The Five Power Agreement for the Defense of Malaysia/Singapore - Opportunity or Obligation for the US.
Abstract
US interests in a new regional collective security arrangement are considered by examining its background and the chronology of its evolution, and by examining the interests and attitudes of the five participating countries. The attitudes of neighboring countries and the major powers towards the Agreement are important to the US position. Information was gathered mainly through literature search, but was supplemented by the author's presence in Australia during the time when the subject was topical in public speeches and in news media comments. Several of the Five Powers belong to other regional organizations which are oriented toward cooperation in economic and cultural activities, but all such organizations are encouraged by the Nixon Doctrine. Because the US is a declared Pacific power and has ANZUS and SEATO military allies in the Agreement, it has obligations to the Agreement members, but its obligations are limited because of the consultative nature of the Agreement. The US should support the Five Power Agreement as one alternative to a Soviet-inspired Southeast Asia Collective Security System, and because the Agreement is a solid example of what the Nixon Doctrine seeks. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 18, 1971
- Accession Number
- ADA026929
Entities
People
- Richard H. Sugg
Organizations
- United States Army War College