Notes_1E_Acheson_Speech 英语.docxVIP

HWA CHONG INSTITUTIONYear 4 IHC NOTES E – Ideological Conflict [The Korean War]EXCERPTS FROM ACHESONS SPEECH TO THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB?JANUARY 12, 1950This afternoon I should like to discuss with you the relations between the peoples of the United States and the peoples of Asia....?What is the situation in regard to the military security of the Pacific area, and what is our policy in regard to it?In the first place, the defeat and the disarmament of Japan has placed upon the United States the necessity of assuming the military defense of Japan so long as that is required, both in the interest of our security and in the interests of the security of the entire Pacific area and, in all honor, in the interest of Japanese security. We have American, and there are Australian troops in Japan. I am not in a position to speak for the Australians, but I can assure you that there is no intention of any sort of abandoning or weakening the defenses of Japan, and that whatever arrangements are to be made, either through permanent settlement or otherwise, that defense must and shall be maintained.This defensive perimeter runs along the Aleutians to Japan and then goes to the Ryukyus. We hold important defense positions in the Ryukyu Islands, and those we will continue to hold. In the interest of the population of the Ryukyu Islands, we will at an appropriate time offer to hold these islands under trusteeship of the United Nations. But they are essential parts of the defensive perimeter of the Pacific, and they must and will be held.The defensive perimeter runs from Ryukyus to the Philippine Islands. Our relations, our defensive relations with the Philippines are contained in agreements between us. Those agreements are being loyally carried out and will be loyally carried out. Both peoples have learned by bitter experience the vital connections between our mutual defense requirements.So far as the military security of other areas in the Pacific is concerned, it must be clear that