AFRO-ASIAN CONFERENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300290017-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: March 30, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

-'Approved For Release 2000/08/3 P80R01443R000300290017-1
NSC BRIEFING 30 March 1955
AFRO-ASIAN CONFERENCE
I, All but one of 25 countries, invited by the five Colombo
Powers, have accepted bid to meet in Bandung on 18 Apr.
A. Only Central African Federation (newly-formed UK
colony) has declined.
B. Total of 29 conferees represent more than half of
world's population (1.4 billion). Interesting side-
light on polyglot group is that English will be
"official language.t'
C. 15 of 29 share history as former colonies or pro-
tectorates of Western nations.
D. Of remainder, almost all have received "imperialist"
treatment at hands of West in past'hundred years.
E. In making up invitation list, sponsors adopted no
clear-cut qualifications--even Nehru stated that
invitees were "an odd assortment."
II. Provisional agenda, carries 8 topics.
A. Number one: "Promotion of world peace and, cooperation:
problems of lessening of international tensions: co-
existence,"
B. Next: "Progress in Indochina."
C. Third: "Racial discrimination and racial problems,"
D. Next: "Problem of dependent people, in colonial areas
and trust territories."
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80R01443R000300290017-1
 'Approved For Release 2000/08I9O"'CTA-RDP80RO1443R000300290017-1
E.
Fifth;.
"Nuclear energy, in war and peace."
F.
Sixth:
t'Programmes of economic development; ways and
means of cooperation within the Asian-African region."
G.
Seventh:
,Cultural cooperation."
H.
Last: "Desirability of holding cultural festivals in
participating countries on appropriate occasions."
III. Agenda, reflects strong Indian influence. Also, although
sponsors have professed desire avoid controversy, such an
agenda actually gravy-train for Communists,
A. Commies can assume posture on side of angels time
after tine, express pious views, avoid aggressive
appearance.
B. Tip-off to tone of conference may be given in
Indonesian president Sukarno's opening address.
IV. ChiComs, Viet Minh working hard for big splash at Bandung.
A. Although delegations limited to 20, Peiping sending
24, plus a reported 30 "security" guards.
B. Viet Minh sending only 15, but Chief Delegate will
be wisp-bearded saintly Ho Chi Minh, living personi-
fication of triumphant nationalism in eyes of many.
C. Leader of Chinese delegation will be Premier Chou'En-lai.
1. Both Chou and Ho not only extremely adroit negoti-
ators, but possess unusual ability to charm others.
D. Measure of Communist expectations seen in press cover-
age plans: 12 TASS men, 2 from London Daily Worker,
\
rsa~ae'
Approved For Release 2000/
= D 443R000300290017-1
ShtM
MUM"
 Approved For Release 2000/081? : DP80RO1443R000300290017-1
1. Chinese reportedly planning file 10,000 words a. day,
V. Communists will have chance for trial run of Bandung ttlinett
sort of dress rehearsal--the unofficial 6-10 April "Asian
Conference to Relax International Tensions" at New Delhi.
A. Delhi meet, sponsored by Commie-front All India Peace
Council and where USSR will be present, will be
attended by private groups from several Asian and
Middle Eastern countries which will also have govern-
ment delegations at Bandung.
1. Agenda, remarkably similar to Bandungts,
(See separate card on U Nuts "Houseparty").
VI. Neutralist bloc (tota.l: six) will have Nehru as spokesman,
dominating figure. Other important neutralists:
A. U Nu (Burma) - Devout Buddhist, Premier throughout
entire turbulent post-independence period. Although
shooting local Commies, Nu is staunch advocate of
neutrality in foreign relations, feels best way to
deal with ChiComs is be nice to them.
B. All Sastroamidjojo (Indonesia) - heads neutralist
cabinet which depends on Indonesian Commies to stay
in office.
C. Khalid Al-.Azm (Syria) - shrewd, ambitious opportunist,
dominant figure in present neutralist Syrian cabinet:
plays anti-Western line.
Delegations from remaining two neutralists - Afghanistan,
Nepal - are insignificant: will follow Nehru.
Approved For Release 2000/08/36LP80RO1443R000300290017-1
 Approved For Release 2000/09 RDP80RO1443R000300290017-1
VII. Line-up of others makes outlook for West not at all bad.
A. 21 of 29 participants are strongly anti-Communist; of
these, 12 are closely linked to West.
B. Among these delegates are such experienced and
eloquent advocates of co-operation with West as:
1, Romulo (Philippines).
2. Zorlu (Turkey).
3. Wan (Thailand).
4. Jamali (Iraq).
5, Mohammed Ali (Pakistan),
6. Kotelawala (Ceylon).
7. Amini (Iran) - able Finance Minister: did out-
standing job on oil negotiations.
8.. Malik (Lebanon) also may attend, although not
heading delegation.
9. Japanese delegation head not yet chosen. Although
likely to be %tshyt' at postwar debut, anxious not
to offend Peiping and also keeping eyes peeled for
trade prospects, Japanese nonetheless expected to
vote right.
Further factor favorable to West is possible develop-
ment Sino-Indian rivalry.
1. Nehru not believed favorably disposed to domina-
tion of conference or show-stealing by ChiComs.
B. Chinese will probably behave "correctly," press claim
to Formosa..
1. Will find Conference useful place to plant advance
justification for future Formosa, action.
Approved For Release 2000/ RDP80RO1443R000300290017-1