Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Japan; Korea, Volume XVIII

138. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, January 19, 1960, 10–11:40 a.m.

SUBJECT

• Economic Development

PARTICIPANTS

• [Here follows the same list as Document 132.]

Following the President’s discussion of his December trip, the Prime Minister discussed the need for aid to under-developed areas. The Prime Minister agreed with the President that such aid was most important and significant and expressed the hope that Japan could cooperate with the United States in providing such aid as would promote peace and the welfare of the peoples of the Free World. The President agreed that the two countries should maintain periodic and constant consultation regarding aid to areas where they have special and common interests.

The President then discussed the particular need for assistance to Africa. He mentioned the concern of President de Gaulle regarding the proliferation of many new independent states in Africa which were not ready for independence. The President said that, if the Communists succeed in attracting these countries and other under-developed countries either by propaganda based on glittering promises or with a possibility of progress under a controlled economy, he feared that we might find ourselves faced with a hostile bloc of sixty nations in the UN. However, the spirit of nationalism cannot be stopped and this trend magnifies the importance of the problem facing Japan and the U.S. A common understanding and determination on the part of all nations, not just one or two, is, therefore, necessary. The President mentioned that he had discussed this problem with the top Western European leaders who, while professing to recognize the need for assistance, may not all be prepared to move ahead as progressively as necessary. He said that he was certain that the Prime Minister viewed this problem as seriously as did the United States. He noted, however, that the United States must spread its aid throughout the world.

The Prime Minister mentioned his conversations on the need for assistance to under-developed areas with European leaders on his visit to Europe last summer. He said that, at that time he had emphasized the need for haste, otherwise the Communists would be given every opportunity to move in and exploit the situation. He was, therefore, completely in agreement with the views of the President and desired to cooperate with the United States in the provision of assistance to underdeveloped nations. The President noted that the United States is not only ready to consult on all matters of economic cooperation but is prepared to make any arrangements to expedite exchanges of people and experts between Japan and the United States.¹

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Parsons. See also Documents 132–137.
1. For text of the joint communiqué dated January 19, see Department of State Bulletin, February 8, 1960, pp. 179–181. Kishi paid a farewell call on Eisenhower on the afternoon of January 20, during which the two leaders discussed the timing of Eisenhower’s visit to Japan. (Memorandum of conversation by Parsons; Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries) See Supplement.