187. Draft Memorandum for the President1
Washington, February 14,
1955.
SUBJECT
- Military Assistance and Training for Cambodian Armed Forces
- 1.
- The rapid modernization of the security forces in Cambodia, Laos and Viet-Nam is an important US objective. The security of those states is essential to the security of Southeast Asia particularly Thailand and Malaya. It is desirable that the US, France and the Governments of Cambodia, Laos, and Viet-Nam agree on effective programs of military assistance and training. Agreement has been satisfactorily reached in Viet-Nam. There will probably not be much of a problem in Laos. However, Cambodia presents an acute problem because the French oppose a US training mission.
- 2.
- In May 1954, the Cambodian Government requested US military assistance and training. They have since repeated that request, and we have indicated to France and to Cambodia our readiness to undertake a training mission, as well as direct financial support. The French have strongly reacted against our negotiations with the Cambodians for a military assistance agreement. We are not pressing for completion of the negotiations at this time, pending a resolution of the problem. Meanwhile the French are trying to get in ahead of us by pressuring the Cambodians to sign up with them, to the exclusion of US direction of training but with US financing of the costs. It is probable that no French Government will agree to hand over the exclusive responsibility for training to the US in Cambodia. Their prestige is too much at stake. Accordingly some compromise formula must be found.
- 3.
- The Cambodian armed forces will depend exclusively on the US for funds and equipment. The French do not propose to provide them. On the other hand the French now have a training mission in Cambodia. It will be difficult to find enough French-speaking American officers and enlisted men to perform the training function. Accordingly, both the French and the Americans have need for each other in Cambodia for training purposes.
- 4.
- Under these circumstances the following is a possible compromise
formula:
- a.
- The Chief of US MAAG in
Cambodia would be designated the principal military adviser
to the King of Cambodia who is Commander in Chief of the
Cambodian armed forces. The Chief of US MAAG would advise the King,
and in effect the Chief of the French training mission on:
- 1)
- the utilization of US funds and equipment in Cambodia;
- 2)
- the force goals, costs, structure, and mission of Cambodian forces for which US funds and equipment are to be provided.
- b.
- The French training mission under a French general officer would remain in Cambodia to conduct the day-to-day training operation of Cambodian units and personnel according to the advice and doctrines given to the King by the US MAAG Chief and accepted by him for the training of Cambodian forces. The US MAAG would have authority to observe the day-to-day training operations and make recommendations and suggestions to the French training mission and to the King.
- c.
- The US MAAG would maintain exclusive control over US funds and equipment. If US recommendations and suggestions as to doctrine and procedure for the development of Cambodian armed forces were not followed, the Chief US MAAG could ultimately recommend to the US Ambassador and US Government the withdrawal of US equipment and funds for training Cambodian armed forces.
- 5.
- This formula would be similar to the present arrangements in Viet-Nam except that the French instructors would not be under the direction of the US MAAG. It would also be similar to possible arrangements in Laos where the US is prohibited by the Geneva Accords from undertaking a training function, and where the French have the responsibility for training.
- 6.
- The above formula for Cambodia has not been discussed with the Department of Defense. It proposes to send the Chief of MAAG designate, Brig. Gen. George Lodoen, and three officers to Cambodia on temporary detail to review the situation.
Recommendation
I recommend that we explore working out arrangements on the basis of the above formula, and General Lodoen be sent to Cambodia to work out an agreement on the spot among the French, Americans and Cambodians.