751G.5 MSP/1–253: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Sturm) to the Department of State
423. Repeated information Paris 205, Saigon 318. In response Embassy–STEM telegram indicating concern re high cost estimate each centralized village (Contel 366, December 11)1 Hanoi STEM representative and I called today on Governor Tri and his US aid director to discuss matter. Tri said his services had just completed initial studies for first pilot village and that accordingly he would be able provide concrete details hitherto lacking.
Site selected is Dong-Quang, about thirty kilometers due south Hanoi in Hadong province at point roughly equidistant from Hung-Yen province to east, troubled Phu-Ly to south and VM-infested limestone formations to west. Plot is triangle bordered on two sides by river and on third by irrigation canal, 100 hectares in area and now containing two hamlets. It is planned to group there 20 or 25 villages within radius of three or four kilometers of center, with ultimate population of 1,000 families or about 10,000 persons. Part of land to be occupied by construction is communal rice paddies for which no indemnity required. No allowance made in estimates below for condemnation any private lands. Existing villages which would be relocated on site are small and in most cases have been built and rebuilt during course of war. Tri thinks there will be no problem in attracting dwellers to new center in view security and services latter will offer; site chosen purposely to be defensible but close by troubled areas.
Estimates given us this morning total 6,500,000 piastres, broken down as follows: five kilometers roadway 800,000; electrification (installing underground generator now on hand and wiring) 500,000; defensive posts and other protective devices 820,000; public buildings including infirmary, information center, post office, library and meeting hall 600,000; school for five classes 150,000; market and slaughter house 300,000; public stables and granaries 400,000; drainage, sanitation and wells 500,000. In addition each of 1,000 families would be [Page 340] granted 2,000 piastres toward cost of own dwelling which they would construct themselves. Not included are costs of work animals, tools, seed or relief goods which might be provided under STEM programs now operative.
Tri said this center would take at least six months to complete and he wishes experiment to be concluded in all phases before embarking on further similar projects. He said also he thought funds to build this center, all of which will be requested of STEM, should be available from the counterpart credits recently turned back to national committee. After this pilot village is completed and lessons learned he wishes proceed construct one in each of fifteen other delta provinces. Over-all scheme appears have been reduced more modest proportions since it calls now for only four centers Hadong province instead of 36 mentioned earlier. Principal defensive positions would be occupied by Bao-Chinh-Doan and secondary posts by militia, all defense forces totaling about two companies.
STEM officer and I both believe estimates may be somewhat low and for first essay 10 million piastres should be set aside, subject to continuing review. I recommend in strongest terms that general approval be given to project and that Governor Tri be authorized proceed, details and final figures to be subject to discussion. This is project especially dear to him and he feels its initiation indispensable in what he calls “crucial year 1953.” Linares has told me some such plan would be invaluable adjunct to military operations and that only cost has given him pause. Strong US backing this project will give new point and direction to aid in Tonkin as well as instill vote of confidence in new regional administration.
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