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(7i) The United States continues to take the position on regional defense coordination that the initiative on any movement for regional defense understanding or pacts must come from countries of the area and that the United States would be ready to lend appropriate assistance and advice if it is requested by the countries of the area and there in reason to believe that such action would meet their needs and desires and provide the collective security of the free world. There is reason to believe that if the United States were to take the initiative and press for a regional defense organization it would be misinterpreted as outside interference and pressure and could fail to achieve the objectives.

(7j) The Department of State's public affairs officer have emphasized on suitable occasions as opportunities have offered the importance to the security of the United States which the United States Government attaches to preservation of countries in Southeast Asia from Communist domination. Although there is growing realization among the American people as to the importance of Southeast Asia to the free world, there is as yet no indication that public opinion would support a contribution to the struggle in Indochina, for example, other than that currently being made in military end-items and in financial aid, i.e., direct U.S. military participation would not be acceptable under present conditions.

(8a) The United States supported the application of Cambodia, Laos, and Viet-Nam for membership in the United Nations, and, after the applications were vetoed by the Soviet Union in the Security Council, supported the resolutions passed by the General Assembly in favor of membership for the three states. The three states were recognized by Canada on December 29, 1952 and by Turkey on March 5, 1953, bringing the number of countries which have extended recognition to 35. Nevertheless, progress toward recognition by other Asian states (of these only Thailand and the Republic of Korea have recognized) has been very slow, even the Philippines, in spite of a number of official assurances, has been reluctant to act.

(8b) Official public affirmation to France that the United States regards the French effort in Indochina as important in the general international interest and essential to the free world's security was given when the United States joined in the NATO Council resolution of December 17, 1952, which recognized the common security interest and declared it deserving of continuing support from the NATO Governments. This affirmation was reiterated at the time of Prime Minister Mayor's visit to Washington in March 1953. (8c) The

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