Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 May 23, 1950 By DEB NLT, Date 5-14-85 S G R E T SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS COMMONWEALTH Embassy Canberra, reporting on the CONFERENCE Commonwealth conference on aid to South- east Asia recently concluded in Canberra, states that aside from the eventual political and economic results on Southeast Asia which may in the end prove more fruitful than appears on the surface the most significant aspects were the active part played by Canada and the apparent new departure in Australian foreign policy. Our Embassy reports an evident growing Canadian interest in South- east Asia, but a disinclination on the part of that country to become financially involved before, or "too much before", the US. The heavy- handed and tactless Australian conduct of the conference has gone far to strengthen our Embassy's view that the Menzies Government, through Foreign Minister Spender, is determined to establish a foreign policy independent not only of the UK but of the entire Common- wealth in those areas where it cannot obtain general agreement. The question now remains whether Australia will abide by the conference result or attempt unilateral action for the successful accomplishment of which it would appear to have inadequate resources. IRAN For the benefit of Embassy London's dis- - cussions with representatives of the UK, we have indicated certain basic points of our contemplated policy toward Iran. The proposed US Mission will be far broader in scope than a mere survey mission and it is our intention that it remain in Iran for as long as may be necessary to relieve the present critical situation. It will have responsibility for recommending projects to be financed by the Eximbank, for observing expenditures of funds and for recom- mending to the Iranian Government measures it could take on its own to improve the situation. The proposed expanded informational pro- - gram is not regarded as a mere propaganda campaign but intends to SECREI