882.1561/10
President Roosevelt to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: The recommendation in your letter of 4 September 1943 for the construction of a port in Liberia, meets with my approval. In concluding your negotiations in this matter with the Liberian Government provision should be made for protection of United States military, air and naval interests in the port with particular reference to our future operational rights there.
Allocation of Lend-Lease funds for this project within the general limitation outlined in your letter is authorized. It is to be understood, however, that the work shall be performed by private contractors since military and naval personnel cannot be assigned without detriment to the war effort.
Very sincerely yours,