Word: seato
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...classic war of nerves. The war was fought against a sizable buildup of U.S. forces all across the Pacific. Tempers sharpened as the U.S. passed quiet word of deadlines that were just as quietly ignored by the Russians. The U.S. set out to rally its allies at the SEATO meeting in Bangkok while the Russians met secretly with theirs at a meeting of the War, saw Pact countries. With a loose agreement to negotiate, neither Kennedy nor Khrushchev came out the clear-cut victor. But by delaying their answer, the Russians had once again indicated that they felt that time...
Just back from SEATO. Secretary of State Dean Rusk flew to Palm Beach to discuss the Soviet note with President Kennedy. "The Soviet note contains certain observations with which we cannot agree.'' said Kennedy dryly. But. he added, it "offers hope that a way can be found to establish a neutral and independent Laos through negotiations. The first need is to bring the present fighting in Laos...
Compromise Communiqué. The U.S. opened its diplomatic drive on the SEATO front when Secretary of State Rusk touched down in the steaming heat of Bangkok for a conference of member foreign ministers. Rusk was determined to get SEATO to declare that, if the Soviets did not respond favorably by midweek to the Anglo-U.S. truce offer, then SEATO "will take military measures to check further aggression." SEATO's Asian members-the Thais, Pakistanis and Filipinos, who live in the shadow of Communism-strongly endorsed such a stand. But Rusk learned on his very first night in Bangkok...
Rusk argued publicly and privately for a firm and unified free-world stand, finally agreed to a cautiously worded communique that left room for maneuver. It declared that SEATO member states "are prepared to take whatever action may be appropriate." "It contains all that is necessary," said Rusk later. "One of the purposes of foreign policy is not to produce drama but to work hard at problems and solve them." This sort of approach had the support of Britain, and U.S. diplomats felt that they had at least won France's implicit pledge not to veto...
Focus of Action. As U.S. forces begin the move, Thailand-a fellow SEATO power-becomes the focus of action. With key bases established at Udon, Korat and Bangkok, the West can rake Communist-held portions of Laos with ease. In case of battle, U.S. combat troops would probably not be the first to go into action in Laos. Instead, U.S.-manned helicopters and transports would drop guerrilla forces of Thais, Pakistanis and Filipinos into the fighting sectors while U.S. troops occupied the Mekong River valley towns from Savannakhet through Paksane and Vientiane, up to Luangprabang; this would provide strong defense...