S.E.A.T.O.’s Work During Year Reviewed

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 12

S.E.A.T.O.’s Work During Year Reviewed

Member governments of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation are considering ways in which they may further promote co-operation in the fields of economic and social development within the region—one of the basic objectives of the Manila Treaty, says a review of S.E.A.T.O.’s work during 1964.

“Ten years ago 5.E.A.T.0.! was established to prevent South-east Asia from being overtaken by Communist expansion,” says the review. “This Communist expansion has been felt and experienced by South-east Asia for many years, and Communist aggressive forces driving toward the border of Thailand in 1954 and their threats elsewhere made it evident that a collective defence system was essential. “S.E.A.T.O. was the result, created as a shield against! the push of the Communist forces southward. “The S.E.A.T.O. Treaty, which was signed by Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France and the United States, emphasises two aspects of defence of the South-east Asia region—military power to discourage aggression and economic strength to promote the welfare cf the people“During 1964, two of a series of military defence exercises were held to obtain co-ordina-tion in combined action,” the review says. “A tactical manoeuvre was held in Thailand with the armed forces of five nations participating, and in the Philippines, a large-scale sea, land and air test of S.E.A.T.O.’s deterrent force was carried out. “Economic strength continued to be encouraged and helped by the member nations of 5.E.A.T.0., both individually and through twocountry and multi-country assistance programmes. In education and in medical research particularly, S.E.A.T.O. has done much to help the welfare of the people of South-east Asia- Educational activities cover a broad range, from skilled labour training and adult education in community development programmes, to the S.E.A.T.O. graduate school of engineering and the cultural programmes, which provides scholarships, fellowships, and exchange professorships.

“The two S.E.A.T.O. skilled labour schools in Pakistan are now in operation, the second of them taking its first pupils in February of 1964. Designed to meet the demands of developing industries, these schools have proved popular with young men, and there are waiting lists for admission and for graduates at both places. “In Thailand 5700 students were enrolled in 1964 at the S.E.A.T.O. skilled labour schools. These schools, which were begun in 1960, have adequately shown their effectiveness in supplying

. 1 qualified people for the : expanding labour market. ; The S.E.A.T.O. graduate school of engineering, estab- . lished in 1959, meets an i urgent need for trained I engineers in South-east Asia, and has achieved recognition ■ as an outstanding institution >in its field. In 1964, 160 i students applied for entrance, : of whom only 57 were able to i be admitted. The total num- . ber of students including second-year students was 90. ! A new major subject in public health engineering was added to the established set . of courses at the school, . which includes hydraulic, • structural and transportation : engineering. The teaching ■ staff consists of leading 1 engineers of the member ! countries. “In the medical field, ; S.E-A.T.O.’s laboratories have : reported achievements in ’ identifying and combating regional diseases. The 1 S.E.A.T.O. general medical ' research laboratory in Bang- ’ kok is studying a wide variety ' of disease problems, including J hemorrhagic fever, liver ‘ fluke, malaria, scrub typhus, ■ anthrax, leptospirosis, , trichinosis, kidney and ’ bladder stones, and enteric ■ infections.

! ■ “A logical outcome of this . laboratory,” said the review, ! “was the S.E.A.T.O. clinical - research centre, which was i begun in September, 1964, 1 and which will have depart- , ments of clinical pathology, i medical studies, radiology, i and nuclear medicine. 1 “In Pakistan, the S.E.A.T.O. i cholera laboratory is continuing its investigation of , this disease, both by clinical ’ research and study of the ’ homes and countryside where . it is found. A team of ’ anthropologists is studying the habit patterns, way of ' living, and methods of sanitaj tion of the people in cholera , areas, while medical experts ; are seeking improved ; methods of cholera treatment. “The South-east Asia Treaty , Organisation has continued i its programme of promoting i cultural interchange among : member Three proi fessorships are supported: [ geology at the University of . Peshawar in Pakistan, r agricultural economics at the , University of the Philippines, • and organic chemistry at the University of Medical ’ Sciences in Bangkok, ThaiJ land. Fellowships and undergraduate and graduate ■ scholarships are also awarded.”