790.001/11–950: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices 1
136. Chi commie invasion Tibet,2 aggressive broadcasts aimed at Nepal, armed invasion North Korea, and known assistance Ho Chi Minh regime IC probably causing Asian countries reevaluate commie threat to themselves. Most Asian nations preoccupied with evils [Page 158] colonialism and have minimized communism. Foregoing developments offer opportunity bring into focus commie menace to Govt to which accredited using IC as example where colonialism making exit and commie entrance.
As powers being transferred to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia under orderly agreements with France part of IC nationalist movement was captured by commie Viet Minh. Viet Minh have disrupted progressive development independence IC nations under regularly constituted govts and have obscured threat of communism by magnifying evils colonialism inherent in remaining joint Fr-Vietnam opposition. Similar attempts unsuccessfully made Burma, Philippines and Indonesia but more successful IC because of commie Chi support.
US IC policy supports legitimate nationalist aspirations while opposing communism. US record Philippines and Indonesia demonstrates success such policy in other Asian nations. In IC US not supporting Fr colonialism but orderly withdrawal Fr controls and establishment nationalist govts within Fr Union in accordance voluntary agreements between States and Fr. US consequently extending mil and econ assistance to States and Fr to enable Fr hold back communism and enable States establish themselves against continuing commie effort.
US believes other Asian nations cannot remain neutral toward communism as neutrality amounts to supine acceptance commie domination and is regarded as weakness by enemy. All non-commie nations shld re-appraise communism and prepare support each other against enemy. For instance the non-commie nationalist States IC need sympathetic understanding and material support all free nations. Failure to secure such support may lead to their fall and provide corridor for extension commie menace other nations.