NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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- (7) Military, political, psychological measures which should be taken in addition to those which have already been adopted to defeat the Viet Minh forces are under continuous study. The military discussions which were held with military representatives of France, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand are referred to in paragraph (7a) above. In the field of psychological warfare the United States helped in the preparation of pamphlets and the Air Force loaned an aircraft specially equipped to make low altitude broadcasts. The French have very recently tried this out over Viet Minh controlled areas with results which they felt justified then in asking for a further loan of the aircraft.
- (8) In conversions in Washington in June 1952 representatives of the Department of State discussed with the French Minister for the Associated States the desirability of bringing about a better understanding of what had been done to bring independence to the Associated States. The American representatives suggested that the French draw up and publicize a sort of balance sheet which would show what had been done and what progress was being made. No definite decisions on means of cooperating with the French in publicizing developments were reached. As a general rule it has seemed appropriate for publicity regarding Indochina to emanate from French sources or from representatives or the Associated States. The Information Services of the United States Government have been able to give some publicity to developments by giving wider distribution to statements of responsible political leaders regarding progress and future plans. The Minister of the Associated States pointed to the difficulty of convincing leaders and their people in certain countries of Asia such as India, where there is a strong feeling that European nations should withdraw from any countries of Asia no matter what the circumstances. Throughout these conversations he reiterated his conviction that the solution to the problems of Indochina was as much political as military.
(9a) The implementation of this paragraph of NSC 124/2 has been of constant concern to the Department of Defense and State. To furnish urgently needed aid for the campaign against the Viet Minh at the outset of the dry season in October 1952, the United states continued delivery on a priority basis second only to Korea of arms, equipment and material for the forces of the French Union including those of the Associated States. The United States cooperated in arrangements which made possible the doubling of the transport aircraft available to the French High Command at that time in order that parachute drops at an increased tempo and size might be possible as a part of a general scheme of offensive action. Nevertheless, the enemy seized the initiative in October 1952. The planes which have been furnished for offensive purposes proved invaluable in ensuring airlift to the beleaguered post of Na San. The brilliant defense of that improvised fortress afforded an opportunity
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