Making Public the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty and the Protocol Thereto Signed At Manila On September 8, 1954

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty and Protocol

Preamble
- The Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty and Protocol were signed by Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States on September 8, 1954 in Manila.
- The Philippine Senate concurred with the Treaty and Protocol on February 14, 1955.
- All signatory states ratified and deposited their instruments of ratification, with Thailand depositing on December 2, 1954, and the other states depositing on February 19, 1955.
- The Treaty entered into full force and effect on February 19, 1955 at 11:00 a.m. Standard Time 120 East Meridian.

Provisions
- The Treaty aims to establish a collective defense system against external armed attack in the treaty area.
- The treaty area covers the general area of Southeast Asia, including the entire territories of the Asian parties and the area embraced by the islands adjacent thereto.
- Each party recognizes that aggression by means of armed attack in the treaty area against any of the parties or against any state or territory which the parties by unanimous agreement may hereafter designate, would endanger its own peace and safety.
- In the event of such aggression, each party would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes.
- Measures taken under this collective defense arrangement shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations.
- The parties shall consult immediately whenever the integrity, sovereignty or political independence of any party is threatened in the treaty area.
- The parties shall maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack and to prevent and counter subversive activities directed from without against their territorial integrity and political stability.
- The Protocol designates the states and territories covered by the Treaty, including Cambodia, Laos, and the free territory under the jurisdiction of the State of Vietnam.
- The Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely, but any party may cease to be a party one year after notice has been given to the Government of the Philippines.