405. Check Points from Komer to Hamilton, February 11
(Hamilton was away at time of NSC Meeting at which President talked about getting best “mix of military and other forms of aid.”)
1. AID must take the total over-view of our aid programs called for by President in NSC Action 2447. Finding the best mix is AID’s responsibility.
2. Hamilton is the guy who must mesh the MAP with AID programs. These run into each other at so many points, e.g. Korea, that we’ve got to take hold and make them run in harness.
3. Moreover, AID and MAP are competing for what, as President said, is liable to be an inadequate total pie in any given year. They are also competing for local budget resources. It is up to Hamilton to divide the pie and then listen to the squawks. There will be plenty, but JFK inclined to decide them in AID’s favor if it has a case.
4. AID badly needs a top, savvy guy to deal with DOD/ISA on equal terms. Chenery may not be up to this. It also needs a staff (Jack Bell had 100 people in State).
5. Hamilton must also pay more attention to police programs. These are vital to any counter-insurgency emphasis. Indeed, they enhance the stability so essential if economy to have time to grow. These programs are withering away under new AID criteria.
- Meeting on mix of military and other forms of aid. Secret. 1 p. Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Departments and Agencies Series, AID, 1/62–8/62, Box 268.↩