S/S–NSC files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 5429 Series
Memorandum by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson)1
Subject:
- Current U.S. Policy Toward the Far East (NSC 5429/3)2
- 1.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff submit herewith their comments regarding a draft statement of policy titled “Current U.S. Policy Toward the Far East” (NSC 5429/3), prepared by the National Security Council Planning Board for consideration by the National Security Council at their meeting on 1 December 1954. The proposed policy, if adopted, is intended to supersede NSC 5429/2 and to guide the implementation of all other existing Far East policies, pending Planning Board and Council review and revision of these more particular policies.
- 2.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff are of the opinion that the draft statement
of policy, if adopted, would constitute a comprehensive policy for the
Far East as a whole and would provide adequate guidance for the
formulation of subsidiary policies relating to specific countries or
areas of the Far East. The following comments are addressed to those
bracketed portions of the paper having military implications:
- a.
- Paragraph 2. Recommend retention of the bracketed sentence as a fair appraisal of the instability inherent in any police state which must depend upon force for the continued existence of the regime.
- b.
- Subparagraph 4 c. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that
while subparagraph 4 c is acceptable as written, this
subparagraph is not a clear statement of an objective toward
Communist China. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the
policy paper should include an objective toward Communist China
and propose that subparagraph 4 c be modified to read as
follows:
The reduction of Chinese Communist power and prestige with the objective of securing by reorientation a government on the mainland of China whose objectives do not conflict with the vital interests of the United States.
- c.
- Subparagraph 4 e. It is considered that the objective expressed in this subparagraph is wholly consistent with United States basic objectives and should be retained.
- d.
- Paragraph 7. Recommend deletion. The measures proposed in this paragraph would grant the Chinese Communists far-reaching concessions, while relying upon the as yet undemonstrated good faith of that regime for the fulfillment of agreements reached in the negotiations. Experience in Korea and currently in Indochina with respect to the armistice terms provides ample evidence that the Communists will distort, evade, or violate any agreements when it suits their purposes to do so. Specifically, it would be highly unrealistic to expect that the Chinese Communists, with their present orientation, would abandon their subversive efforts in South Vietnam or elsewhere in Asia, regardless of any commitments assumed by them.
- e.
(1) Paragraph 8. The bracketed phrase should be deleted if the proposed paragraph 7 is not adopted.
[Page 994](2) Subparagraph 8c. From a strictly military point of view, a trade control program such as that outlined in the right column, which would impose maximum restrictions on trade with the Soviet Bloc and particularly with Communist China, would be most desirable. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recognize that the feasibility of certain of the courses of action outlined in the right column is uncertain in view of existing free world trade agreements and other economic and political considerations. By separate memorandum dated 12 November 1954, “Review of Basic National Security Policy”,3 the Joint Chiefs of Staff advised you that more positive measures are necessary in the implementation of NSC 162/2. Additionally, they stated, “It is considered that the timely achievement of the broad objective of U.S. security policy cannot be brought about if the United States is required to defer to the counsel of the most cautious among our Allies or if it is unwilling to undertake certain risks inherent in the adoption of dynamic and positive security measures.” Accordingly, the Joint Chiefs of Staff favor the adoption of the proposal in the right column.
(3) Subparagraph 8d. While there are certain risks inherent in the actions proposed in this subparagraph, the Joint Chiefs of Staff feel that, in the execution of these actions, it should be feasible to keep such risks within manageable proportions. For this reason they recommend that the bracketed phrase not be adopted.
- f.
- Subparagraph 10b. The Joint Chiefs of Staff perceive no objection to the retention of this subparagraph in the proposed statement of policy.
- 3.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that, subject to the foregoing comments, the provisions of the draft policy statement and of Annex “A” thereto are acceptable from the military point of view.
- 4.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff desire to point out that they have had less than three days to formulate their views on this draft statement of a most important national policy. They consider that this national policy is dependent, in large degree, on the Basic National Security Policy of the United States, now being reviewed by the National Security Council. Until a final decision is reached on the Basic National Security Policy, the views contained herein should be considered as tentative only.
Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff