781.5 MAP/9–2051: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece 1
1395. Toisa. Supplementing Deptel 1338,2 FY 52 MSP legis in conference comite this week. Appropriations hearings being conducted concurrently. Under circumstances difficult at moment forecast amts available Greece but safe assume econ figure will be substantially lower than 250 originally presented. Shld be remembered, however, that country aid figures used in Cong presentations are illustrative and do not necessarily represent aid level which is still to be determined. Important that Grks understand this procedure.
However, even if illustrative figure for Greece approximates level of econ aid as eventually determined by ECA, mechanisms may exist which will permit supplemental assistance in case of necessity. These involve trans between titles, trans from mil to econ within Title I, off-shore procurement by US, use of mil funds for some common use items.
While above methods may exist their use will be governed on basis strict and substantiated necessity. Cong comites have taken very hard look at econ programs especially those not directly related to mil effort. For this reason and also because 250 million figure conceived from beginning as subj substantial revision after realistic and detailed import program drawn up, wld urge that Grks undertake immed strenuous “hard core” approach to reappraisal present tentative and inadequately justified import program.
Substance above can be used as you see fit in countering possible adverse comment resulting from publicity aid level.