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 TOP SECRET :. Provide flexible economic and technical assistance as necessary to attain U. S. objectives.


 * . Encourage measures to improve the climate for private investment, both domestic and foreign, and to mobilize the maximum investment of U. S. private capital in the area consistent with the prevailing climate.


 * . Encourage United Nations agencies, other Colombo Plan countries, and other friendly countries to contribute available resources to promote the economic growth of Southeast Asia.


 * . Encourage the Southeast Asian countries to orient their economies in the direction of the Free World and to rely primarily on non-Communist markets and sources of supply for trade, technicians, capital development, and atomic development.


 * . In carrying out programs involving disposal of U. S. agricultural surpluses abroad:


 * (1) Give particular attention to the economic vulnerabilities of the Southeast Asian countries and avoid, to the maximum extent practicable, detracting from the ability of these countries to market their own exportable produce.


 * (2) Give particular emphasis to the use of the resources to promote multilateral trade and economic development.


 * . Promote as appropriate the expansion of trade relationships between the United States and the countries of Southeast Asia.


 * . Take advantage of adverse local reactions to Communist barter agreements with countries in the area by demonstrating the advantages to these countries of conducting trade on a multilateral commercial basis.

23. Make a special, sustained effort to help educate an expanding number of technically competent, pro-Western civilian and military leaders, working bilaterally, through the United Nations, with the other Colombo Plan countries and with other friendly countries. Stress the development of potential and secondary leadership to support the thin stratum of elite now administering the central governments and bring to their support modern technique and technology in public information and organization. Rh NSC 5809