810.248/10–1647

Memorandum by the Secretary of the Policy Committee on Arms and Armaments (Sohm)

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There is circulated herewith for the consideration of the Committee a letter from the Secretary of the Air Force regarding the Air Force program of military assistance to the other American Republics.

The Air Force believes that the other American Republics should be allowed to purchase aircraft and equipment on the open United States market and the quantities should not be limited to equipment levels established by the over-all Western Hemisphere Defense Program.

Earl D. Sohm
[Annex]

The Secretary of the Air Force (Symington) to the Secretary of State

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Dear Mr. Secretary: The Department of the Air Force has had under study for some time the Air Force program of military assistance to the other American Republics. As you know, because of the lack of implementing legislation, provisions of the Surplus Property Act of 1944 have been utilized for the transfer, under the “Interim Allocations Program,” of certain aircraft and equipment included [Page 123] in the “Over-all Western Hemisphere Defense Program.” Prior to transfer, these aircraft were overhauled and put in excellent mechanical condition and were accompanied by as complete a level of one year’s maintenance spares as was available. This was done at considerable expense to the Department of the Air Force in the interest of assuring that the success of this program would not be jeopardized as a result of unsatisfactory equipment being transferred to the Latin American Republics.

Because of budgetary limitations and shortages of aircraft and maintenance spares, it is not now feasible for the Department of the Air Force to offer aircraft for transfer to the other American Republics, except on an “as is where is” basis, and on the understanding that there is a limited availability of spare parts. Moreover, because of higher priority requirements, sufficient aircraft will not be available to implement fully the “Over-all Western Hemisphere Defense Program.”

However, there is available ground maintenance, communications and weather equipment, included in this program, and excess to United States Air Force requirements, which could be transferred at little cost to the United States Air Force. Further allocations of this type of equipment can be continued by the Department of the Air Force. It is felt that the purchase of this type of equipment should be encouraged in order to build up technically sound and balanced Air Forces in Latin America.

In order that the Department of the Air Force will not be placed in the position of dictating what air force equipment the other American Republics should have, especially when we are not in a position to furnish such equipment, it is felt that the other American Republics should be allowed to purchase aircraft and equipment on the open United States market. In addition, they should not be limited to equipment levels established by the “Over-all Western Hemisphere Defense Program.”

In view of the above and pending passage of authorizing legislation and establishment of a long term program of military collaboration, the Department of the Air Force has no objection, from the military point of view, and without consideration of the political aspects, to the purchase by the other American Republics of new or surplus aircraft and equipment of authorized security classification, from any source on the open United States market. However, it is desired that the approval of export licenses for such equipment be coordinated in each instance with the Department of the Air Force in order to preclude approval of purchases which interfere with United States [Page 124] Air Force procurement or which are inimical to hemispheric solidarity from the military point of view.

Sincerely yours,

W. Stuart Symington