FORMAL OPENING OF SEATO CONFERENCE BY THE RT HON HAROLD HO. ' MP',
PRIME MINISTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA/
27TH JUNE, 1966 1MB
Mr. Prime Minister, Your Excellencies, Ladies an
Gentlemen: It is an honour for me to be asked to open the 1966 SEATO
Conference. I extend a warm welcome to you all on behalf of the
Australian Government and people. This welcome embraces not
only the Foreign Ministers and Delegations of countries with
which we enjoy close and constructive relations both in SEATO
and outside of it, but also the distinguished Secretary-General,
General Vargas, and staff of the Organisation.
Australia has become more conscious in recent times that,
through geography, trade and circumstance, we are increasingly
part of the Asian scene. Australia has good cause to value
the existence of SEATO. It has been a solid pillar of security
for us. We have honoured our own commitments to our colleagues
of the Organisation, and we are grateful for the suipport given
to SEATO's purposes by those members of the Organisation who have
made much more massive contributions.
There has been much talk of a " Domino Theory" in Asia,
This propounds the view that if one country of South East Asia
succumbs to Communist aggression, the others will topple in turn.
We can claim, from its achievements, that SEATO has successfully
applied the Domino Theory in reverse. We, and others of the area,
have lived more securely: we have been able to plan more confidently
for an expanding future. We have done so encouraged by
the fact that SEATO provides a shield of protection and a means
of constructive collaboration.
The Asian countries of SEATO have been able to build
their defences and strengthen their economies. The year under
review provides further heartening proof to that supplied in
other recent years that those countries of Asia under Communist
threat can with outside help supplementing their own efforts
meet that challenge and proceed to prosperous economic growth.
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We can point to countries of the region, some of them members of
this Organisation, which have recorded notable gains of economic
and social progress and are now advancing to new levels of
achievement in an environment of stability. To those of us who
live in the area there is inspiration in the visible evidences
of improvement and progress. Some countries that I have visited
recently seem transformed against my recollections of them in
earlier years. What is also heartening has been the emergence of positive
and constructive attitudes to international instrumentalities
for economic co-operation. Although National sovereignty has
only been attained by some within the last twenty years, they
display a commendable readiness to work with others and create
the institutions for co-operation. The newly-constituted Asian
and Pacific Council and the Asian Development Bank are welcome
examples.
We have welcomed also the generous undertaking by the United States
to make a Billion Dollar contribution towards economic development
in South East Asia. Developments such as these reflect a spirit
of hope more widely felt throughout the region.
Even in the heat of Military contest in South Vietnam,
there are practical programmes being evolved for better times
ahead. There is the ferment of change in Asia to-day. The restlessness
and turbulence give rise to the more dramatic episodes
which are widely publicised. But these are only aspects of
dynamic forces, some of them much more favourable, shaping
dramatic movements in human affairs affecting the whole world. / 3
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SEATO has its critics, and, of course, it has its imperfections,
but the fact is that since its formation, it has held
Communism at bay. From South Vietnam, one of the SEATO
Protocol States, where the thrust of aggression has been
fiercest, we are now receiving much more hopeful reports. But
while we have strengthened the foundations of our security,
the need for SEATO is as strong as ever.
No region to-day contains greater dangers for world peace and
security than Asia. South East Asia has been singled out by
the Communists as a critical area of challenge. They believe
that if their technique of so-called " Wars of National
Liberation" can succeed in South Vietnam, it can be employed
with similar success in many other countries.
Why did the SEATO Treaty come into existence? It was
designed to enable its member countries to combine together to
counter the Communist threat in Asia. It was built on the
reality that, left to themselves, the countries of the area would
fall to Communist pressures. It recognises that these pressures
can take many forms. They vary in intensity: they require a
variety of responses.
Thanks to SEATO, the Governments of member countries can expect
assistance not only when declared conventional Military attack
occurs across their frontiers, but they can also look for
assistance when their authority and administration are under
assault from those familiar Communist instruments subversion
and Guerilla warfare. / 4
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Communist aggression in South East Asia follows what
has become a clear pattern. It usually begins covertly.
There is long underground preparation. This includes
political indoctrination, the training of cadres and the
build-up of secret sources of supply. The initial threats
are indirect. They are concealed and they mature slowly.
The response made by the SEATO Allies must, therefore,
be carefully devised. There must be armed strength, of
course, but we cannot win an enduring victory by military
means alone. There is the battle to be won for the people's
support, and to win this there must be political, social,
administrative and economic measures acceptable to them.
On my recent visit to South-East Asia, it was of
special interest to me to discover how earnestly the positive
constructive tasks directed to a better way of life in the
community were being promoted. Whether in South Vietnam,
Malaysia or Thailand, I found that the Government concerned
had turned its attention to this need for a positive,
constructive programme of civic action and rural development.
It is to be found to a growing extent among the programmes
of the miflitary forces. Our own Australian forces, wherever
situated, gave a high priority to their activities in this
field. No doubt we have a long way to go, but the processes
are under way.
A notable feature of SEATO is that each member
country retains its freedom of action about how best it can
make a contribution. This flexibility is important because
the problems we face are neither simple nor clear-cut.
Successive Communist challenges in Asia
have failed. They have been met by the military
strength of the government under attack. It has been
supported by the military forces, logistical backing
and economic strength of its partners, and of other
friendly forces also.
The major challenge of Communism in Asia
today is directed to South Vietnam. But it has met
growing and determined strength of resistance.
SEATO is not merely an instrument for military
security. Its purposes include the advancement of
all in the region it serves. It is well constituted
to help by practical assistance and friendly guidance.
SEATO has enabled us to exercise strength
through combination. This has greatly helped the smaller
powers to devote more of their resources to economic
growth. Australia, in common with some other members
of the Organisation, has major problems of development,
as well as those of defence. Left to ourselves, we
would be overburdened and crippled with security costs. The
existence of SEATO and other security arrangements ensures
that members most directly threatened, and who are the
least able to afford large military establishments, will
neither perish nor impoverish themselves.
The wisdom, ability and experience assembled
here should enable this conference to advance most usefully
the purposes of the Organisation.
The ultimate answer to Communism must be found in
the minds of the people. They must feel convinced that
life has meaning, promise and better standards for them.
We who oppose Communism must be more than anti-Communist.
/ 6.
We must demonstrate the false attractions of Communist
ideology and expose its techniques of human manipulation.
But we must stand together for the satisfaction of decent
human aspirations and the precious enjoyment of individual
liberty. Your SEATO labours of today will do much to shape
the Asia of tomorrow. I wish you fruitful and successful
meetings. I declare the conference open: