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30 April 1954

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE



Indochina in Event of a Cease Fire.
 * Subject: || Suspension of U.S. Military Aid to
 * }

1. The possibility exists that a cease fire in Indochina may be agreed upon either at Geneva or unilaterally between the French and the Viet Minh. In that event, the Viet Minh would likely covertly extend their control over large areas currently held by French Union Forces and cause major defections of these forces. This would result in a quick deterioration of the entire French Union position and enable the Viet Minh to seize large amounts of U.S. Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) materiel and supplies.

2. In light of the foregoing, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider it necessary that the United States adopt the following position reference future MDAP assistance to Indochina:

"In the event of a cease fire in Indochina, the shipment of military end items under U.S. MDAP provided under the "Agreement for Mutual Defense Assistance in Indochina between the United States of America and Cambodia, France, Laos, and Vietnam," will immediately be suspended, except for such spares and associated maintenance items necessary to the maintenance of equipment in operations. The entire question of U. S. aid to Indochina will be re-examined in the light of circumstances then existing."

3. It is the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the "Agreement for Mutual Defense Assistance in Indochina between the United States of America and Cambodia, France, Laos, and Vietnam," of 23 December 1950, provides adequate legal basis for subject suspension.

4. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that you secure governmental acceptance of the position proposed in paragraph 2 above. Rh