190. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson)1
SUBJECT
- Training of Cambodian Armed Forces
- 1.
- Reference is made to a letter from the Secretary of State to the Deputy Secretary of Defense on the above subject, dated 15 February 1955.2 The letter was passed to me by the Deputy Secretary of Defense so that I might obtain the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the formula for the problem of training Cambodian armed forces suggested therein by Secretary Dulles.
- 2.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that the formula proposed by
the Secretary of State be revised as follows:
- a.
- Amend paragraph 1 as follows:
“1. By agreement with the Cambodian Government, the Chief of US MAAG in Cambodia would be designated by the United States and the King of Cambodia as the 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 through him the Chief of the French training mission, on:
- a.
- the doctrine and procedures for the utilization of US funds and equipment by Cambodian armed forces;
- b.
- the force goals, costs structure, and military mission of Cambodian forces for which US funds and equipment are to be provided.”
- b.
- Delete paragraphs 2 and 3, and substitute the following as
paragraph 2:
“2. It should be formally agreed in writing by the Cambodian Government that responsibility for organizing and training the Cambodian Army shall be delegated to the Chief, US MAAG, and further that the Cambodian Government shall provide that the French training mission shall carry out such directions as the Chief, US MAAG, in the name of the King, shall duly transmit to him.”
- c.
- Renumber paragraph 4 as paragraph 3 and change as follows:
“3. 4. 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 of US MAAG could ultimately recommend to the US Ambassador and US Ambassador and US Government [Page 432] through the US Ambassador the withdrawal of US equipment and funds for training Cambodian armed forces.”
- d.
- Insert a new paragraph 4 as follows:
“4. The Cambodian Government should agree further that it intends to request the progressive withdrawal of French instructors and technicians as their services become no longer required.”