891.51/1–347
The Secretary of War (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to the recent decision to provide military assistance to the Government of Iran by making available noncombat matériel in reasonable quantities, and nonaggression combat matériel within the limits of a credit of ten million dollars allocated to Iran for this purpose.
Pursuant to the foregoing decision, General Mazhari2 of the Iranian Army has presented a list of equipment and supplies desired by the Iranian Government (Inclosure 13). The War Department has reviewed the Iranian request for nonaggression combat type items (this excludes such items as medium tanks and bombers) and has given General Mazhari a list of equipment (Inclosure 23) which, it is believed, may be made available substantially as shown therein. In addition, although not shown in Inclosure 2, the Iranian request for aircraft can also substantially be met.
Preliminary examinations indicate that except for such items as those currently under procurement, the War Department can make available a substantial portion of the items requested by the Iranians. Every attempt will be made to meet this program with surpluses overseas. It is hoped that most of these will be already in the hands of the disposal agency, Foreign Liquidation Commission. Items to be furnished from the Zone of the Interior will be processed through War Assets Administration. It is understood that, in accordance with existing procedure, the matériel will be turned over to the Iranians on site and that they are to be responsible for its transportation by commercial carrier or otherwise.
[Page 891]It is requested that the War Department be informed of your concurrence in the continuation of present arrangements whereby the disposal agency reimburses the War Department for the costs incident to care, handling, packaging, and preparation for shipment, in so far as the Foreign Liquidation Commission is concerned.4 A copy of a letter to War Assets Administration5 on this same subject is inclosed.
Sincerely yours,