noted with grave concern the increasing infiltration of arms and combat personnel from North Vietnam into South Vietnam and the evidence that this infiltration includes members of the regular armed forces of North Vietnam.

7. The Council heard a report from a representative of the Government of the Republic of Vietnam who attended the Closed Sessions as an Observer. The Council expressed the deep sympathy and strong friendship of the Member Governments and peoples for the Government and people of the Republic of Vietnam. It voiced admiration for the determined resistance of the Government and people of the Republic of Vietnam.

8. The Council noted that the Communists themselves have proclaimed their assault on the Republic of Vietnam to be a critical test of the tactic of infiltrating arms and trained men across national frontiers. It agreed that history shows that the tolerance of aggression increases the danger to free societies everywhere.

9. The Council reaffirmed its conclusion at Manila a year ago that the defeat of this Communist campaign is essential not only to the security of the Republic of Vietnam but to that of SouthEast Asia, and would provide convincing proof that Communist expansion by such tactics will not be permitted.(3) Member Governments recognised that the state of affairs in Vietnam, as described above, constitutes a flagrant challenge to the essential purpose for which they had associated together under the Treaty: to resist aggression.

10. The Council recalled that its members also agreed at Manila that they should remain prepared, if necessary, to take further concrete steps within their respective capabilities in fulfilment of their obligations under the Treaty. Pursuant thereto, substantial assistance and reinforcement have been given during the past year by certain Member Governments in order to assist South Vietnam in resisting aggression from the North. The Member Governments agreed to continue and, consistent with their commitments elsewhere, to increase their assistance to South Vietnam.

11. At the same time, it was agreed that every effort should be made to promote a satisfactory and lasting settlement of the conflict that would ensure the right of the South Vietnamese people to pursue their future in peace and complete freedom (3) See Vol. 167, page 532.

from external interference. The Council welcomed and expressed warm support for the policy of the United States Government as outlined by President Johnson on April 7, 1965, when he affirmed the determination of the United States to provide assistance to South Vietnam to defend its independence, stated the readiness of the United States for unconditional discussion with the Governments concerned in the search for a peaceful settlement, and offered the prospect of enriching the hopes and existence of more than 100 million people by a programme of economic and social assistance in South-East Asia.

12. The Council stated that peace could be restored to South Vietnam if the Communist aggressors would honour the Agreements of 1954 and 1962. It declared it to be self-evident that, if the aggression were ended, the Governments and peoples of both South and North Vietnam could live in peace and devote their energies to economic and social progress.

13. The Council agreed that, until the Communist aggression is brought to an end, resolute defensive action must be continued.

14. The Council expressed concern that the Geneva Agreement of 1962 continues to be violated by the presence of North Vietnamese military forces and supplies in Laos, by the activities of the Pathet Lao, and by North Vietnamese use of the territory of Laos to send men and material to the Viet Cong in South Vietnam. It regretted that the Inernational Control Commission is unable to act effectively to investigate violations in the Communist-held sections of the Kingdom where they occur. The Council expressed its support for the 1962 Geneva Agreement and for the efforts of the Government of National Union under the Prime Minister, Prince Souvanna Phouma, to preserve the sovereignty, independence, unity, territorial integrity and neutrality of Laos.

15. While appreciating the position stated in paragraphs 6 to 14, the Pakistan Delegation expressed to the Council their special concern over the consequences of the continuance of armed conflict in Vietnam and voiced the hope that determined efforts would also be made to restore peace in that area through negotiations on the basis of the existing Geneva Agreements.

16. The Council noted with concern evidence of increasing Communist subversion from outside the country against Thailand notably in the north-eastern part of the country. It noted the announcement by a clandestine radio of the establishment of a

"Thai Independence Movement" which urges the overthrow of the Government of Thailand and endorsement of the "Movement" by Radio Peking and Radio Hanoi. The Council also noted the statement of the Communist Chinese Foreign Minister that Thailand would be the next target and there there might be a guerrilla war going in Thailand before the year is out. The Council Members expressed their determination to do whatever is necessary to assist their ally to meet this threat.

17. The Council also expressed grave concern at the situation arising from Indonesia's confrontation of Malaysia as constituting a serious threat to peace in the area of South-East Asia. Certain Member Governments noted that they had provided both military forces and other aid to assist in the defence of Malaysia and it was recognised that the strength and determination of this support had contributed materially to the stability of the area. The Council expressed the hope that an honourable and secure settlement would be arrived at on a basis acceptable to the Asian nations concerned.

18. The Pakistan Delegation expressed its concern at the continuance of the Indonesian/Malaysian dispute and stressed the view that this dispute could be resolved by peaceful means, that efforts should be pursued towards that end and that nothing should be done further to aggravate the existing conflict.

19. The Council agreed that Communist subversion continued to be a serious threat to the Asian member nations. It agreed that measures envisaged, namely material and other aid at the request of the countries affected, should be continued.

20. The Council reviewed the progress of SEATO projects in the fields of economic development, medical research and cultural interchange. These projects include, among others, the SEATO Graduate School of Engineering, the Skilled Labour Projects, the Regional Community Development Technical Assistance Centre, the Thai-SEATO Vehicle Rebuild Workshop, the research fellowships, under-graduate and graduate scholarships. and professorships; and the SEATO General Medical Research Laboratory, the SEATO Cholera Research Laboratory and the SEATO Clinical Research Centre. The Council agreed that emphasis should be placed on such projects in the years ahead.

21. The Council approved the report of the Military Advisers and expressed satisfaction at the way in which the Military Planning Office continued to function.

22. The Council reaffirmed its belief that the capability and readiness of defence forces serves as a deterrent to aggression and thus contributes to peace. It stated that SEATO's military defence exercises have provided valuable experience to the armed forces of the member nations, an important asset to the Alliance should it be called upon to act to meet the common danger.

23. The Council announced that General Jesus M. Vargas of the Philippines has been appointed by the Council to serve as Secretary-General as of July 1, for a term of three years.

24. The Council expressed its appreciation to the SecretaryGeneral, Mr. Konthi Suphamongkhon, whose tour of duty is expiring. The Council placed on record its recognition of his untiring efforts in improving and strengthening the Organisation. 25. The Council expressed its warm appreciation to the staff of the Organisation for their valuable services.

26. The Council accepted with pleasure the invitation of the Government of Australia to hold its next meeting in Canberra.

27. The Council expressed its gratitude to Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom for its hospitality and for the excellent arrangements made for the meeting. The Council voted warm thanks to the Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Michael Stewart.

28. The French Observer indicated that, as he had not participated in preparing this communiqué, the French Government does not consider itself to be committed by it.

COMMUNIQUE of the North Atlantic Council Ministerial Meeting.-London, 12th May, 1965

The North Atlantic Council held its Spring Ministerial Meeting in London on May 11 and 12, 1965.

In a comprehensive survey of the international scene, the Ministers noted that so far as Europe was concerned, the situation was basically unchanged. There had been no major crisis or confrontation, and the trend towards increased contacts between East and West had continued.

Nevertheless, the fundamental causes of tension still persist, and little if any progress has been made towards removing them. Germany is still divided, and recent interferences with freedom of communication with Berlin have once again shown the dangers of this situation. In these circumstances, the Council associated itself with the declaration issued by the Governments of France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America on May 12, 1965 (which is attached as an annex to this communique).(1) At the same time, the Council confirmed the terms of its declaration of December 16, 1958, with regard to Berlin.(2)

Member states are determined to work together, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Alliance for Peace, freedom and the rule of law. They remain steady to seize any opportunity for achieving progressively a genuine improvement in relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe. The Ministers agreed on the continuing necessity within the Alliance of exchanging information and views to the greatest extent possible, and of harmonisation in the policies pursued by member countries.

The Ministers welcomed the continuing progress in political consultation within the Alliance. They observed with satisfaction that the practice had become more frequent of Ministers and high officials from capitals attending regular meetings of the Council in permanent session for discussion of subjects of special interest. They also noted that the Council in permanent session had embarked on the study of the state of the Alliance which it had been directed at the last Ministerial Meeting to undertake.(3) They instructed the permanent representatives to continue the examination of this question with a view to submitting to the Ministers suggestions which could be discussed, if appropriate, at the December Ministerial Meeting.

The Ministers reviewed comprehensively the international situation with particular attention to areas of tension or conflict such as Malaysia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic and some African states, where grave threats have arisen to international security and peace. They reaffirmed the right of all peoples to live at peace under Governments of their own free choice.