431. Circular Airgram CA–11942 from Rusk to Certain Diplomatic Missions, April 241
Personal for Chief of Mission from Secretary. I have delegated to David Bell my responsibilities under section 622(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act for the continuous supervision and general direction of the economic and military programs authorized by it, to the end that such programs are effectively integrated both at home and abroad and the foreign policy of the United States is best served thereby.
The following message from him, with which the Department of Defense concurs, has my full endorsement and support and I request you to give it your most earnest personal attention:
PREPARATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF MILITARY
AND ECONOMIC FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
The purpose of this message is twofold. First, to improve the understanding between our Missions abroad and the responsible agencies in Washington on the reasoning upon which requirements in the U.S. national interest for Foreign Assistance Programs, both military and economic, are based. Second, to insure that the foreign assistance resources of the United States are being applied, as between countries and as between military and economic programs, so as to best serve the United States national interest.
You will have received instructions on the preparation of the 1964 and 1965 AID programs in accordance with the AID Program Guidance Manual and with the approved statement of country assistance strategy. The MAAG Chief will also have received military assistance guidance documents from the Unified Commander. These documents constitute guidance for the development of programs beginning in FY 1965 and the refinement of FY 1964 programs.
[Facsimile Page 2]While the Secretary of Defense has primary responsibility for the determination of military end-item requirements and other aspects of the MAP program, and the Administrator of A.I.D. is responsible for the economic aid programs, these two programs must be mutually complementary parts designed to support the efforts of friendly nations to attain growth in freedom and to foster constructive economic and social change and development while forestalling the opportunities of Communism to exploit the situation.
[Typeset Page 1727]The closest coordination between State, including A.I.D., and Defense is, therefore, essential at all stages of the development, review, and implementation of both economic and military assistance programs in Washington and in the field. Interagency program review in Washington is established on a continuing basis. In order that this review proceed from a sound basis, we look to you, as Chief of Mission and head of the Country Team, for personal leadership in making program preparation a truly joint effort in the field, and for personal review of the composition, content, and justification of recommended programs to insure that they constitute the best balance of U.S. action necessary to attain U.S. objectives.
You are uniquely situated to view the complex of U.S. programs in the country as an integrated whole and to judge in detail the adequacy of their scope, articulation and balance. I need your personal judgment and advice on this, taking into account and expressly recognizing the differing points of view that may exist within the Country Team.
The programming process of foreign assistance is a continuing one. However, at least once a year we try to get a fresh, broad look at the scope and direction of our programs, the basic strategy and approach. This year that basic review is requested in the spring for both economic and military assistance, giving us more time for thought and a better chance to ensure adequate integration. Pertinent approved plans will be given due consideration, such as Internal Defense Plans for those countries where these have been approved and, in Latin American countries, plans approved by the Latin American Policy Committee.
You are requested to send to the Department at the time the respective programs are forwarded your detailed views and comments. I can assure you that your thoughts will be given the most thorough attention and will be a most important element in the interagency reviews of military and economic assistance programs in Washington.
Messages giving the timing and content of program submissions will follow shortly.
- Bell’s responsibilities under Section 622(c) of Foreign Assistance Act. Confidential. 3 pp. Department of State, Central Files, AID (US) 1.↩