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Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3 NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011   Perhaps the most effective means of establishing Vietnamese confidence in the political and economic future of their country would be for the US to commit itself to a long range economic development program. Under peaceful circumstances, Vietnam would unquestionably be one of the most rapidly developing countries in the area, having the resources, both human and natural, to bring this about. Substantial amounts of additional US development grant assistance for long range projects can be effectively employed in Vietnam. The additional amounts would supplement current programs as well as those contemplated for FY 1962. They should in their aggregate serve to significantly accelerate the overall development of the Vietnamese economy and provide some additional social and physical infrastructure support.

While the following does not pretend to be a comprehensive long range development program, it unquestionably includes priority components of any sound long range program. Contingent upon the Vietnamese cooperation assistance could be directed into the following areas:

(a) - A 20 per cent increase of agricultural output is a feasible 5-year goal. Expanded extension service, additional agricultural credit facilities and greater use of fertilizer are called to meet this objective. Rh