793.00/7–2850: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in India
170. Urtel 221, July 28. Dept agrees completely with ur reply Bajpai’s report of Chi officials’ professed fears re US aims in Asia. Fol may be passed on to Bajpai for relay to Pannikar:
You may confirm to Bajpai fact US Govt has authorized grant to Thailand of $10,000,000 for defense purposes; expected agreement with Thailand re grant can in no way be interpreted as part of a conspiracy to attack Commie Chi since it was requested by Thailand to [Page 416] strengthen security forces for protection its independence. Moreover, extent of aid proposed is in itself proof it cld be no contribution toward aggression and cld only be considered as marginal defense assistance. You may wish to add that Thai’s desire for defense supplies stems directly from her concern over aggressive and imperialistic manifestations internatl Communism directed from Moscow.
You may reiterate that any agreement which may be made will be in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN and add it will, if consummated, be registered with SYG UN.1
You may in ur discretion point out that obvious lack of preparation on part of So Korean army and US armed forces for war in Korea must in itself constitute clear evidence to the Chi auths in Peiping that US has no aggressive intentions in Asia. You may also wish to stress fact US forces are today fighting under the UN banner to carry out UN Res’s against unprovoked aggression.