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5. It was pointed out that this policy statement is now before the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Secretaries within the Department of Defense. The meeting today specifically did not consider the question of a commitment of U.S. armed forces since that question is beyond its authority and since the draft statement contains a policy statement on this question. It was the consensus of the meeting that the draft policy statement is quite adequate, even in the light of the deteriorating military situation which had been anticipated in the formulation of this draft statement. The meeting felt that the nub of the Indochina problem is this — "Can the French stabilize the military situation long enough to increase their troop strength sufficiently to match and overcome the rapidly growing manpower superiority of the Viet Minh?" Accordingly, the increase in available manpower is the primary need in Indochina, The draft statement of NSC policy addresses itself mainly to this problem. It was Mr. Lacy's opinion that this policy statement should be processed just as rapidly as possible.

6. General Malony emphasized the greatly increased importance of the forthcoming military staff talks with the French in the Far East; they may generate an invigorated determination to take the necessary measures to hold Indochina within the free world. The meeting felt that these talks should concentrate on Indochina and be held as soon as possible. Accordingly, it is necessary to obtain NSC consideration of Indochina shortly.

K. T. Young

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