WESTERN IHEMISPHERE DEFENSE


645


sible in view of the strong feeling that exists in Congress regarding
the necessity for utilizing troops from other countries, that Congress
might adopt legislation permitting the grant of United States equip-
ment to Latin American forces that were organized specifically for
participation in the UN action in Korea or elsewhere.
  It appears, moreover, that even without special legislation it may
b epossible for the United States Government to transfer military
equipment and other supplies to forces which are being organized
specifically for participation in combat side by side with American
troops under UN auspices.
  Two general approaches may be indicated for the organization of
Latin American forces for use in Korea. On the one hand, special
forces could be developed in a few of the larger countries, notably
Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. These would retain their national
identity, and arrangements for their training and equipment would
be made directly with their respective governments.
   On the other hand, it is possible to envisage the creation of a
collective Latin American force pursuant to a decision of the govern-
ments, possibly through the OAS, that such a force should be devel-
oped under the authority and command of the UN Unified Command
(United States Government). Such a force, consisting initially
of- one division, might be assembled from all or most countries and
trained by the United States in Panama, Puerto Rico or the Philip-
pines. Countries having some equipment that would be of use might
contribute it, but, in the main, logistic support would come from the
United States. The advantage to us would be the net increase in the
manpower available for purposes for which United States troops
are now being employed and might otherwise have to be employed in
increasing numbers.
  The political advantage of the second approach, namely, the col-
lective force, would be greater in that it 'would involve the enlist-
ment of men from a larger number of countries and thereby widen the
desirable political effects mentioned above.
  Meetings held by the Latin American Diplomatic Corps in Wash-
ington during the past few days, concerning the Korean situation,
have emphasized the need of a positive statement of policy from the
United States ion the question of assistance which the Latin American
countries should give to the UN in Korea. These meetings have also
emphasized the natural tendency of the Latin American countries to
approach a world problem of this character in a collective manner.
Individual countries, sensing their weakness, tend to find strength
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