AFRO-ASIAN CONFERENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300290013-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: March 30, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

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AFRO-ASIAN CONFERENCE
1. Of 25 countries invited by the five Colombo
,Powers, all but one (Central African Federa-
tion) have accepted bid to meet in Bandung
on 18 Apr.
A. Total 29 conferees represent over half
world's population (1.4 billion). No
special qualifications for invitation--
even Nehru stated that invitees were
"an odd assortment." Sidelight on
polyglot group--English will be
"official la.ngua.ge. "
B. 15 of 29 share history as former
colonies or protectorates of Western
nationg; almost all rest know
"imperialism" from receiver's end.
II.AProvisional agenda ( drafted by
India) carries 8 topics.
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A. Number one: "Promotion of world peace
and cooperation:
problems of lessening
of international tensions: co-existence."
B.
Next:
"Progress in Indochina.."
C.
Third:
"Ra.cia.l discrimination and
racial problems."
D.
Next:
"Promblem of dependent people,
in colonial area's and trust territories."
E.
Fifth:
peace."
"Nuclear energy, in war and
F.
Sixth:
"Programmes of economic develop-
ment; ways and means of cooperation
within the Asian-African region."
G. Seventh: "Cultural cooperation."
H. Last: "Desira'bility of holding cultural
festivals in participating countries on
appropriate occasions."
Wov&1) 4't
III. agenda *W gravy-train for
r
Communists.
A. They evert posture on side of angels,
express pious views, avoid aggressive
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B. Tip-off to tone !716711 erence may 1be
given in Indonesian president Suka.rno's
opening address.
IV. ChiComs, Viet Minh working hard for big
splash at Bandung.
A. Although delegations limited to 20,
Peiping sending 24, plus reported 30
"security" guards.
B. Viet Minh sending only 15, but Chief
Delegate will be wisp-bearded, saintly
Ho Chi Minh, to many a living image of
triumphant nationalism.
C. Head ChiCom--Premier Chou En-lai.
1. Both Chou and Ho not only extremely
adriot negotiators, but possess un-
usual ability to charm others.
D. Measure of Commie expectations seen in
press coverage plans: 12 TASS men, 2
from London Daily Worker,, Chinese.
1. Chinese reportedly planning file
10,000 words a, day.
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V. Communists will have c anc
Bandung "line" at dress rehearsal--the un-
official left-wing "Asian Conference to Re-
lax International Tensions" at New Delhi
(6-10 Apr.).
A. Delhi meet,. sponsored by Commie-front
All India. Peace Council and including
USSR, will be attended by private
groups from 11 Asian, Middle Eastern
countries which also attending Bandung.
1. Agenda. remarkably similar to
$andung's.
g L r q e j REp& N rd A coot r o 7 H 5 Met Ti G'
B. (See separate card on U Nu's "house-
party") .
VI. Neutralist bloc (tota.l: six) will have Nehru
as spokesman, dominating figure. Other im-
portant neutralists:
A. U Nu (Burma,) - Devout Buddhist, premier
since independence ('48). Shoots local
Commies, but is staunch advocate of
neutrality in foreign relations; feels
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neutralist cabinet which depends on
Indonesian Commies to stay in office.
C. Kha.lid Al-Azm (Syria.) - shrewd, ambitious
opportunist, dominant figure in present
neutralist Syrian cabinet; plays anti-
Western line.
D. Delegations from remaining two neutral-
ists - Afghanistan, Nepal - are.Ji-
n: will follow Nehru's lead.
VII..Line-up of other conferees makes outlook for
West not at all ba.d.
A. 21 of 29 participants are strongly anti-
Communist; of these, 12 are closely
linked to West.
B. Among them are such experienced and
eloquent advocates of co-operation with
West as:
1. Romulo (Philippines).
2. Zorlu (Turkey).
3. Wan (Thailand).
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5. Mohammed All (Pakistan).
6. Kotelawala. (Ceylon).
7. Amini (Iran) - able Finance Minister:I
did outstanding job on oil negotia,-
tions.
C. Malik (Lebanon) also may attend, although
not heading delegation.
D. Japanese delegation head not yet chosen.,
Although likely to be "shy" at postwar
debut (anxious not to offend Peiping
and also keeping eyes peeled for trade
prospects), Japanese nonetheless ex-
pected to vote right.
VIII.Further factor favorable to West is possible
development Sino-Indian rivalry.
A. Nehru not believed favorably disposed to
domination of conference or show-stealing
by ChiComsJ
B. Chinese will probably behave "correctly,"'
press claim to Formosa.
1. Will find l la e to
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