This is a tape of a portion of the 12th annual conference of the Military Government Association, held in Washington, D.C.. A speaker calls the meeting to order, and introduces the chairman of the first panel, the topic of which is, "International Military and Political Affairs." the chairman, who is a past president of the Association, is Brig. General Strom Thurmond. Thurmond introduces each panel member as they present their talks. Below is a list, and a synopsis of what each has to say.

The Honorable John Erwin II, Assistant Secretary of Defense, was supposed to have given a talk but was unable to attend. His deputy, Robert H. Knight, took Erwin's place. Knight reviews the strength of the military of Communist states, and the uses to which the military is put. According to Knight, the Communists use their military to control others, to supply arms to small countries, to take over small countries, and to provide self-defense, in the event of war (including an accidental war). Knight also reviews the strength of the U.S. and other free-world military forces.

Brig. General Millard C. Young, Air Force, from the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, covers the topic of personnel and planning for cold war activities. Before he begins he mentions that he feels "timid before such outstanding company as General Lansdale." He discusses the "state" of cold war, and the psychological preparedness of the Communists. He argues that Americans, military and non-military, must "put on our cold war glasses" to see reality, and we must "keep them on all the time." He further argues that to sucessfully combat Communist proganda against us (which makes us unpopular in the countries we are trying to help), we must send to trouble spots people who know the language and the customs of the host population.

The Honorable Robert D. Murphy, Undersecretary of State, is given the topic of the "international political situation." He decides to discuss the Berlin situation, "as it relates to the present talks going on in Geneva." Murphy outlines the plan offered by the U.S., which includes reunification of Berlin as the prospective capital of a reunited Germany; free elections; agreed-upon reduction of forces (by all four powers) in both Germanys; measures to prevent Germany from becoming aggressive; and a democratic government for the reunited Germany.

Colonel Edward Lansdale, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, speaks on "cold war and civil affairs." General Lansdale touches on the basic differences between Communist thought and American thought; and he discusses "the little people" who must deal with Communists in their own country. He outlines the reaction on the people of the Philippines to the Communist Huks, and the difference in morale made by the institution of free elections. He concludes by stressing that the U.S. must hold fast in the fight for freedom, because it is our bond with "men of good will, everywhere."

Richard M. Helms covers the fifth topic, "Soviet military occupation." Helms is the Assistant Director of the CIA. His talk is a review of history, concentrating on the way the U.S.S.R. tried to rule (and usually succeeded) in four contries: Austria, East Germany, Poland, and Hungary. He discusses the way the people of these countries resisted Soviet repression of their freedoms (of press, speech, and assembly). He then describes how the Soviets were able, more often than not, to crush any resistance.