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Documents on Canadian External Relations
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Volume #17 - 940. | |
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CHAPTER X FAR EAST | |
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PART
1 REGIONAL SECURITY PACT | |
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940. |
PCO |
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Extract from Cabinet Conclusions
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TOP SECRET |
[Ottawa],
March 1st, 1951 |
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PACIFIC SECURITY PACT; CANADIAN ASSOCIATION | |
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10. The Secretary of State for External Affairs said that the Minister of External Affairs of Australia had sent a personal message enclosing a draft treaty between the United States, Australia and New Zealand for security in the Pacific. The treaty was similar in outline to the North Atlantic Treaty but had weaker security provisions. It provided that the parties would "consult together" whenever the security of any of them was threatened in the Pacific and each party recognized that an armed attack in the Pacific area on any of the parties "would be dangerous to its own peace and security" and each party "would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes". Mr. Spender said he would be grateful for Canadian assistance in getting United Kingdom and United States support for the pact. He assumed that Canada, with her wide existing commitments in the Atlantic area, would not wish to be a party to the arrangements. An explanatory memorandum had been circulated. (Minister's memorandum, undated, Cab. Doc. 59-51)? 11. Mr. Pearson suggested that a reply might be sent assuring the sympathetic interest of Canada in the pact but stating that heavy existing commitments made it difficult for Canada to participate at this time. 12. The Prime Minister was of the opinion that Canada should not become a party to the proposed agreement at present. U.S. association in the agreement was much to be desired. 13. The Cabinet, after discussion, noted the report of the Secretary of State for External Affairs concerning discussions between the United States, Australia and New Zealand for a Pacific Security Treaty and agreed that: (a) Canada should not be associated with the proposed treaty at the present time; and, (b) a draft reply to the Minister of External Affairs of Australia setting forth the Canadian position be prepared and circulated for consideration. | |
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