NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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ANNEX NO. 3
| INFORMATION ON THE FORMATION OF NATIONAL ARMIES OF THE ASSOCIATED STATES |
1. General Considerations. The organization and utilization of manpower in the non-Communist countries of Asia is possibly the key to the successful development of the security of Indochina and of Asia. In several years of warfare, the French have discovered that the Vietnamese fighting for Ho Chi Minh provided tough and persistent forces. The military campaign in Korea has demonstrated that Koreans can handle modern weapons and conduct sustained offensive and defensive operations. It may be presumed that Communist China, under the tutelage of often reported Soviet assistance, in developing integrated armies along modern lines. In addition, it would appear that Communist China has, for some time, actively benefited the North Korean armies and now is training and equipping the Viet Minh for operations in Indochina. The basic problem for the western powers is to find ways and means to utilize the manpower resources of Asia in order that the military forces of the west are not committed to actions in areas of limited or less strategic importance.
2. The French Position. On 17 August 1950, U.S. Ambassador Bruce, in Paris, reported to the Department of State that Premier Pleven, in discussing with him the situation in Indochina, had stated that (a) the only possible solution was to build up a strong and sufficient native army to make possible the gradual withdrawal of the French army for use
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