Office of the Historian

142. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State0

New Delhi, June 21, 1962, 11 a.m.

4122. Eyes Only for Acting Secretary. Pass White House for President. Reference Embassy telegram 4119.1 With President’s agreement I would urge a letter along following lines. The purpose as you will see is to confirm the fact of delay and consideration of a British alternative.

“I was very glad to get Ambassador Galbraith’s report of his talk with you. The news that the purchase is not imminent and that you will [Page 284] be able to consider an alternative British offer comes to us as a real relief. I am not less grateful for knowing that you are under considerable political pressure on the matter.

“As Galbraith has told you the word MIG arouses special emotion and in this election year here we have been having particular trouble with aid legislation. Apart from the India cut, which we have succeeded for the moment in getting largely restored, and Poland and Yugoslavia where we have come to expect trouble, we had a serious setback on payments to the Philippines. This was particularly indicative of the Congressional mood for our good relations with that country have always been an especial source of pride in the Congress and throughout the US.

“I am sure you realize that we do not want to put pressure on our friends or even seem to do so and decisions such as these are wholly yours. But where, as in this case, they involve matters of deep common concern, and in particular our ability to help each other, I know you would wish me to place the problem before you.

“Ambassador Galbraith told me that he found you looking decidedly more fit than the newspaper accounts of your illness had led him to expect. I am delighted and I hope the improvement continues and that you accord yourself the proper care.”2

Galbraith
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 791.5622/6-2162. Top Secret; Niact.↩
  2. Document 141.↩
  3. In telegram 4304 to New Delhi, June 21, Galbraith was instructed to deliver the text contained in telegram 4122 to Nehru not as a letter but as a personal message from President Kennedy. The telegram, sent eyes only for Galbraith, cautioned that the White House was concerned that there be no leaks about the message “in view of possible repercussions.” (Department of State, Central Files, 791.5622/6-2162) Galbraith indicated in telegram 4183 from New Delhi, Document 147, that the message had been delivered.↩