CIA SUPPORT TO MEO TRIBESMEN IN LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP65B00383R000400040003-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 29, 2010
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: April 8, 1963
• Content Type: MEMO

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nJE CIA Support to Meo Tribesmen in Laos
port to Meo tribesmen began initially in January 1961
when authority was given to train and arm 1, 000 to serve as a
aria force. From that time until 6 October 1962, with the
approval of the Special Group, the organized Moo forces were
Increased to a maximum strength of 19, $00. These Meo were trained
to various degrees, given arms, organized into several types of
uerriUa units, some of which were mobile, and certain personnel
were selected for leadership and communications training.
After 6 October 1 002 this guerrilla force, principally defensive
in nature, was converted into a "force in being" which could provide
the V. S. with an already organized guerrilla force should hostilities
be re-initiated by the communists in Laos A carefully selected
d
as
group of this force had been trained in intelligence reporting, an
of the beet
h
one
a result its leadership has, provided we U. 5. wit
stay-behind intelligence organizations yet achieved. It is by means
E;es geence information on the activities of the Pathet Lazo
who
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since 6 October, under a program supervised by
orces
.
:, a~.
d financed by All), the Defense Department and C'` ,
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, a
the Meos have been provided rice, seed rice, salt, clothing and
primitive agricultural tools for cultivation. The continued supply of
food and daily needs for the Moo until they can become self-sufficient
themselves has been the, subject of bitter attack by the Pathet Lao
(and certain neutralists closely allied with the Pathet Lao) who have
to upset the Government of National Union.
U. S. will eventually use
itin
d in
r
wr
g
'inter nVa v at one juncture requeste
Ambassador that tliee a ielief fights be maintained to Mao
J
il
.
.
es, but the sty b not been without incident; - planes
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SECRET
been shot down by neutralist units inspired by the Pathet fig.
Phouraa has failed to exercise a strong hand to guai
these flights. Nevertheless rice ana scat Drops are
rom Vientiane under AID auspices as best as possible
,Umsbances.
Owortly, CIA has a mission to supply Moon with ammunition
Le Mao need such for defending their home areas from harassment
of Lao and Viet Minh. Since 28 July 1962, the date of the
g of the Geneva Accords, the Ambassador has recommended,
e Department and the ate muse have approved cc
on resu .l on four Occasions
to help the Moo defend their own homesites. The most
ese ammunition resupply flights occurred in March 1063.
it is of interest to note that in eng 7ouang Province, which
includes the currently critical Plaine des Jarres ar
between g, 800 and 4, 000 Moo. They are principally in defensive
one atop the hills which encircle the Plane des Jarres.
hod
A.
EU
2
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