Communism In Thailand Opposed By S.E.A.T.O.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 17

Communism In Thailand Opposed By S.E.A.T.O.

GV.Z. Press Association— Copyright! CANBERRA, June 28. Members of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation today threw their weight behind a stepped-up campaign against Communist insurgents in north-eastern Thailand.

Proposed new civilian and military measures outlined today by the S.E.A.T.O. secretary-general, Lieuten-ant-General Jesus Vargus, were “very well supported” at the organisation’s council meeting in Canberra, the S.E.A.T.O. secretariat spokesman said.

General Vargas’s aim was to remove the cause of discontent in whi c h Communism thrived. The spokesman said General Vargas made no specific proposals, but had sought general approval for increased civilian and military measures against Communist activities. The spokesman briefed reporters after the second closed session of the S.E.A.T.O. Council, the organisation’s highest policy-making body. Later today, the council went into restricted session, reports of which will not be released to the press. Bigger Budget The spokesman said a budget for increased military and civil spending had been generally supported by members in principle. Besides this, member countries could be asked to make separate con-j tributions outside the I S.E.A.T.O. framework. The spokesman said the Thailand problem was a' pressing one. “The Thais are moving rapidly, but time is of the essence,” he said. Today’s second session began several minutes late because of the late arrival of the British Foreign Secretary (Mr Michael Stewart), and the United States Secretary of State (Mr Dean Rusk), who conferred privately for 45 minutes shortly after breakfast. U.S. Commitment

Mr Rusk twice told the meeting that the United States commitment to Thailand was just as strong as that to Vietnam, and would continue to be so, the secretariat spokesman said. The Australian External Affairs Minister (Mr Paul Hasluck), described the Communist insurgency in Thailand as another attempt to interfere with legitimate government in the region. More steps must be taken th counter the Communist campaign, he said, according to the spokesman.

Asked what steps Mr Hasluck mentioned, the spokesman declined to elaborate. Mr Stewart said during his address that China, deterred by S.E.A.T.O. from overt aggression against S.E.A.T.O. I member countries, now pre- . ferred to manipulate local . movements in its own interests and to eliminate 1 those of Western nations, a t conference source said. S.E.A.T.O. should promote ■ indigenous strength in the ■ area through economic and • technical aid. N.Z. Concern 1 The New Zealand Prime ; Minister (Mr Holyoake), ex- ' pressed concern at open threats made against Thailand, and at attempts to encourage a subversive movement in the ■ north. I He paid tribute to the Thai ■ Government’s energy and skill ! in dealing With “this potential . source of trouble.” • The Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary (Mr Narciso ! I Ramos), pledged continued [support of S.E.A.T.O. and said,; ‘.that in spite of recent develop-j 1 ments that should lead to stab-i ility and progress in the area, 1

there were still some serious problems to be resolved. Mr Ramos echoed the words of other delegates when he said' he would like to see a settlement in Vietnam but that this was prevented by the intransigence of the North Vietnamese and Chinese, the secretariat spokesman said. U.K. Support Mr Stewart restated Britain’s support of allied policy in Vietnam although it would not commit troops there be-

> cause of its position as cochairman of the Geneva con- > ference on Indo-China, confer- ! ence sources said. i He said Britain would rnaint tain its military presence east s of Suez, as outlined in the rei cent defence review, after con- : frontation ended. Britain would carefully consider redeployment of those forces from duty in the Malay--1 sian area—but he cautioned (delegates that the end of conI frontation was not yet “in -Ithe bag.”