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I-12,025/61

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR, NSC AFFAIRS

SUBJECT: Defense Requirements in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand

A review of our files concerning what action, if any, has been taken with the Department of State concerning defense requirements for facilities in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand revealed the following -


 * 1. No request for any facilities in Laos have been made to the Department of State.


 * 2. No request has been made to the Department of State for obtaining an agreement to use facilities in Vietnam. However, there has been an exchange of correspondence (which has been handled by the Far East Region) in which Defense Department tried to utilize ICA funds to develop two airfields in Vietnam with a capability of handling jet aircraft.


 * 3. In January of 1956, the Defense Department wrote to State asking for the negotiation of an agreement which would give general overflight rights to U.S. forces and would permit the utilization by the Air Force of Don Muang airfield at Bangkok. Army communications and Air Force intelligence requirements were also included. No formal reply was received from the State Department, although we were advised informally that the political situation in Thailand precluded our obtaining the necessary rights.

Rh