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6. In addition to the foregoing general recommendation, the Joint Chiefs of Staff would make the following specific recommendation regarding that part of the third paragraph of the subject paper headed REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS which states:

""For the United States to underwrite a regional coalition including Japan, the Philippines, Australia and Hew Zealand does not increase American commitments; we must accept responsibility for assisting in the defense of these powers against aggression.""

The Joint Chiefs of Staffs from the military point of view, disagree in principle with such a single far-flung regional arrangement and do not concur in the statement that American commitments would not be increased by underwriting such a coalition. The Joint Chiefs of Staff would from the military point of view agree to appropriate military arrangements between nations in Southeast Asia capable of effective mutual support.

7. The Joint Chiefs of Staff desire to reaffirm their views on this subject as transmitted by the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of State on 14 April, and reemphasize the need for immediate consideration and implementation of an integrated and effective U.S. course of action for Southeast Asia.

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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