194. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Sprague) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson)1
Dear Walter: I apologize for the delay in answering your letter of June 6th2 re the relationship between CINCFE and the United States Ambassador in Tokyo in connection with the disestablishment of the former on July 1. Actually, I only received the letter today since it was intercepted by the staff and they have been endeavoring to obtain Defense comments.
For your private information, this office agrees with your position and I believe the concurrence of Admiral Radford and Mr. Quarles can be obtained. The foregoing position is subject to one proviso, assurance that rescinding the Presidential Directive of April 23, 1952 will result in no substantive or protocol impact under the security and administrative agreements now in effect with Japan. I have directed my office to advise me on this point.
I must suggest a further delay which I hope will be very short in order that we can advise the Navy which will be the Executive Agent in the Department of Defense for that area after 1 July.
I will advise you promptly of the final decision.
Sincerely yours,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/6–2157. Secret.↩
- In this letter, Robertson outlined arguments in support of the Department’s view that the Presidential Directive of April 23, 1952, should be rescinded at the time of the disestablishment of CINCFE. The letter is attached to this one. See Document 125.↩