290. Editorial Note
On October 16, the President released his decision relative to Section 143 of the Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended, which provided for the suspension of aid to Yugoslavia pending the evaluation by the President of Yugoslavia’s attitude toward the West. The President’s findings were sent in identical letters to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In these letters, the President stated that he had decided to resume assistance to Yugoslavia because of his conviction that Yugoslavia remained independent of the Soviet Union, and was not participating in any program for Communist conquest of the world. The President also remained convinced that it was in the national security interests of the United States to continue to assist Yugoslavia. Accordingly, the President ordered that economic aid, in the form of shipments of foodstuffs, be resumed. The policy of non-delivery of jet planes and other heavy equipment items would be maintained, pending further clarification of Yugoslav policies. The President cautioned that these determinations merely restored discretion to the President on the matter of aid to Yugoslavia, and that aid would be continued only if it remained in the interest of the United States. For text of the President’s letter, see Department of State Bulletin, October 29, 1956, pages 664–665. Yugoslav Minister Franz Primozić was given a copy of the President’s letter on October 15 by Jacob Beam. Their meeting is described in a memorandum of conversation, October 15. (Department of State, EUR Files: Lot 59 D 233)