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France's role therein, is to be continued. Further, they feel that, while French Indochina, Thailand, and/or Burma are being defended by other friendly nations, the role of the United States in support of such defense should be primarily military action against Communist China itself. This latter action should, of course, involve military support from the British and French as well as from other friendly nations, but should remain under the control of the United States.

20. It will be noted that the foregoing comments are in general limited to United States courses of action relative to Indochina, Thailand, and Burma. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider it premature for the National Security Council to attempt to decide now as to the military courses of action which would be taken with respect to Malaya, Indonesia, or in the Southwest Pacific in the event the integrity of any of these is directly threatened by foreign aggression which could only follow aggression in Indochina and/or Burma. Accordingly, in the event that the Chinese Communists threaten Malaya or Indonesia, the United States should then, in the light of the world situation generally and the situation in the Far East specifically at that time, consider the military measures it might tale as a part of a United Nations collective action or in conjunction with the United Kingdom and any other friendly governments.

21. In the light of all the foregoing, the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that the National Security Council consider:


 * . Whether the United States, unilaterally, if necessary, would be willing to extend the war to the forces and territory of Communist China in event of Communist Chinese military aggression in Southeast Asia;


 * . Whether the United States should insist that French Indochina, Thailand, and/or Burma be defended by other friendly nations and that the role of the United States in support of such defense be primarily military action against Communist China itself; and


 * . Failing freedom of action against Communist China itself, United States policy should limit United States military operations to those necessary to cover and assist possible forced evacuation of the French and/or the British from their positions.

22. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have a number of substantive and specific comments with respect to the statements of policy Rh