711.56392/5–1354: Telegram
No. 419
The Secretary of
State to the Under Secretary of State (Smith), at Geneva1
Tedul 61. Limit distribution. Reference Bangkok’s 2242 repeated Geneva Tedul2 recommending negotiation leased base agreement with Thailand and deployment F84G Fighter Wing.
This question discussed OCB May 12 and agreement reached, which approved by Secretary, that immediate informal exploration subject should be made with Thai Govt. Subsequently Radford requested that Joint Chiefs be given three or four days to study question, and we are informed Radford entertains strong reservations regarding advisability allocating above-mentioned aviation equipment to Thailand and “immobilizing it” there. Joint Chiefs currently studying this question in conjunction possible increase Thai Army ninety thousand and construction Saraburi-Ban Phai Highway, viewing these developments in terms total situation and availabilities both military and financial. Consequently, will delay approach Thai Govt pending conclusions Joint Chiefs. This subject will probably also be discussed NSC early date.
Desire have benefit your views leaving to you decision whether desirable discuss informally with Thai Foreign Minister at Geneva. [Page 712] In this connection on May 11 Chief of Thai General Staff3 Bangkok was reported by press to have offered in behalf his Govt to grant military bases in Thailand to free world specifying that prior agreement on terms and conditions should be reached with nations concerned. Bangkok Embassy has not confirmed as yet.
- Repeated to Bangkok as telegram 2227.↩
- Document 417.↩
- Gen. Dej Dejpradiyudh, Chief of Defense General Staff.↩