Office of the Historian

180. Memorandum for the Record1

Washington, May 27, 1967.

SUBJECT

  • Minutes of the Meeting of the 303 Committee, 27 May 1967

PRESENT

  • Mr. Rostow, Ambassador Kohler, Mr. Vance, and Mr. Helms
  • Admiral Taylor was present for all items.
  • Mr. Cord Meyer was present for Item 1.
  • Mr. Charles Schultze was present for Items 1 and 2.
  • Mr. Donald Jamison was present for Item 3.

1. The Asia Foundation

a.
In the discussion of the future of The Asia Foundation,2 the following points were made: The principals and the Director of the Bureau of the Budget felt that it was wiser to transfer [less than 1 line of source [Page 556] text not declassified] in its entirety in a secure manner to the Foundation’s account rather than filter portions through AID or State at this time.
b.
Ambassador Kohler agreed that the State Department would nominate a senior official to undertake the responsibility of liaison to tide the Foundation through its difficult realignment period and set it on its path to self–sufficiency in 1969. Mr. Rostow suggested the name of Ambassador Winthrop Brown (if his new responsibilities would permit an added chore). Mr. Meyer indicated that such a person would have the full cooperation of a CIA officer thoroughly conversant with the project.
c.
It was fully agreed that the Foundation was definitely in the national interest and should be protected and nurtured.
d.
Mr. Schultze pointed out that in the future TAF would have to count on multifarious sources and, regardless of the results of the Rusk Committee findings, there never would be a single solution. He also indicated that, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] a proper husbanding of resources should leave the Foundation with sufficient assets to face the future in 1969. He also wanted it emphasized that the Foundation would be competing for federal funds with other worthy causes.

[Here follow agenda items 2–5.]

Peter Jessup
  1. Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 303 Committee, May 27, 1967. Secret; Eyes Only. Drafted on May 31.↩
  2. For the CIA paper that was the basis of discussion of this issue, see Document 176.↩