Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part-V-B-3c.djvu/403

TOP SECRET :. Deterring further Communist aggression, and preventing the occurrence of total war so far as compatible with U. S. security.


 * . Maintaining and developing in the free world the mutuality of interest and common purpose, the confidence in the United States, and the will, strength and stability, necessary to face the Soviet-Communist threat and to provide constructive and attractive alternatives to Communism, which sustain the hope and confidence of the free peoples.


 * . In addition to and  above. taking other actions designed to foster changes in the character and policies of the Soviet-Communist bloc regimes:


 * (1) By influencing them and their peoples toward the choice of those alternative lines of action which, while in their national interests, do not conflict with the security interests of the United States.


 * (2) By exploiting differences between such regimes to disrupt the structure of the Soviet-Communist bloc.


 * (3) By exploiting vulnerabilities within the bloc countries in ways consistent with this general strategy.


 * . Destroying or neutralizing the international Communist apparatus in the free world.

7. To carry out effectively this general strategy will require a flexible combination of military, political, economic, psychological, and covert actions which enables the full exercise of U. S. initiative. These actions must be so coordinated as to reinforce one another. Programs for carrying out this general strategy should be developed and conducted as a matter of urgency, with special emphasis in the period before the Soviets achieve nuclear parity.

8. Provided that it is resolutely pursued, this general strategy offers the best hope of bringing about at least a prolonged period of armed truce, and ultimately a peaceful resolution of the Soviet bloc-free world conflict and a peaceful and orderly world environment. Failure resolutely to pursue this general strategy could, within a relatively short span of years, place the United States in great jeopardy. Rh