Dean Rusk Arrives for SEATO Conference - Lcgmn.com

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pines and France. The purpose for
forming the alliance was to counter the
threat of communist aggression and
subversion within the Treaty area.
What happened then? The "Rape of
Tibet" shocked the world. But no one
lifted a finger to help the beleaguered
Tibetans. Then came Vietnam - and
stiJI no peace.
How Successful?
Assembled here in Canberra for this
recent SEATO Conference was one of
the largest contingents of leading world
statesmen meeting together since the
end of World War II. Processions of
diplomatic limousines on Sunday, June
26, with po lice escorts and with Bags
flying moved down King George's
Terrace, past Parliament House. and on
to Embassy Row. first arrived Thai·
land's Minister for Foreign Affairs
Thanat Khoman. Next came the Philippines
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Narciso
Ramos followed by the Foreign
Minister of South Vietnam Dr. Tran
Van Do. Britain's Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs Michael Stewart had
arrived the previous day.
Early morning visitors to Parliament
House were surprised to see Prime
Minister Holt's RoUs Royce arrive at the
front entrance and the Prime Minister
himself mount the steps. Prime 1\1inistee
Halyoake of New Zealand arrived
a few minutes later!
Australia and New Zealand. politically
non-Asian lands but geographically
located in a vast Asian sea, have
of necessity a kindred outlook on problems
affecting their ultimate destinies.
The two Prime Ministers met for
/aJt-mhl1lte-taLk.l before the opening of
the SEA TO conference. Mr. Holyoake
was to attend the SEA TO Council. Mr.
Holt, however, was scheduled for imminent
departure to the U. S. A. and
Britain for high-level diplomatic discussions
with President Johnson and
Prime Minister Wilson.
The final event of the day was the
arrival of the United States Secretary of
State Dean Rusk. American Embassy
staff had been feverishly busy throughout
the day making preparations for the
arrival of Me. Rusk and his large contingent
of aides and secret service men.
The big bl lie and grey Presidential
Jet touched down at Fairbairn Military
Airport on the outskirts of Canberra.
As Mr. Rusk appeared, he was greeted
by Australian External Affairs Minister,
Paul Hasluck, and quickly enveloped by
a crowd of newsmen, photographers
and Embassy staff.
Rusk immediately put the Australians
at ease by stating that he had 1101 come
to call for more Australian troops for
Vietnam.
Official Opening
The official opening meeting was
held at Canberra's new Civic Auditorium.
It was attended by approximately
1500 reserved seat ticket holders.
British Secretary of State for Foreign
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FORE 1 GN TROD1
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