SUPPLEMENT ON INDOCHINA TO SECOND PROGRESS REPORT ON NSC 5405

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R002900480011-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 28, 2005
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: February 25, 1955
• Content Type: MF

?
OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD
Washington 25, D. C.
M40RANDUM FOR TEE OPERATIONS C OORD TAT, BOARD
SUBJECT: Supplement-.on.. Indochina to; Se pnd. Propgress;.
Report on NSC 5405
Elmer B. Staats
Executive Officer
Supplement to Progress Report on NSC 514n5
(Southeast Asia) Summary of Developments
in Indochina, dated February 25, 1955 (TS)
Approved For Release 2005/04/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731R002900480011-1
..TOP SECRET
The attached paper, prepared at the request of the Board
Assistants, is distributed for consideration at the Board Meet-
ing of March 2, as a supplement to the second progress report
on NSC 54,05 (Southeast Asia).
The previnus draft of this paper, dated February 23, 1955,
is obsolete and may be destroyed in accordance with security
regulations of your agency.
Attacbi xit :
Downgraded to
CCE`TFIDE.NTIAL when
attachment remfw d
107316
I
Downgraded to
.,may 1Wo u~t Tvr bEU?tET Co
Approved For Release 2DD37o4/28:CIA-RDP80R00. j
NSC review(ps) completed.
 .. Approved For Release 200510141.2.8;1 -`
GUIDE TO D3FFERENC,`ES BET'WFMN THIS DRAFT AND
TIIE PREVIOUS ONE`',DATED FEBRUARY 23, 3-955
1.., page 1 -.Date. of report changed..
2.: Para.., '6 , (`page .2) , inserted new paragraph.. AII,
subsequent paragraphs renumbered consecutively..
Para...10 (page 2) revised.
,Para._.12,(Page 3) reference amber changed.
Approved For Release 2005/04/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731R002900480011-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/28 : CIA-RDP80R0l731 R002900480011-1
OP-RATIOS COORDINATING BOARD
Washington 25, D. C,
February 25;.. 1955
SUPPLE LENT TO PROGRESS REPORT ON NSC 5405 (SOUTHEAST ASIA)
St %E.j,ARY OF DE ELOPI ENTS IN INDOCHINA
(Rcf: NSC 5429/2 and NSC 54295; Period Aug. 20, 1954 through
Feb. 21, 1955)
I. MAJOR ACTIONS
1. In accordance with the recommendations formulated by General
J. Zcwton Collins pursuant to the frame of reference apprcved by the
President for him as his special representative in Viet-Nam, the U.S.
has:
I& vigorously supported the government of Prime 1vainister Diem
in Viet-Nam;
?
bz formulated force goals and secured their acceptance as
modified;
ca, agreed on economic aid, direct defense support, technical
assistance and informational prograas;
made budgetary determinations totalling ;314.3 ?:pillion for
FY 1955, under Section 121 of the ratual Security Act of
1954 for military and economic programs for Viet-Nam;
?
ems, encouraged political and economic reforms;
f reached agreement with the French and Vietnamese on U.S.
training of the Vietnamese National Arny under which the
U.S. undertook direction of training on February 12;
Z, initiated direct aid; and,
through government level negotiations has attempted, without success, to
reach complete U.S.-French agreement on policies in respect to Viet-Nam,
particularly with respect to full French support of Diem in Tree Viet-Nam
and regarding French economic policies toward the Viet Minh.
1 - TOP SECRET
10701E
Approved For Release 2005/04/28 : CIA-RDP80R0l731 R002900480011-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731R002900480011-1
?
is
?
TOP SECRET
2. The U.S. Navy sea-lift evacuated approximately 200,000
Vietnamese civilians from Haiphong to Free Viet-Nam.
3. In Cambodia, direct economic aid continues; final agreement
has not been reached on U.S. training of the Khmer forces although
force goals have been approved by the JCS; $42.2 million allotted
for FY 1955 but no disbursement made. Secretary Dulles will visit
Phnom Penh on February 28 and hopes to reach agreement at that time.
I-.. Progress has been more limited in Laos, where direct aid
has started, due to the limitations of the Geneva agreements; $53.3
million allotted for FY 1955.
5. Additional helicopters and liaison aircraft are shortly being
made available to the French for International Control Commission use
with delivery expected in February.
6. The information program, formerly centralized in Saigon,
now operates separately in Cambodia, Laos and Viet-Nam. Program
expansion from $1.3 million to about $2.5 million in February 1955
will emphasize provincial activities to stimulate and organize anti-
communist and pro-government support. In addition to pamphlets,
leaflets and posters, documentary motion picture production and
distribution is being increased significantly.
II. MAJOR OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS
7. The equivocal nature of French policy towards Viet-Nam, e.g.,
attempted and possible accommodation with the Viet Minh, replacement
of Diem by a more pliant figure, makes for continuing difficulties.
It does not appear likely that this French attitude and policy will
change under M. Faure.
8. U.S.-French differences are at present sharp in respect to
proposed U.S. training of Cambodian forces. No definitive solution
is in sight since the Cambodians and French have recently agreed to a
six month period (January 1 - June 30, 1955) of French responsibility
for such training. This may be resolved during the Bangkok Conference,
or during the Secretaryts visit in Phnom Penh on February 28.
9. The internal political situation in Laos continues to be
alarming because of the soft attitude of the Lao Government toward
the Communist Pathet Lao and the inability of the Royal Government
to reassert its authority in the two northernmostiprovixices.. This,
is expected to be a subject of discussion at the Bangkok Conference.
10. The effectiveness of the non-communist forces in Indochina,
in case of overt communist aggression or subversion, is-limited.
Application of the Protocol to the Manila Pact would require individual
decisions by powers signatory to the Pact, in response to an appeal,
in order to use their forces to supplement local military capabilities.
Approved For Release 2005/04129 :CIA-RDP80R01731 R002
 Approved For Release 2005/04/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731R002900480011-1
TOP SECRET
11,. The International Control Commission in each of the countries
retains on balance a tendency to favor the comraunists, largely because
of failure to take action on Viet Minh/Pathet Lao violations and because
of the usual delaying tactics by the Poles and to a lesser extent the
Indians.
12. Elections (See III. 13. below)
?
?
III, POLICY DEVELOP1 NTS
13. In NSC Action No. 1312, the NSC reaffirmed paragraph 10,
NSC 5429/5. The Department of State will within two months (by,April 3,
1955) prepare for the Council and the President policy recommendations
in respect to Vietnamese elections scheduled for July 1956 under the
terms of the Geneva agreements. General Collinst recommendations have
been requested and the Department of State has produced several preliminary
studies on this subject,
3 - TOP SECRET
Approved For Release 2005/04/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R00290p M It
 TOP SECRET
ApproveZI-For Release 2005104128
SIGNATURE RECORD AND COVER SHEET
,CUNIENT DESCRIPTION
REGIST
RY
SOURCE
l7CB
CIA CONTROL NO.
1
DOC. NO.
DATE DOCUMENT RECEIVED
DOC. DATE
COPY NO.
LOGGED BY
NUMBER OF PAGES
NUMBER OF ATTACHMENTS
ATTENTION: This form will be attached to each Top Secret document received by the Central Intelligence Agency or
classified Top Secret within the CIA and will remain attached to the document until such time as it is downgraded,
destroyed, or transmitted outside of CIA. Access to Top Secret matter is limited to Top Secret Control personnel
and those individuals whose official duties relate to the matter. Top Secret Control Officers who receive and/or
release the attached Top Secret material will sign this form and indicate period of custody in the left-hand col-
umns provided. Each individual who sees the Top Secret document will sign and indicate the date of handling in the
right-hand columns.
REFERRED TO
RECEIVED
RELEASED
SEEN BY
OFFICE
SIGNATURE
DATE
TIME
DATE
TIME
SIGNATURE AND OFFICE
DATE
~s.
PP/ICD
-1-
-=<
NOTICE OF DETACHMENT: When this form is detached from Top Secret material it shall be completed in the appropriate
spaces below and transmitted to Central Top Secret Control for record.
DOWNGRADED
TO
DESTROYED
BY (Signature)
DISPATCHED (OUTSIDE CIA)
TO
gnature)
WITNESSED BY (Signature)
BY (Signature)
DATE
Approved
FORM NO
REPLACES PREV
h
DATE
or Release 2005/04/28: CIA-RDP8
OFFICE
R01731 R002900480011
DATE
1
.
C
IOUS EDITIONS OF
I SEP 54 LV FORMS 38.13 AND 26 WHICH MAY BE USED.
TOP SECRET (40)