OPENING OF SEVENTEENTH SEATO COUNCIL MEETING
Speech by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. William McMahon
M. P. 27 June, 1972.
Gentlemen: I welcome you as distinguished delegates to the 17th meeting
of the Council of the South East Asia Treaty Organisation.
Although we are in the depths of winter here in Canberra, I assure
you that our welcome to delegates and their wives, and staff, is
a warm and sincere one. I particularly want to welcome General
Vargas, the retiring Secretary-General. We have known him as a
dynamic and energetic personality. I know, as a former delegate
and so does anyone else who has been connected with SEATO that in
the rugged tenacity and strength of purpose of General Vargas, SEATO
has no greater champion.
The South East Asian Treaty Organisation has occupied an
important position in the affairs of the South East Asian region
since its formation in 1954. Notwithstanding the many changes since
that time, it still has a meaningful role to play so long as
external threats remain to the peace and security of member and
protocol states, the continuing importance of the Manila Treaty
remains self-evident.
That Treaty has contributed to the stability of the region
for almost eighteen years and the Organisation has provided the
machinery for co-operation between member countries. Neither should
we forget that because of its obvious security value to regional
members and protocol states SEATO also contributes to regional
confidence. While the Trcaty and the organisation retain their
value and relevance and they do, despite the critics my
Government will continue to support and sustain the Organisation.
The presence here of the distinguished regional representatives
of Thailand, The Philippines and the Popublic of Vietnam and of the
distinquished representative of Britain, New Zealand, and the
United States, is also clear evidence of the importance these
Governments continue to attach to SEATO.
One has only to recall, that as recently as February of this
year, President Nixon reported to the United States Congress that
the Manila Treaty had made " a valued contribution to peace", and
that the Treaty had been and *'-4, ill be honoured".
W 3.
During my visit, I was very much heartened by the trend towards
closer co-operation among these countries. I was very heartened
by the goodwill and friendliness I found there towards my own
country, and I can assure you they know we are anxious to assist
them with their very real problems. It is interesting to recall that
the Manila Treaty represented one of the earliest examples of
regional co-operation.
It is a sign of the times that the links which bind the
countries of South East Asia are being progressively strengthened,
by increased contacts and exchanges, and through co-operation in an
increasing variety of regional organisations and arrangements.
It is my wish that your deliberations at this Council meeting
should be successful, and that they will contribute further to
regional co-operation, progress and security.