3. Memorandum from General Lemnitzer to McNamara, JCSM–236–61, April 131
SUBJECT
- Bolivian Request for a Bilateral Agreement (U)
1. In a memorandum for the Director, Joint Staff, 1–10328/60, of 16 December 1960, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA), forwarded a proposal of the Government of Bolivia for a Permanent Military Assistance Agreement and requested recommendations on the feasibility and advisability of the United States entering into such an agreement.
2. Military assistance for internal security is presently being furnished Bolivia as a result of a Presidential determination. Under the present law, this determination must be made annually.
[Typeset Page 8]3. Bolivia is a land-locked republic of about three million people. The country is one of the most highly mineralized areas of the world and its economy is based on mining. However, it is an exceedingly poor country, having one of the lowest standards of living in Latin America. The strength of the Bolivian ground forces is 16,400 men, including a standing army of 11,500 men and Carabineros of 4,900 men, according to latest intelligence information.
4. US Ambassador Strom, in May 1960, indicated that the Bolivian Armed Forces have demonstrated a capacity to contribute to the economic and social welfare of the country. In reply to a query, CINCARIB expressed the opinion that the United States can depend on pro-US orientation of the Bolivian Armed Forces and that the present Bolivian administration can administer a military assistance agreement.
5. Recent events in Cuba have made abundantly clear the necessity for the United States to assist friendly Latin American countries in preserving their internal security. In many countries, the only thing which prevents a rapid takeover by the communists is the military. It is, therefore, in the national interest of the United States to support and, when necessary, fund programs connected with civic action and the maintenance of internal security.
[Facsimile Page 2]6. Authority for the Civic Action Program is provided in Section 105 b (5) of the Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended. Commanders of unified commands and selected US Diplomatic Missions have been advised of the current Civic Action Program in a joint State-Defense-ICA message. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recently indicated their support of these programs in JCSM–110–61, dated 28 February 1961.
7. In view of the foregoing, the Joint Chiefs of Staff conclude that.
a. Because of the geography, military potential of the country, and the economic situation, Bolivia cannot make a meaningful external military contribution to the common defense of the Western Hemisphere. Bolivia’s contribution to hemispheric defense generally is limited to internal security and the defense of its national boundaries. A permanent bilateral military assistance agreement which would envisage the commitment of Bolivian forces outside of Bolivia is, therefore, not advisable.
b. It is advisable for the United States to participate in an agreement with the Government of Bolivia which would contain provisions for military assistance to facilitate the maintenance of internal security and in furtherance of civic action programs.
c. Policy and authority exist to permit assistance in the furtherance of a civic action program in Bolivia.
d. It is legal to enter into a Permanent Military Assistance Agreement with Bolivia; however, funding for internal security is subject to annual Presidential determination.
[Typeset Page 9]8. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that.
a. Bilateral negotiations should be undertaken immediately with the Government of Bolivia on a Military Assistance Agreement to cover internal security and civic action programs.
[Facsimile Page 3]b. Until authority is granted to provide military assistance to Bolivia for internal security other than by Presidential determination, such assistance be continued by annual Presidential determination.
For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Bolivian request for a bilateral agreement. Secret. 3 pp. WNRC, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, Bolivia, 1961, 000.1.↩