STAFF STUDY ON PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGY PLANNING TASKS WITH REGARD TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01065A000300010047-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 11, 2004
• Sequence Number: 47
• Publication Date: March 26, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2004/
QXPArT
: PFO-010650300010047-3
26 March 1952
Staff Study on Psychologioa1 Stra e Planni
Tasks with Regard to Southeast Asia
Ste: This item reflects need for a psychological strategy plan for
Southeast Asia to be prepared concurrently with an NSC policy
paper on the same subject (now in preparation).
A CIA staff review of the PSB study finds it admirably suited for
the detailed development of a strategic plan for this area. However,
it is suggested that when a PSB panel is assigned to develop this strategic
plan it should give special attention to a reexamination of certain assump-
tions--particularly the following:
1. Japan will fill the Pacific "power vacuum" as a conse-
quence of the Pacific treaties (especially the Japanese Peace
Treaty) recently concluded.
2. Japanese trade with the Chinese mainland will be eliminated.
3. Japanese trade with Southeast Asia will expand without
external restraints.
CIA would be inclined to give special weight to the following factors:
(1) that overseas Chinese businessmen dominate Southeast Asia's economy;
(2) that Indonesia is the major source of oil in Southeast Asia; (3) that
considerations of political reforms in Thailand should recognize traditional
social and political factors; and (4) Indochina and Burma are the countries
"most threatened."
Recommendation: That you approve the development by the PSB Staff of a
psychological strategy plan for Southeast Asia.
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 CIA-RDP80-01065A000300010047-3
25X1