MEKONG RIVER INVESTIGATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62-00680R000200230001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 15, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 1, 1959
• Content Type: MEMO

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Chief, Geographic Oeogrephic Research Area, ORR
Acting Chief, Map Library Division, ORR
Mekong River Investigations
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1 Dec..tm r 1;59
1. It is gonerally believed, from available data, that the lower Mekong
River basin has a potential WhiCh can be developed into one of the greatest
natural resources in Southeast Asia. &specially promising are development
works for hydroelectric generation, irrigation and navigation. It appears
that comprehensive, multi-purpose development is best suited for the area,
as opposed to single purpose works at selected sites. Comprehensive development
of the Mekong Basin, however, is complicated someghat by riparian isterest*
*hared by 4 countries, Laos, Vietnam, Canbodis and Thailand.
2. As viewed at this time, the lower Mekong Resin, the area unier stvdy,
include* all of the Mekong River watershed from the Burma border to the set.
The total area involved is approximately 227,000 square miles. On. country
basis about 440 of the watershed area lies in Laos, 32% in Thailand, 26$ it
Csabodia and 2% in Vietnam (the watershed boundaries are shown on msp attachment
1). It would appear that multi-lateral harmony in any future development 'ors
may be difficult to achieve.
3. To date, While the project is in the investigation and pre-plena:lug
stages, the riparian governments have worked together closely, and have recently
formed the Coordinating Connittee for the Lover Mekong Basin. From the tire
the project first received serious consideration (as early as 1951) it was
apparent that foreign technical assistance and money would be required. Ir
this connection, the United Nations has provided 2 survey missions end the
International Cooperation Adndnistrotion, a team of Bureau of Reclamation
engineers. At present the United Rations lc:anomie Commission for Atia and
the Per East, through an Executive Agent, provides guidance and assistance
to the Coordinating Committee.
4. The three survey missions noted above were dispatched to irvestigste
separate specific Mekong Resin projects for possible early construction. All
three teams, however, reported that there was insufficient precipitstion, ;team
flow and terrain data available to begin engineering work for any projects.
Ibm most recent survey mission (provided by UNTAA and headed by General
Idwerd Wheeler, U.S. Army, retired; of the MED) made its report (Wheeler
Report) in January 1958. this report is used generally by present p1annin6
groups as a guide. Wheeler's report pointed out the specific deficitencies
in available data and recommended a program to obtain the needed de,* for
the entire Basin. His recommendations form the basis for investigations now
in progress.
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SWIM Mekong liver Investi tions
5. The moat pressing need for Mekong Basin planning groups is for
hydrologic hydnemaphic and meterologie data which are essential f! )r any
river devedopekent wotks. The present program assigns the accumulat:,on or
the data, together with pping sad levelling, a number I priority. Map
attachments 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the areas and priorities for which these
data are required, according to Wheeler's report. A breakdown of costs ami
equipment needed is given in attachment 4. It is recognized, that or.::
comprehensive development program, special studies will have to be endertaAes,
in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries miners" resourcea, trensportatiov,
power markets and the basia's general economr. isese studies, accowdlmg to
Wheeler, Should be made concurrently with the first priority river Investigations.
NO also remanded that UN specialized agencies such as FAO underteke thi3
work.
6. Wheeler further recommeaded that the services of a foreign engineering
compay or goverement agency be obtained to coordinate the operations invoved
in the collection of the basic engineering data, training, pleppieg and
other services. The ICterational Cooperation Administration took the
initiative in implementing this recommendation by contracting with the Name
Nagineeriag Company, Chicago, Illinois, to perform this service. Tia comrsct,
amountiag to I #2,200,000 expenditure, represents the Ultima U.S. tontribution
to the project. The Mersa Compaay, While contracted to ICA, works in behe:1
of the Coordinating Committee and the United latices Executive Agent.
7. After release of the Wheeler Report, several other countries have
offered contributions to the Naos% Basta investigation program. Ctnada 1*8
undertaken the first priority surveying =dapping work for the main stem
of the Nekomg. The Photographic Surveys Corporation, Toronto, has teen
contracted for tbis $1,300,000 project, ehiell includes serial photography,
large scale topographic apples, triangulation and levelling. The scope of
the Csaadien project is generally that shown as first priority work in asp
attachments 2 ami 3. The reaulta of this project will, not duplicate aerial
photography and mopping in the area beteg dome by the U.S. Army MIP Service,
although some ANS photography (flows by Werldvide Aerial Surveys) will be usei
to supplement The Photographic Surveys Corporation
project will be out under the direction, of the Narsa Company.
8. 'animate' and vertical control ark, ehiell generally falls into the
aerial survey project, has been subcontracted by the Photographic Surveys
Corporation to the Cortez& Surveying Coepany of Manila, although par77 of tba
contract costs will be met by the U.S. through the laxsa contract. ,Zome or
Certeses work ham no direct application to the serial survey.) Certesa,
which has offices in Phnom Fenu, has prier experience in the area working on
ANS contracts.
9. Open ens one of the rirst countries to offer assistance to the
Mekong Coorlinating Committee after the release of the Wheeler repor.., an
offer that was quickly accepted. In January 1959, the Japanese begaa a two
year survey of the lekcee River tributaries with special emphasis on hydrolJgical
2
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8UJICTt Mekong River Investigations
studies. An 18 nun team completed a reconnaissance in February 1959. France
is contributing hydrological instruments and the United Kingdom, a nunber of
boats for hydrogrnphical work. Deficiencies in support by countries ther
than the United States are made up in part by funds provided in the Narza
contract. It should be pointed out that the Malted State* is contribqting
*21200,000 toward the estimated *5,670,000 required for first priorit/
hydrological,hydrogrephical and meteorological investigations,
10. The present investigations, which are concerned primarily with the
in stream of the Mekong, will be carried out over a period of not less
than three years, depending on a continuing flow of foreign assistance. Up
on
completion, cuffi:ient data will be available for planning and engineering
development works (according to an vut engineer, 3 year statistical data on
stream flow is a k.are ndnimum for dam and irrigation works pleneingi
LOU
year, or longer,. records are desirible). Following the investigatiors, the
riparian governments will no doubt be anxious to implement construction pro;ect.s
for Which foreign technical assistance and capital ill be required. At least
One ICA officer has indicated, unofficially, that the whole project may be
unrealistic because of huge amount of capital required. It would also appetr
that political differences might arise among the riparian countries if and
when the project develops beyond the investigation stage.
11. Little difficult
nvesti tione in progress
in rocuri the results ,he various
Any otherst uc a y
United Nations, such as plover, transportation or agriculture studies
available by purchase, through geographic Attache's or from
aDilifoltion to the United Nations in New York.
3
-1010414
for the
areufiNs_45a1
he United Stats
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SUDJICT: Mekong River Investigations
13. Information used in compiling the attached report was obtained
from ilep Library Division files and from conversations with Sr. Car,. A. Cramer,
Civil Zngineer, Industries Division, International Cooperation Admi:sistrat
With the exception of references to procurement activity and cosusen-,s cited
by ICA officiala concerning the future of the project, which are Confidential.,
all information in this report is tkiclassified.
Attachments: 25kg1
Originator:
Distributions
0 & 3. - A&Lressee
2-DC
25X1 A9a
minoi N Mi
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