Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Foreign Economic Policy; Foreign Information Program, Volume IX

120. Memorandum From the Secretary of State to the Director of the International Cooperation Administration (Hollister)¹

Washington, August 7, 1956.

I am prepared, with some misgiving, to approve your proposal of May 18, 1956 with reference to ICA responsibility for Public Law 480.

I greatly fear that what I understand to be increased control will be exercised in such a way as to create friction and nullify instead of promote our policy objectives. It is human nature for one human being to enjoy exercising power over another and to seek to extend and enlarge that power. However, I am willing to give this a try.

I believe that reference should be made in your instruction to the supervening circular 58² from the President regarding the responsibility of ambassadors, and that ambassadors should have a responsibility to report if they believe that the procedures in particular cases are too rigid and are nullifying our foreign policy objectives. In that event, further consideration can be given the matter.³

JFD

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, ICA Director’s Files, FRC 61 A 32, Box 307, Commodities—Agricultural Surplus. Official Use Only.
2. Dated July 24, not printed.
3. A handwritten notation on the source text reads: “8/13/56—Noted—JBH”.