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University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1964
Non-Alignment: Ideal
A conference of the non-aligned nations of the world ended not very long ago at Cairo. An analysis of the reaction of the aligned nations would show that once again they have not hesitated to level their skeptic attacks on the nations exposing the non-alignment cause.
What does non-alignment stand for and what do the countries of this so-called "Third Bloc" aim to achieve?
On the consequences of the Chinese invasion of India, Nehru, late prime minister of India, said (Foreign Affairs): "In the world today it is not enough to be devoted to peace, or to mind one's own affairs, but it is also necessary to have adequate armed strength, to adjust our relations with friendly countries in the light of the changing actualities of the international situation, and above all, to preserve and consolidate national unity." While dangers were inherent in the situation, he said, the then recent events had confirmed "the essential and continuing validity of the principles on which we have taken our stand."
THE CHINESE INVASION was certainly a shattering blow and her start toward becoming a nuclear power further raises the skeptics' anxieties over the policies of the non-aligned nations. They have witnessed this powerful neighbor of India and the co-author of the principles of "Panch Sheel" (principle of coexistence) ruthlessly betraying the ideals to which it was committed. To them this was convincing evidence that the death knell had been struck on the non-alignment policies and further confirmed their opinion that non-alignment was only an expedient policy or a kind of crude collection of improvisations without any firm basis or principles. To remain uncommitted in this century, therefore, is something no nation can afford, they argued.
The mistrust of non-alignment policy by other nations stems from what may be called bloc mentality. In the aligned nations' opinion, nations emerging from the disintegrating grip of colonialism can survive only if they join one of two popular blocs. They contend that for these nations to guarantee themselves economic progress and military strength, the only recourse open is to enter into the Cold War or to bring upon their heads the certain doom of remaining isolated.
In the course of events that followed their joining together, non-aligned nations became suspect in the eyes of the two blocs. Western observers began to feel that these nations were following a secret path in an attempt to enter the socialist bloc ultimately. The late Secretary of State of the U.S., John Foster Dulles, called this policy "immoral." The Moscovites unhesitatingly called such non-involvement a "spurious play."
THE WORLD, in its incapacity to understand the real needs and aspirations of the new nations, is consumed by a baseless distrust that has caused unnecessary concern in the rest of the nations.
A note of acknowledgement to the West is due at this point. Their recent attitude certainly shows that although they still retain doubts as to the final outcome, they have not failed to recognize some of the significant contributions made by these non-aligned nations in the furtherance of world peace. These nations had to prove, in their approach to international questions, that non-alignment was genuine and was not controlled by any vested interests. These nations showed themselves resolved to maintain their independence and not to be bullied by threats or to be tempted by bribes either by the imperialists or by the colonialists.
The Korean War opened the eyes of the world to the usefulness of a band of non-committed nations in furthering world peace. The theory of "limited war" would have resulted in a full-scale war between the powerful blocs, had it not been for the advice and intervention of the non-aligned. The Neutral Nations' Repatriation Commission's role set a new pattern for settlement of international disputes and the non-aligned came to be recognized as an effective force in the cause of world peace.
Later developments did witness some of the
THE SETTLEMENT OF THE INDO-CHINA conflict at Geneva once again revealed to the world the positive approach non-aligned nations were going to take, free of the rigidities of bloc mentality. At the Bandung Conference in 1955, a new philosophy was written in which the newly liberated countries, including China, reaffirmed their faith in independence, co-existence of different systems and opposition to colonialism.
signatories breaking away from this philosophy and entering into military alliances. But those who withstood this temptation emerged as a new force determined in their cause for peace and disarmament and the elimination of colonialism as a source of conflict.
The United Nations opened its doors to these non-aligned nations, who brought a sense of idealism into the discussions on international affairs. At last a new force had been born whose larger vision of world peace and human welfare afforded them an opportunity to mediate effectively the discussions of the two blocs whose particular points of view were solely inspired by self-interest.
Non-alignment became the new ideology which could counteract the force of political strings which had hitherto been the controlling factor in the economic aid of newly freed nations. With the removal of Stalinism, the Soviet bloc with its allies, began to recognize the virtues of the "peace area." Economic assistance and technical aid began to flow from the socialist countries as well as from the western nations, thus setting off a peaceful economic competition for world prestige and the friendship of the new nations. It is not surprising, therefore, that the nations in Asia and Africa which were becoming independent, decided to opt for non-alignment.
IN THE FIRST CONFERENCE of the nonaligned nations held at Belgrade, the member nations in their historical declaration provided for the following: (1) not to join any military bloc, (2) to fight for the cause of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism, (3) to trust in co-existence of different systems, (4) to follow the policy of disarmament and work for world peace.
The Chinese attack on India and the earlier Anglo-French attack on UAR put certain reverses in the progress of these nations towards their goals. China's threat to India's sovereignty did not cause the latter to throw itself into the arms of one of the blocs, however. In fact, she followed her policy in the true spirit, thanks to the late Mr. Nehru, and this resulted in her getting the required military aid not only from the U.S. and Britain but also from China's comrade Russia. India made clear to the world that this arms aid was to be used only for the purpose of strengthening her defense against this powerful enemy (China) and not for any ambitious schemes, as the world was being led to believe by the press in Pakistan. Britain tried to play a dirty role in forcing India to reach a settlement in the Kashmir dispute, and the means elaborated by Britain at this juncture shamelessly exposed its policy of favoritism to Pakistan. This was in spite of the fact that the West had been alarmed by the attitude of Pakistan, a SEATO and CENTO member, when she signed the military treaty with China and declared India to be her "first enemy." Pakistan in doing this had surrendered 13,000 square miles of territory to the hungry dragon and had made a common cause with this member of the Warsaw Pact against the biggest democracy of the world.
AMPLE PROOF, THEN, OF THE POSITIVE effect of the role played by non-aligned nations is given by these results: (1) the softening of bloc antagonisms; (2) realization of the danger the world was exposed to by the stockpiling of nuclear weapons, in consequence of which the big powers signed the partial test ban treaty; (3) easing of international tension and (4) increasing hopes for international disarmament.
China's objective, which was concerned in the destruction of the non-alignment policy, failed in its efforts. Once again non-alignment triumphed over heavy opposition.
Britain and France's flirtations with China in recent times is not something the U.S. can afford to ignore. The new government in England has asserted that its policy towards China is not going to be changed. France's attitude in the test ban treaty and its latest adventures in international affairs are again something which the U.S. has to take serious notice of. These countries' new policy towards China is not merely guided by the desire for a share in China's market but is also political. The fear of a possible rapprochement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union is driving even these powerful allies towards a system of neutrality whereby they could continue to exercise their influence and power. They seem to little realize the danger they will be facing from China and its newly acquired power.
-H. Krishnan
"He Shouldn't Have Inhaled"
BOOK REVIEWS
CONFESSIONS OF AN ADVERTISING MAN, by David Ogilvy (Dell, 75 cents)—This is a success story that gives a lot of good practical advice to anyone contemplating a career in advertising. David Ogilvy is an unblushing backer—he would not use the word "Apologist"—for advertising, in an age when advertising has come under attack after attack. His story is a modern-day Horatio Alger tale, almost a legendary one—a man who came to America with $10 in his pocket and who now runs a $55 million agency. Ogilvy tells how he has written and sold famous ads—for Rolls Royce, for Sears Roebuck (mink coats), Hathaway shirts (the eyepatch man), Schweppes gin, Eleanor Roosevelt selling Good Luck margarine, the Economic Development Administration of Puerto Rico, Guinness stout, Shell oil.
THE BAY OF PIGS, by Haynes Johnson (Dell, 75 cents)—One of the darkest episodes in recent American history, one that is still providing ammunition for opponents of the Democratic administration, was the unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion of the spring of 1961. This is the story, told not only by Haynes Johnson but by a group of Cubans.
If there is a villain in the book it is the CIA, not the late President Kennedy. The authors indict the CIA for falsely treating the Cubans being trained for the invasion. They obviously regard the CIA as being stupid and incompetent, though scarcely subversive.
Johnson is an employee of the Washington Star. He talked with the leaders of Brigade 2506 after they were freed from Cuban prisons. And he interviewed many others to get the story. One gathers that the free-Cuba movement, at least as far as these men are concerned, has not ended, and that efforts will be made again to oust Castro.
* * *
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, by Charles Dickens (Dell, 40 cents)—Nicely timed for the holidays is this attractive little paperback. The books is perhaps the most famous short novel (or long short story) ever written, and the story is familiar to almost everybody; you can't escape it this time of year. The Christmas theme is a common one in Dickens' works, and this famous story of Scrooge, his ghosts, and Tiny Tim—"God bless us, every one!"—is most typical of the Christmas stories.
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