S.E.A.T.O. Works In Other Fields

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30559, 30 September 1964, Page 16

S.E.A.T.O. Works In Other Fields

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 29. Economic and social activities undertaken by the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation members were a major part of the Administration’s work, the Secretary-General, Mr Konthi Suphamongkhon said this morning.

Under the Manila Treaty the members of S.E.A.T.O. had undertaken mutual aid in more than purely militaryfields and a great deal of emphasis and importance was placed on the economic and social advancement of the Asian member countries, he said.

Raising the standard of living was one way of combating the threat of subversion by communism. Mr Konthi did not consider the S.E.A.T.O. efforts in nommilitary fields superfluous to help that could be given through the Colombo Plan and United Nations agencies. Racial difficulties were of growing importance in Southeast Asia and fomenting trouble in that way a Communist tactic, he said. Members of S.E.A.T.O. were helping one another to combat subversion of which there was a lot of evidence in the area. Asked what S.E.A.T.O.’s •attitude would be if a state of war developed between, say, Pakistan (a member) and. India (a non-member),

Mr Konthi said the S.E.A.T.O council would meet to consider the facts of the situation.

Only then would a decision be made as to any action by the organisation. S.E.A.T.O. had no policyon the dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia, both of which were non-members. “Either of them could apply to join S.E.A.T.O. but we are not looking for members,” he said. “If we can prove to the outside nations that we can be of benefit to members with economic and social progress, others may be interested in joining. “We are not just a military organisation. That is what the Communists are trying to convince people we are.”

Mr Konthi will leave Wellington on Thursday for Wanganui and Auckland. He is having talks with the Chiefs of Staff and the External Affairs Committee as well as making calls on the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and others in Parliament Buildings.

Economic and social aid will be discussed.