Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part-V-B-3b.djvu/298



21 May 1954

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE



of Loss of Indochina to the Communists
 * Subject: || Defense of Southeast Asia in the Event
 * }

1. As a result of recent military and,political developments, including certain public statements by high-level officials of the United States, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that it is incumbent upon them to determine what military forces and resources would be required to hold Southeast Asia against further Communist aggression in the event Indochina is lost to the Communists.

2. Currently approved United States Government objectives regarding Southeast Asia are based on the considerations that:


 * . The passing of the countries of Southeast Asia into the Communist orbit wold be inimical to the security interests of the United States, and


 * . The loss of Indochina to the Communist orbit could lead to the eventual loss of the other countries of Southeast Asia to the Communist orbit.

3. In the event that Indochina is lost to the Communists, the United States must take as an objective the prevention of the loss of the rest of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, and MalayMalaya [sic]) to the Communists.

4. There are two basic military concepts for the defense of Southeast Asia:


 * . Static type defense (Korea type).


 * . An offensive to attack the source of Communist military power being applied in Southeast Asia.

Rh

SecDef Cont. No. 3195