711.56373/8–2454: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation in Libya1
64. Ben Halim from Byroade.
[Page 596]“I regret most sincerely any misunderstandings which may have arisen over economic assistance since I am confident that no obstacle presents itself to the execution of the arrangement I proposed to Your Excellency on behalf of the United States Government.2
Your Excellency is correct that our discussions revolved around two separate and distinct types of aid, the first being a definite commitment of $40 million, the spacing of which over the future years has already been determined as outlined in my memorandum to you; the second being any additional economic aid which the Congress might in future years authorize. It is with respect to the latter that I could make no specific commitment for the future beyond the $3 million for the current US fiscal year, although promising the continued sympathetic interest of my Government in Libya’s economic needs.
The offer of $40 million from the United States Government was made after consultation with Congressional authorities. Under the American constitutional system funds for all expenses of the United States Government are voted on by the Congress in annual appropriations bills. This, I believe, is also true in Libya with respect to the Libyan Parliament. The annual appropriation of funds is so fundamental to our system of government that I felt the point was sufficiently reiterated by the language of the final paragraph in the economic section of my memorandum. Since the special funds will come from funds appropriated annually to the Department of the Air Force, the existence of the airbase in Libya in itself constitutes a very practical assurance that the U.S. Government will carry out its obligation in this regard.
What I wish to emphasize is that with respect to the $40 million the United States Government is making a commitment as certain as any it is now possible to make. It is one on which I am confident Libya can plan and rely.
I trust that this letter will serve to dispel any doubts which may have arisen within the Libyan Government, particularly since I am so confident that these doubts are unfounded.”
Request Prime Minister in using this letter continue treat fact Air Force source of special funds as classified matter only to be revealed as necessary.
- This telegram was drafted by Root (AF) and cleared in the offices of Hancock (USAF) and Jernegan (NEA). It was sent to Benghazi and repeated to Tripoli for information.↩
- Benghazi telegram 35, Aug. 22, transmitted a message to Byroade from Ben Halim, requesting clarification on the matter of base agreement payments. He had understood in Washington that there were to be two types of aid: the first, a definite commitment of $40 million, and the second, additional aid to be considered and voted each year. Some doubts had been raised about the firmness of the first commitment, and Ben Halim wanted to know if in fact the actual payment would be subject to the specific voting each year of the annual amount by Congress. He wanted to be assured that it was a final commitment, and that only the second type of aid required annual review by Congress. (711.56373/8–2254)↩