Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume VIII, National Security Policy

102. Memorandum From the President’s Military Representative (Taylor) to President Kennedy⁰

Washington, July 30, 1962.

SUBJECT

• Counterinsurgency Activities of the United States Government

You have requested a comprehensive progress report from all agencies concerned with counterinsurgency activities. The detailed reports have been submitted to the Special Group (Counterinsurgency) and are transmitted under cover of this memorandum.¹ It is divided into two parts: General Activities of the Special Group (CI), and summary statements from the individual departments and agencies on their accomplishments in this field since January 1961. A separate report on covert activities in support of counterinsurgency is being presented to you under special security procedures.² It is proposed to submit similar progress reports every six months, with the next one due January 1, 1963.

I. General Activities of the Special Group (CI)

Establishment of the Special Group (CI)

The Special Group for Counterinsurgency was established on January 18, 1962 to assure the integrated and most effective use of all available resources to prevent and resist subversive insurgency and related forms of indirect aggression in friendly countries. While the Special Group (CI) has ranged far and wide in its review of U.S. counterinsurgency activities, certain major functional categories stand out. These are doctrine, organization, training, research and development, paramilitary assets, country internal defense plans, foreign training, and civic action.

A. Doctrine

In order to reach agreement on the nature of the problem, to establish common objectives, and to assign tasks to the various departments and agencies, it became necessary at the outset to formulate doctrine and policy guidance. The Department of State in collaboration with the other departments and agencies concerned has prepared a statement of national doctrine, which is presently under consideration by the Special Group (CI).³

In developing doctrine, the need for established definitions for the principal terms involved became apparent. Interagency acceptance of an agreed terminology has served to clarify roles and missions between agencies in the field of counterinsurgency.

B. Departmental Organization for Counterinsurgency

The Special Group (CI) is reviewing the counterinsurgency organization of the respective departments and agencies concerned with these activities. Each department and agency concerned has identified a focal point at the senior level for the coordination of counterinsurgency activities. A chart setting forth the organization for counterinsurgency at the national level is attached to this memorandum.⁴

C. Training

A review of the adequacy of training in the counterinsurgency field was undertaken by the Special Group (CI). A recent tabulation of existing and projected training courses indicates that approximately 50,000 officer grade personnel will receive training in the coming year. A five-week interagency course for senior personnel has completed its first session at the Foreign Service Institute. The War Colleges, service schools, and the civilian agencies have established special courses on counterinsurgency.

At all levels of instruction, government training institutions concerned with foreign affairs or military training have, where appropriate, included significant segments on counterinsurgency in their curricula. A permanent subcommittee on training has been established by the Special Group (CI). The Secretary of State has proposed a National Academy for Foreign Affairs, which, if approved, will absorb the five-week interagency course mentioned above.

D. Research and Development for Counterinsurgency

The greatest possible use is being made of South Viet-Nam as a laboratory for technicians and equipment related to the counterinsurgency program. An intense effort is being made to spread the experience acquired in South Viet-Nam, particularly in the Armed Forces. In Washington, a joint DOD/CIA committee is reviewing all United States Research and Development activities related to counterinsurgency to ensure that our current effort is adequate. A final report⁵ will be ready toward the end of the year.

E. Review of Paramilitary Assets

Almost a year ago at the termination of the Cuban Study Group, it was decided to make a review of the paramilitary assets of the U.S. and of the likely paramilitary requirements. This review resulted in a series of studies covering U.S. forces and indigenous paramilitary forces world-wide. A final report, setting forth U.S. needs in this field, has been submitted, and a directive issued to appropriate departments to take corrective action relative to the noted deficiencies.

F. Country Internal Defense Plans

At the time of its establishment, the President assigned three countries (Viet-Nam, Laos, and Thailand) to the cognizance of the Special Group (CI). Subsequently, eight other countries (Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Iran) have been added because of the potential counterinsurgency situation within them. The Department of State has directed Chiefs of Mission to develop country internal defense plans. These plans will be reviewed by the Special Group (CI) during the first week of September. In the meantime, one plan—that for Colombia—has been approved and returned to the Ambassador for discussion with the host government and subsequent implementation. Another, a preliminary plan for Thailand, has been received and is under consideration.

The Group monitors the implementation of counterinsurgency programs in the countries assigned to it, through bi-weekly meetings with the Director of the Southeast Asia Task Force, meetings with Chiefs of Mission at such times as they are in Washington, and through periodic status reports prepared by the Department of State.

G. Police Training

U.S. supported police programs in selected countries are scrutinized by the Special Group (CI) as one of the important elements of the counterinsurgency effort. Related to this activity has been the establishment at Fort Davis, Panama Canal Zone, of a police academy for the training of Latin American students. The first class, which began July 2, consists of sixty-three students drawn from 15 Latin American countries.

H. Civic Action

In the period under discussion the Special Group (CI) has encouraged greater emphasis on civic action based on the use of military forces for economic and social development. AID, together with the Department of Defense, conducted surveys in Latin America, the Far East and Near East; developed a new funding formula; and expanded the program during the fiscal year 1962. New programs in twelve countries were initiated, and the program level increased by approximately 8 million dollars. The program involved a broad range of activities in such fields as health, education, construction, agriculture, and irrigation. For fiscal year 1963 the program is to be expanded further. It is expected that the new level will be approximately 20 million dollars, to be funded approximately equally from military and economic aid resources.

Chairman, Special Group (CI)

Maxwell D. Taylor

⁶

0. Source: Department of State, Special Group (CI) Files: Lot 68 D 451, Special Group (CI) 1/1/62-7/31/62. Secret. Attached to an undated covering note from U. Alexis Johnson to the President. Also attached to the note is a similar memorandum from Taylor to the President dated June 2.
1. Not attached.
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3. The final version of this paper is summarized in Document 106.
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6. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.