62. Memorandum From Edward K. Hamilton of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1
SUBJECT
- Executive Order on Food Aid
As you directed, I have asked Charlie Schultze to go slow on the Food Aid Order now in preparation. But he will need more specific guidance soon. The relevant facts are as follows:
- 1.
- There must be an Executive Order of some kind if the program is to operate at all. Authorities must be delegated, procedures established, administrative arrangements revised to fit the new Act, etc.
- 2.
- Most of the provisions in the draft Order are agreed among the relevant agencies, including Agriculture. (There seem to be some differences between Orville and his people on this; but it seems clear that his objections do not extend to the minor authorities and technical details of the Order.)
- 3.
- The Order does not divest Agriculture of a leading role in formulation of policy and administration of programs. It does strengthen State/AID. Many of your advisers—including Schultze, Katzenbach, Gaud, Califano, Bator and myself—believe that we should move in this direction if we are to maximize our leverage on recipient countries and give any substance to our promise that food aid will be more closely coordinated with other economic aid.
Thus, Schultze and I believe it makes sense to get the relevant senior people together and try to thrash out an Order—without prejudice to your decision, and with clear notice to any Congressional or press questioners that no decisions have been made. If agreement is impossible, we would plan to come to you with a full presentation of the issues and options.
None of this is meant to ignore the very real Congressional problem which concerns Orville. Any hint of movement to strengthen State/AID in the food aid business raises some hackles on the Hill—but it also pleases some people. On balance, I am convinced that the substantive [Page 180] case for some movement is strong enough that you should have an opportunity to hear it before making up your mind.
You and Schultze go ahead with meeting as above2
Revise the Order to take out the passage to which Freeman objects
Stop work on the Order
Speak to me
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Subject File, U.S. Food Aid Policy [1 of 2], Box 15. No classification marking. Sent under cover of a January 11 note to Rostow from Hamilton who wrote: “Attached is the memorandum to the President on food aid which we discussed yesterday. I checked it out with Charlie Schultze. He concurs. The sentiments ascribed to Califano and Katzenbach represent their views as of about a week ago. Schultze particularly hopes that Katzenbach will weigh in heavily on this one.” A handwritten “L” appears on the source text.↩
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