795A.00/9–2353
Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Smith) to the President1
In the matter of the MIG. So you will not think too ill of my judgment, I was consulted and expressed an opinion only in the matter of the payment of the $100,000, which, as you know, I felt should be paid, as the good faith of the United States was involved. As to subsequent procedure, I must say I agree with you, and I believe the solution we worked out this morning2 will make the best of the present situation, considering the number of statements that have been made already.
Also, I suggested and will try to arrange to have the pilot reject the $100,000 on the basis that his action was because of his own convictions and not for money. We can then arrange to have him taken over as a “ward” by the National Committee for Free Asia, which will give him the technical education he wishes and provide for his future to the extent of the reward which he would otherwise have received. C. D. and I feel that there is real propaganda value in this.
- A marginal note on the source text indicated that this memorandum was delivered to the White House at 12:30 p.m., Sept. 23.↩
According to a memorandum from Bonbright to Barbour and Thurston, Sept. 23, 1953, the question of the defection was discussed at the Secretary’s meeting that morning and the consensus was that although the pilot should be paid the $100,000, the MIG should be returned. The general feeling was that paying rewards for Soviet planes was counterproductive as a psychological weapon because it negated ideological motivation. (795A.00/9–2153)
In JCS telegram 948829, Sept. 23, 1953, the Joint Chiefs instructed CINCFE to withdraw the cash reward for Soviet planes and to offer to return the MIG in question to the rightful owner. (795A.00/9–2353)
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