaion. had specif 1 obligations to protect At present two adjoining nations—Laos and Vietnam—were being subjected to ag-

gression trom the north Mr Rusk said: “We seek a united and independent Laos. We believe the interests both >f Laos and South-east Asia and the free world as a whole would be served by a neutral Laos.” Mr Rusk said. Leaders of the principal political factions within La„s had not agreed on the composition of a coalition government "I cannot honestly report that an end to this crisis is plainly in view.” Mr Rusk said. Next floor. South Vietnam was under active assault by thousands of men trained, infiltrated, in part supplied, and certainly directed from north of the 17th parallel. The Viet Minh had systematical violated the Geneva accords of 1954 since the day of their signing But they were unable to prevent South Vietnam from making remarkable economic and so' al Progress. . Mr Rusk said: "In the last several months, the United States has substanially increased its assistance to the people of South Vietnam You are helping there in significant ways, but there is more for all of us to do. “We should like to see many other free nations lend a helping hand Aggression against South-east Asia must not be allowed to stand,” Mr Rusk said.