Editorial Note
In telegram Torep 8737 to Paris, November 19, Acting ECA Administrator Richard Bissell informed Paul Porter, the Acting United States Special Representative in Europe, and W. Averell Harriman, [Page 520] Chairman of the NATO Temporary Council Committee (see volume III, part 1, pages 1 ff.) that the United States was now prepared to extend a firm commitment of economic aid totaling $486.5 million to six NATO countries and that present plans also called for the opening of “rather similar discussions promptly with non-NATO countries, extent and time at which we would make firm commitment varying with tactical situation.” Included in this latter group of countries was Greece, with a projected aid figure of $170 million. Bissell added that existing commitments plus strongly predictable aid requirements for France and the United Kingdom “closely approach and may even exceed total sum that can legally be made available as economic aid. Therefore unless and until it is possible to see where one or more of these requirements can be reduced, it is essential no commitment be made to any one country in excess of the figure shown.” (ECA Telegram Files: FRC Acc. No. 53 A278: Paris Torep)