I would like to join Mrs. Bolton and express my appreciation for the testimony that was presented to the committee this morning, and the fact that the statements were made available without being labeled "Secret" or "Confidential." I don't believe our AID program is getting enough attention in the press. We read a lot about our military activities in Vietnam but not enough of what the United States is doing in the economic, psychological, and political field. To that extent I am very happy that the chairman has agreed to permit the Subcommittee on the Far East and the Pacific to hold hearings after the Easter recess specifically on the question of U.S. activities in these fields-in Vietnam and southeast Asia. The hearings will be specifically limited to economic assistance and matters other than military. What we do and how well we use the lessons we learn in Vietnam is most important. I feel we can win military battles and still lose the political war. Then, too, our AID program is frequently severely criticized, therefore, it is refreshing to read where a person who has had an opportunity to learn about the AID program for example, in Vietnam, has nothing but praise for it. Mr. Chairman, I would like permission to insert in the record a letter that was sent to the USOM personnel in Vietnam by a resident of Wisconsin which I believe is indicative of the attitude of most Americans when they realize what we are doing there. Chairman MORGAN. Without objection, it is so ordered. (The letter of Maureen Rinzel, above referred to, is as follows:) "GERMANTOWN, WIS. "DEAR FELLOW AMERICANS: After reading an excellent article about the tremendous job the men of USOM are performing in Vietnam, I decided to take some time and extend my praise to you personally. All of you are doing work which certainly cannot be measured in true worth on this earth. It is through your actions and blood that the war in Vietnam shall be won; and as a fellow American my thoughts are constantly over there with you and my prayers are always behind you. "I think one has to be dedicated to the betterment of society before one can be truly convinced that all wars aren't won by bombs, militia, guns, etc. Being a teacher myself, I know what a great feeling it is to see a child grin from ear to ear over some accomplishment. Being a home economist, I see even better how the improving of the social and economical problems can open the door to a really better place a better Vietnam. This truly would be a great accomplishment. I, myself, hope that someday I can give my services such as you are doing. God love all of you; you're a great group of Americans. "Sincerely, "MAUREEN RINZEL." Mr. ZABLOCKI. Secretary Bundy, concerning the $28 million fund from the Philippine War Damage Claim Act to be used for joint education programs. I would appreciate if you would put in the record a statement how this money really should be used and a status report on the negotiation for its use? Mr. BUNDY. I am thoroughly familiar with it, of course. This is a matter that under the appropriate legislation calls for an agreement between the two Presidents on the use to be made of this money. We have put a broad memorandum of understanding, draft memorandum in front of the Philippine Government, and have not had their firm response. My understanding is that extensive efforts are underway in the Philippines to get a picture of what use it might go to as between pub lic universities and private universities, various types of projects that will fall within the spirit and intent of the provision. Just as soon as we get that draft memorandum worked out, we can proceed to wrap up the projects. How it will proceed from there I don't know. We are going to operate within the legal provisions that require ultimate consent by our President to the uses that are proposed. Mr. ZABLOCKI. Are we going to accede to the recommendations of the conference that the $28 million be made available to the Philippine Government for its sole programing? Mr. BUNDY. I don't think we have legal power to do so, nor would we think that would be a wise provision. This is a question where from to time the question of our depositing money in the interim without putting it under their control to assist them, the Treasury believes this is not within the powers as the money was appropriated, so this is not being done. Mr. ZABLOCKI. Mr. Chairman, just one brief question of Mr. Poats. At the top of page 12 of your statement you say that U.S. AID personnel are working in the rural areas of Laos. Can you tell the committee if any Lao Government personnel are working with AID and IVS personnel in these villages and what do they do? This you can supply for the record if you would. Thank you. (The information follows:) LAO GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL INVOLVEMENT IN VILLAGE CLUSTER PROGRAM AID community development advisers and IVS personnel work closely at provincial levels with provincial Governors and district officials in the development of rural programs. Tassangs, the equivalent of our elected township supervisors, and Naibans (village chiefs) are often the center of planning activity. Agents of several Royal Lao Government ministries provide services in the villages. Among these are the Agricultural Extension Service, the Lao Veterinary Service, the Forestry and Water Service, and the Public Works Department. In addition to the provision of teachers for the school system, the Education Ministry provides trained "basic educators" who work with villagers in the areas of adult education, sanitation, simple construction, and home economics. Public Health Ministry medics provide basic medical services. The Lao Army also runs some civic action programs in rural areas which are similar to those of the basic educators. One of the main objectives of the rural development program in Laos is to maintain and increase popular support for the Royal Lao Government. Lao officials are intimately involved in the direction of the program at all levels. An indication of the interest in this area is that the Prime Minister also holds the rural affairs portfolio. The Royal Lao Government is working rapidly to strengthen its extension programs in rural areas. Due to a lack of skilled manpower, many of these programs are currently on a pilot basis and do not yet cover all of Laos. In fact, Lao Government participation in development is actually more intensive in areas where a formal program such as the AID-assisted village cluster program operates. Chairman MORGAN. Mr. Bundy, in your annex at the back of your statement, the table for military assistance for fiscal year 1965, shows a total figure of $194.6 million. Is this a mistake? Mr. BUNDY. It certainly is. I will correct that as fast as I can add the column. Chairman MORGAN. Thank you, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Poats. The committee stands adjourned until 10 a.m., Tuesday morning. (Whereupon, at 1 p.m., the committee was adjourned, to reconvene at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, 1966.) О MAIN READING ROOM COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON H.R. 12449 A BILL TO AMEND FURTHER THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES AND H.R. 12450 A BILL TO PROMOTE THE FOREIGN POLICY, SECURITY, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE UNITED STATES BY ASSISTING PEOPLES OF THE WORLD IN THEIR EFFORTS TOWARD INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SECURITY 60--929 MARCH 29, 30, 31, AND APRIL 5, 1966 PART II Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1966 DEPOSITED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMER COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS THOMAS E. MORGAN, Pennsylvania, Chairman CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI, Wisconsin ARMISTEAD I. SELDEN, JR., Alabama L. H. FOUNTAIN, North Carolina JOHN C. CULVER, Iowa LEE H. HAMILTON, Indiana ROY H. McVICKER, Colorado FRANCES P. BOLTON, Ohio E. ROSS ADAIR, Indiana WILLIAM S. MAILLIARD, California J. IRVING WHALLEY, Pennsylvania E. Y. BERRY, South Dakota BOYD CRAWFORD, Staff Administrator FRANKLIN J. SCHUPP, Staff Consultant HELEN L. HASHAGEN, Staff Assistant MARY M. LALOS, Staff Assistant DORIS B. MCCRACKEN, Staff Assistant II UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTENTS LIST OF WITNESSES Heinz, Vice Adm. L. C., U.S. Navy, Director of Military Assistance, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Sharp, Adm. U. S. G., U.S. Navy, Commander in Chief, Pacific_____ Wednesday, March 30, 1966: McNamara, Hon. Robert S., Secretary of Defense. 265 Wheeler, Gen. Earle G., U.S. Army, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff 273, 276 349 Lemnitzer, Gen. Lyman L., Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Tuesday, April 5, 1966: Bronheim, David, Deputy U.S. Coordinator, Alliance for Progress, Gordon, Hon. Lincoln, Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Memorandum submitted by Department of Defense on cost of support for Republic of Korea soldier in the Republic of Vietnam__ Memorandum supplied by Department of Defense on United States and Vietcong casualties in South Vietnam and Vietcong killed in action____ Memorandum submitted by Department of Defense concerning the logis- tics situation in South Vietnam. Memorandum supplied by Department of Defense on infiltration from North Vietnam into South Vietnam.. Memorandum supplied by Defense Department on comparison of Cen- 400 371 Excerpts of statement by Hon. Robert S. McNamara on the outlook in South Vietnam (January 1, 1963 through January 1, 1966) __ _ _ Memorandum submitted by Defense Department on identification of new Memorandums supplied by Department of Defense on unidentified flying Memorandum supplied by Department of Defense on implementation of section 511(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.... 344-345 Memorandum submitted by Defense Department on the military assis- |