792.5 MSP/12–853: Telegram
No. 406
The Chargé in Thailand (Parsons) to the Department of State
1149. Re Embtels 1126, December 5,1 1139, December 7.
Part II of IV—STEM.
This message includes summary recommendations for STEM in paper Ambassador Donovan carrying.
Recently approved NSC policy statement2 provides STEM program larger than allocated for 1954 and larger than being considered for 1955.
Recommend additional operations in nature military support in view political unrest adjacent countries and decreasing Thai financial reserves.
Recommended program requires $8,850,000 in addition to funds allocated 1954 with following breakdown (in thousands of dollars).
Health projects $720, includes NE wells, hospital equipment and facilities and rural health with both psychological and military significance.
Highways $7,500 for highway Saraburi-Korat-Banphai of high strategic military significance.
Air transport $365, meteorological equipment, supplies and air navigation aids of high military significance.
Telecommunications $40, a survey to plan system needed for military use.
Waterways amount undetermined, survey in process; should include in 1955.
Vocational training for military personnel $75, to expand operations, train military personnel at institute of high military significance.
Documentary films $150, to inculcate additional “will to resist.”
In addition need furnish fiscal advisors inquire into use funds and material furnished. At same time, should bargain more before extending aid, that is, aid for individual projects should be extended only after agreements on satisfactory practices.
- Not printed.↩
- Reference is presumably to the NSC-approved portion of Document 403.↩