260. Memorandum From President Eisenhower to Secretary of State Herter0
It is of the utmost importance that the American public be kept fully and accurately informed regarding our military and economic assistance programs. The future success of these programs depends in large part upon the extent to which they are understood and supported by the American people.
At present, the great accomplishments of these programs and their vital role in the attainment of our foreign policy objectives are not sufficiently understood, while exaggerated or groundless criticisms are often widely circulated. Much of this public misunderstanding is undoubtedly traceable to the fact that adequate information about the programs is not available to our people.
I am aware of the legal inhibition against utilizing assistance funds for “general propaganda in support of the mutual security program.” I am advised, however, that the legislative history of this enactment, supported especially by recent statements of influential Congressional Committees, makes it clear that the prohibition was intended to be narrowly construed. Further, such Committees during the last session of the Congress urged that fuller information about the programs be made available to the public.
Accordingly, you are requested to consult with the Secretary of Defense in the development of coordinated plans and to allocate at once sufficient funds and personnel to keep the American public fully and fairly informed on a continuing basis about the personnel, operations, accomplishments and problems of the assistance programs. This task should be accomplished by a balanced reporting of the facts, [Page 504] utilizing all appropriate means or media of communications. Criticisms of the programs should be fully, promptly and frankly answered. If they are valid, this should be recognized. The purpose should be to place before the public all of the facts.
Other Governmental agencies are requested to assist as appropriate.