SECRET 1. SOUTH EAST ASIA THE COMMITTEE had before them a minute by the Secretaryθ covering a draft telegram for the Chiefs of Staff to send to Air Vice Marshal Bouchier on the situation in South East Asia. The draft telegram had been prepared, as instructed*, to answer Air Vice Marshal Bouchier's request for the views of the Chiefs of Staff on the present situation in South East Asia generally and in Indo-China, in Burma and in Hong Kong in particular, in a form suitable for discussion with General Ridgway.