254. Letter From the Director of the Foreign Operations Administration (Stassen) to the Under Secretary of State (Hoover)1
Dear Mr. Hoover: In reply to your letter of June 9, 1955,2 in which you propose a Joint Program for immediate action to be presented to the Government of Bolivia, this agency shares with your Department the deep concern over the development of a more sound economy and a stable democratic political system for Bolivia. This agency concurs in your proposals for action.
In reply to specific points set forth in your letter, program determination has been made with respect to the $3,888,000 in market value of surplus agricultural commodities.
An additional allocation has already been made under the provisions of the Mutual Security Act of 1954 totalling $1,600,000 for development assistance for the purchase of equipment and supplies. These funds are now being obligated through the issuance of purchase authorizations.
The remainder of the funds, which amounts to $499,500 and which makes up the total of $2,099,500 allocation referred to in your letter, will be required to defray ocean freight charges on the surplus commodities mentioned above.
Part of this freight allocation will be approved prior to the end of fiscal year 1955 and the balance, which will apply to surplus commodities to be shipped dining fiscal year 1956, will be provided for from fiscal year 1956 funds prior to scheduled shipment dates.
The $150,000 allocation for carrying out the survey of Bolivia’s mining industry and financial and fiscal structures awaits approval in early fiscal year 1956. No delay is contemplated with respect to organizing Missions to accomplish this work and indications are that the International Cooperation Administration will implement this program as soon as notification is received that the Bolivian Government accepts the program.
Sincerely yours,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 824.00/6–3055. Confidential↩
- Document 251.↩