Memorandum for Deputy Director for Intelligence: Comments on Us Position in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Brammell, James (1967-07-13). Memorandum for Deputy Director for Intelligence: Comments on Us Position in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Central Intelligence Agency.
- Has attachment: File:NBI74FK2.pdf
Abstract: A memo for the Deputy Director for Intelligence, CIA, on the a letter published in the Guam Daily News.
"The major thrust of Mr. MUrphy's thinking seems to be that the DS is ill imminent danger of losing its position of influence in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) within 5 years, through a plebiscite in which, be predicts, the inhabitants of the TTerritory are likely to vote for union with japan. This will have mime about, in his view, as a result of widespread indifference within the US Government toward the situation in the TTPI the "botching," (to use his term) of our job as administrators of the area, and a rapidly growing pro-Japanese sentiment among the 4WhAbitents. We have no reason to doubt the genuineness or sincerity of letter. Murphy's concern but we have considerable doUbt concerning its validity. We agree with Mr, Murphy's evident appreciation of the strategic importance of the area to to US interests. Its location flanks the forward defense perimeter -South Korea, Japan), the Ryukyus Taiwan, and the Philippines- and dominates the sea lanes to Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Existing and potential bases at Saipan, Truk, Kwajalein„ and elsewhere in the TTPT figure prominently in current US military deployment and planning. Retention of base rights, regardless of any possible future Change in political status of the area, is of major importance to US forward strategy. Guam, a major US base in the Marianas is a US unincorporated territory, and thus not actually included 'within the TTPI. Its close proximity to the TTPI -which almost surrounds it- however, necessitates its consideration in the same strategic framework..."
"...All in all, than, we feel that Mr. Murphy is unduly alarmist in predicting that the US is going to lose the islands, A plebiscite is not imminent; when it does come, it is doubtful that the inhabitants will choose either Independence or a return to Japan. Micronesian leaders realize that independence is not economically feasible, and most of them prefer to retrain with the US, perhaps by union with Guam.""
