Asian Conference

We have suggested to Indian Government following general procedure
which they have accepted in broad outlines.

(1). Public opening by Nehru confined to welcome and statement of
objective followed by statements privately expressed of points of
view of governments represented concluding with drafting of
communique to Secretary-General, United Nations, which will be
made known at a final public session. All should be completed
within 3 days. There should be no vote; that is British
Commonwealth Conference procedure. In view of [1] you might find
it possible to allow Shanahan after reporting text of communique
to be associated with it on same basis as everyone else.

In the way while Australia and New Zealand for local political
reasons are represented on an official level we could nevertheless
take full part from point of view of Asian countries.

Everything will depend on text of communique and all present
indications are that it will be strictly in accord with United
Nations procedure.

In our public statement [2] we have carefully avoided use of word
observer and relied upon difference Minister and Official. This
overcomes political difficulty without giving appearance of
rejection of invitation to send representative of Government.

Regret [3] but would appreciate you discuss if possible with
Shanahan before he leaves.