TOPICS OF POSSIBLE DISCUSSION WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR TO LAOS, J. GRAHAM PARSONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02876648
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2019
• Case Number: F-2019-00226
• Publication Date: October 1, 1957

Approved for Release: 2019/09/12 CO2876648
7
0112FLUM FOR, Director of Central Intelligence
VIA; Deputy Director (Plans)
SUBJECT: Topics of Possible Dif3C143ait)11 With U 3. Ambaseador
to Laos, J. Graham Parsons
We have surenarized below for consideration of the Director
of Central Intelligence topics of possible diecuesion with the, U.S.
knbassador to Laos, The Honorable J. Graham Parsons, on 4 October.
2. Operation Brotherhood. Ibile the base 1V-Itt and four pro..
v4.,...ncial teams continue setivitiee as before, Operation Brotherhooa
is being partially integrated with the Civic Action pregram to proe
vide medical instruction to Civic Action personnel icit budgeted
to cover most of the costa of this activity in Fr ,1958 but has not
yet detex*Ttined the exact extent of its strpport, pending reecesaandee
tions floe ICA/Lace on the breakdown of funds for the various
projects within its overall Laos budget, (Ambassador Parsons' in--
nuance over ICA/Lace planning is, of course, eingolerly important.)
FS Divisions budget for this program is near depletion. Ez
sion has maintained that support of Operation Brotherhood is not
clearly within the scope of CIA responsibilities.
3 Civic Action. Of the first four teame graduated from the
Civic action Training School., one is in the field and the others
were scheduled for assignment.. In September 1957, inclueling one to
each of the disputed provinces of Phong Sal' and Sat Nene. The
second training class of 90 student* is in process. ICA has pro-
vided for most of the costa of this. program in its FY 195a budget -
but, as with Coeration Brotherhood, the extent of projected support
has not yet been defined. Although CM accepted action responsibile
ity for the formative stages of Civic Action, FS Division believes
that this program., like Operation Brotherhood, should not be
sustained largely by CIA and has advised Vientiane Station to pro-
ceed with an orderly transfer to ICA of support riseponsibilitiee
for both programs, in accordance with previous understanding.
h. Auto-Defense. Progress in tut-o-'-Defense activities has
been retarded of late by the confinement of operations to defens-
ive action,in response to Prime Minister Souvanaa Phaumain
and by GIA, personnel probiernei which have reduced the CIA team
3/ to this project. FE in seeking a 1"finking -
offizer c:-'ir-ct tais program to rrialce IlX0-1.=;71 advantage other�
wine of the fine relationship established by the Vientiane Station
with the Lao AS.74i Chief of staff and his deputies.
tC(-2l4t,F1t7
Approved for Release: 2019/09/12 CO2876648
Approved for Release: 2019/09/12 CO2876648
8. indoctrination Center, .1 AMbassador Parsons recentlr prow
posed to 'help the Lao dovernment establish indoctrination centers
for refugees, prisoners and detectors from the Pathet Lao. 1
The proposal has not yet been .fully coordinated in Wasllington but
it appears to have merit.
9. Personnel.
cap For the frirector's information,
the newly appointed Chief of Station for Laos, has
opportunity to ntelflt. ItTbatmador Parsons because the,
before arrival. A coramendablo word
to A-mbassallor Parsons regarding
not yet had the
latter It1ft Laos
by the aractor
bs heleful.
Chief, For T.;ast._vl_sion
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cc: ULCI
Approved for Release: 2019/09/12 CO2876648