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CHAPTER VI
STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING US SECURITY
In the event of war, a friendly administra-
Mexico does not currently produce large quan-
tion in Mexico could be of some assistance in
tities of petroleum for export, it is considered
preventing enemy agents or armed forces from
to be an important potential source of oil for
crossing the long common frontier into US
the US.
territory, and could aid the US in coastal pa-
The only foreseeable threat to US security
trol. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec could be
in the Mexican economy is that from labor or
of importance as a possible base for Canal de-
saboteurs. Communists either direct or influ-
fense. On the other hand, the Isthmus is
ence Mexican labor in such key industries as
undeveloped and unprotected and could be
mining, petroleum, and railroads. Trained
an objective for enemy forces. If the trans-
saboteurs or Communist agents have been re-
Isthmian rail connections were improved,
ported in Mexico and sabotage plans may have
Isthmian transportation could be used as a
been worked out, although the major action
supplement to the Panama Canal.
from Mexican labor would be through strikes.
From the strictly military point of view
President Alemán has been able in the past to
Mexico presents two important strategic con-
use the army effectively to break strikes in the
siderations. First, Mexican territory includes
petroleum industry and national railroads.
sites that might be valuable for radar, naval,
In the event of war between the US and USSR,
and air bases. The second consideration is
the Mexican Government could probably break
that Mexico could contribute a military con-
strikes in any strategic industry.
tingent for overseas operations. The chief
The administration in Mexico is stable and
value of such active participation would be
in control of the political machinery. In the
the psychological effect produced on the other
event of war, the present Mexican Govern-
countries of Latin America.
ment would cooperate wholeheartedly with
Mexico is an important source of various
the US in the interests of hemispheric defense
strategic minerals and metals. Although
and in support of the US war effort.
NOTE
The Office of Naval Intelligence concurs with this treatment only on the basis of maximum possible
contributions from Mexico under the most favorable conditions. It believes that there are restrictive fac-
tors of a geographic, political and economic nature which would limit the usefulness of the Isthmus of
Tehuantepec and the possibility of a substantial military contingent for overseas operations.
SECRET
63
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"ocrText": "SECRET\nCHAPTER VI\nSTRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING US SECURITY\nIn the event of war, a friendly administra-\nMexico does not currently produce large quan-\ntion in Mexico could be of some assistance in\ntities of petroleum for export, it is considered\npreventing enemy agents or armed forces from\nto be an important potential source of oil for\ncrossing the long common frontier into US\nthe US.\nterritory, and could aid the US in coastal pa-\nThe only foreseeable threat to US security\ntrol. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec could be\nin the Mexican economy is that from labor or\nof importance as a possible base for Canal de-\nsaboteurs. Communists either direct or influ-\nfense. On the other hand, the Isthmus is\nence Mexican labor in such key industries as\nundeveloped and unprotected and could be\nmining, petroleum, and railroads. Trained\nan objective for enemy forces. If the trans-\nsaboteurs or Communist agents have been re-\nIsthmian rail connections were improved,\nported in Mexico and sabotage plans may have\nIsthmian transportation could be used as a\nbeen worked out, although the major action\nsupplement to the Panama Canal.\nfrom Mexican labor would be through strikes.\nFrom the strictly military point of view\nPresident Alemán has been able in the past to\nMexico presents two important strategic con-\nuse the army effectively to break strikes in the\nsiderations. First, Mexican territory includes\npetroleum industry and national railroads.\nsites that might be valuable for radar, naval,\nIn the event of war between the US and USSR,\nand air bases. The second consideration is\nthe Mexican Government could probably break\nthat Mexico could contribute a military con-\nstrikes in any strategic industry.\ntingent for overseas operations. The chief\nThe administration in Mexico is stable and\nvalue of such active participation would be\nin control of the political machinery. In the\nthe psychological effect produced on the other\nevent of war, the present Mexican Govern-\ncountries of Latin America.\nment would cooperate wholeheartedly with\nMexico is an important source of various\nthe US in the interests of hemispheric defense\nstrategic minerals and metals. Although\nand in support of the US war effort.\nNOTE\nThe Office of Naval Intelligence concurs with this treatment only on the basis of maximum possible\ncontributions from Mexico under the most favorable conditions. It believes that there are restrictive fac-\ntors of a geographic, political and economic nature which would limit the usefulness of the Isthmus of\nTehuantepec and the possibility of a substantial military contingent for overseas operations.\nSECRET\n63"
}