The United States and India: a History Through Archives by Chaudhry Praveen K.;Vanduzer-Snow Marta;

Author:Chaudhry, Praveen K.;Vanduzer-Snow, Marta;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SAGE Publications India Pvt, Ltd.

Discussion

The Pakistan attitude toward SEATO will undoubtedly be much affected by its assessment of the role of the Organization (and the US) in the Laos crisis and the implications in terms of Pakistan's own security. The US position on Laos is set forth in paragraph one of the paper entitled “Review of the International Situation.”

Pakistan has contented from the inception of SEATO that committed Asian members have assumed special obligations which entitle them to preferential treatment from their wealthier allies. While acknowledging that the US has provided substantial bilateral assistance, Pakistan has frequently suggested in recent years that the US is unduly generous with the neutrals who also accept large amounts of aid from the Communists.

CONFIDENTIAL

Pakistan itself accepted no Communist aid until recently, but is now receiving Soviet assistance in oil exploration.

Pakistan's long standing doubts that the US has done right by its allies in extending aid and political support have been whetted by foams that present US policy contemplates evermore favorable treatment for neutrals as compared withal leis than in the past.

The negotiating history of the Southeast Asian Collective Defense Treaty show that Pakistan has consistently sought to establish SEATO as an additional channel for large scale economic aid. Most recently, at the March Council meeting in Bangkok, Foreign Minister Qadir proposed that SEATO help construct a highway in the Gilgit area for strategic purposes and as a first step to economic development of the area. None of the other SEATO members has shown any enthusiasm for this proposal or for any of the other projects included in a list submitted to the SEATO Committee of Economic Experts in 1957.

The United States has supported a small number of special SEATO projects. Such projects are not financed from a SEATO Combo budget, but depend on voluntary contributions for SEATO members. US support is extended through ICA channels but is supplemental to individual country programs. The US has consistently taken the position that such projects should be related to SEATO objectives, concern two or more Treaty area members, and not conflict with other established activities or agencies. Projects which emphasize some form of technical assistance have been favored as more suitable than those where the principal requirement is in terms of capital. The US is currently supporting two SEATO projects in Pakistan. One of these is a Skilled Labor Project in which the US is collaborating with Pakistan is establishing training centers in Dacca and Karachi. The other is a Cholera Research Project in Dacca. This latter project was initially proposed by the United States. Also, several Pakistani students have attended the SEATO Graduate School of Engineering in Bangkok. However, Foreign Minister Qadir suggested at the last SEATO Council meeting that it would be desirable for SEATO to help set up graduate technical schools in different specialized fields in Pakistan and the Philippines. This proposal has not been pressed and SEATO has taken no action.

CONFIDENTIAL

Drafted by: FE/SEATO Mr. Jones

Cleared by: FE/SEATO Mr. Peters

SOA Mr. Wail

NEA Mr. Talbot

NR Mr. Gannet

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