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should seek to impress upon the French the necessity and desirability of granting the Associated States ever-increasing responsibilities with respect to expansion of their economic, political and military potentialities.

4. The U.S. Ambassador to Indochina has reported that the French and Vietnamese are in general agreement on the necessity of expanding the Vietnamese Army by some 57 light battalions involving approximately 40,000 troops. The details on financing and the degree of autonomy and military responsibility to be allowed the Vietnamese Army have yet to be decided. It is envisaged that these additional battalions will provide the Franco-Vietnamese forces with sufficient strength to undertaken effective offensive action in Vietminh-held territory. It is the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that this augmentation of the Vietnamese Army is one of the most important and feasible actions that can be taken to Improve the situation in Indochina and that United States support of the program should be undertaken as necessary upon receipt of definite planning data from the French.

5. The addition of another squadron of transport aircraft would materially aid offensive operations by providing increased troop-carrier and supply support capabilities.

6. The report of the ad hoc committee, formed in accordance with your memorandum for the Joint Secretaries dated 19 January 1953 and which considered the foregoing projects has a final conclusion:

""The final determination of the feasibility of implementation of the augmentation of Vietnamese forces cannot be accomplished until receipt of a concrete proposal from the French Government.""

The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the French should be encouraged to expedite the submission of such proposals in order that the United States may take steps to provide such aid as may be deemed appropriate. In this connection the Joint Chiefs of Staff indicated in a memorandum for you, dated 11 February 1953, that plans now under consideration to expand the Republic of Korea Army may introduce some competing requirements, primarily in non-critical items. However, certain ammunition requirements could be both critical and competing.

7. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the augmentation mentioned above should be energetically prosecuted and financially supported in order that the Franco-Vietnamese forces will be able to undertake offensive operations during the 1953-54 dry season.

Rh