192. Editorial Note
An internal Department of State memorandum on Communist aims in Southeast Asia, May 11, 1962, prepared by the Deputy Director of the Vietnam Task Force, Chalmers Wood, expressed the opinion that “the Russians think Communism can make gains without local wars. They will back wars of ‘National Liberation’ provided the risks are controllable.” The Chinese Communists, on the other hand, “think local wars are the best way to spread Communism and will accept higher risks.” The memorandum argued against holding an international conference with the Soviets and Chinese on Vietnam, asserting that U.S. participation in such a conference would be seen as an “act of weakness.” For text, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume II, pages 387–389.
Another internal Department of State memorandum, prepared about the same time by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, discussed the international implications of the Joint Chiefs of Staff proposal to establish a military “command structure for US forces being moved to Thailand and the Southeast Asian area in connection with the situation in Laos.” The memorandum contended that Moscow understood and gave credence to U.S. claims that its military buildup in Southeast Asia was for a limited purpose only, but that Peiping and Hanoi were “more directly concerned than Moscow, and we think they are more apt to view our assertions with a jaundiced eye.” For text, see ibid., pages 390–393.