Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

792.5 MSP/12–2453

No. 411
Memorandum by Frederick E. Nolting, Jr., Acting Special Assistant to the Secretary for Mutual Security Affairs, to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Nash)

secret

Washington, January 15, 1954.

Subject:

• Thailand Highway to Northeastern Plateau.

Ambassador William J. Donovan has requested that approval be sought for the construction, under FOA supervision, of an urgently needed segment of highway in Thailand which would link the central plains system with that of the area adjacent to the scene of Viet Minh aggression in Laos. The only connecting link at present is an inadequate single-track railroad. This segment of proposed highway is included in the five-year Thai Government highway scheme but several years would elapse according to the plan under discussion between the Thai Government and the International Bank before it would be constructed.

There is attached a joint Embassy-STEM–MAAG message from Bangkok, No. 1280,¹ which selects this section from the general highway scheme for immediate construction, stating that the absence of this highway section could seriously endanger successful military operations in northeastern Thailand and that U.S. construction of this highway would provide greater psychological impact than any other possible project to encourage Thai willingness and ability to resist Communist aggression.

In a committee discussion of this subject at FOA on December 29, 1953, Ambassador Donovan stated that he had discussed the project with you and had reached an understanding that if State approved for political and psychological reasons and then sought the views of Defense, you would be prepared to support the construction of the highway for military reasons. At this time FOA desires the approval of the Departments of State and Defense for planning purposes, as construction should be launched during the current dry season if the project is finally approved.

The Department of State has studied the question and has approved the project for planning purposes, the substantive details to be developed by FOA and Defense. It would be appreciated if you would consider the project from the point of view of Defense and indicate your views both to State and FOA.²

Frederick E. Nolting, Jr.

1. Not printed. (792.5 MSP/12–2453)
2. Vice Adm. Arthur C. Davis, Director of the Office of Foreign Military Affairs, replied in a memorandum to Nolting, Feb. 1, that the Department of Defense considered that the construction of the highway would enhance Thailand’s military capability and hence supported the proposal, subject to the understanding that the funds were available to the Foreign Operations Administration and would not be diverted from funds programmed for military end-items. (792.5/2–154)