Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXV, South Asia

303. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Komer) to Secretary of Agriculture Freeman¹

Washington, March 24, 1966.

India Food Message. In discussing the food problem with Secretary Rusk, Ambassador Bowles, and myself² today, the President expressed the following views.

1. We should be ready to go with a message by Tuesday.

2. He does not want to make any more interim allocations prior to putting the whole matter before the Congress.

3. He believes that we must propose specific quantities in the message, as otherwise it will get amended in this sense on the Hill.

4. His own current thinking is to request on the order of 2.5 million tons of wheat, a million tons of milo, and some cotton—all to be included in the message. By not asking for any more we would keep up the pressure on other countries to contribute.

5. He is open-minded on the subject of a formula.

I am sure that the President would be prepared to hear argument on these points, but I wanted to be sure you had his current thinking.

R.W. Komer ³

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Histories, Indian Famine, August 1966–February 1967, Vol. I. Confidential. Copies were sent to the President’s Assistant Joseph A. Califano, Jr., and to AID Administrator David E. Bell.
2. Jack Valenti was also present and prepared handwritten notes on the meeting. His notes indicate that he did not participate in the discussion. (Ibid., Office of the President File, Valenti, Jack, Meeting Notes (Handwritten) 2/26/66–4/6/66)
3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.