Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
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The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), also known as the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty or the Manila Pact, was an international organization for defensive collaboration established on September 8, 1954. It was also created to oppose further Communist gains in Southeast Asia. The organization's headquarters was located in Bangkok, Thailand. The treaty was dissolved in 1977.
Members
History
Based in Bangkok, the organization used the militaries of its member nations, and had joint maneuvers every year. Despite this, it was unable to intervene in the early conflicts of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam because an intervention required a decision of unanimity, which was never reached; France and the Philippines objected. Intervention in the Vietnam conflict was sought again later, but France and Pakistan withheld support.
Unable to intervene at all collectively in Indochina, the organization was found ineffective. Questions of disbandment arose as early as 1973, as some countries withdrew. Pakistan withdrew on November 7, 1973. and France withdrew on June 30, 1974. The organization formally ended in 1977.
Memberships for Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam were not possible because of issues of the three countries' dealing with the 1954 Geneva agreements. The official leader of the organization from 1957 was known as the secretary-general. Thai diplomat Pote Sarasin held this position until 1964.
SEATO was created as a result of the Truman Doctrine and the West's policy of containment at the time of the Cold War. It is considered the brainchild of US diplomat John Foster Dulles.
See also
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