190. Memorandum From Robert Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1

Rusk drafted the attached statement,2 which he and Bell request you authorize Mahon3 to put out tomorrow. It is primarily an effort to forestall restrictive Pak/Indian amendments to the aid appropriation. Mahon is strongly so urging.

You’ll see that it not only covers the halt in MAP deliveries but mentions the holdup on new economic aid commitments. This no more [Page 368] than accords with the facts of life, and helps establish our case for postponing any Pak consortium pledge.

But there is no easy solution to the underlying policy issues involved in aid suspension. It will certainly be highly resented in both India and Pakistan, and risks pushing both even further off the deep end. On the other hand, it may well help bring home to both the consequences of their folly. So Bundy and I think the argument is swung by the point that the importance of protecting the aid bill outweighs the risk of further affront to India and Pakistan.

Rusk wants your clearance tonight, but you may want to discuss the matter at the leadership breakfast. Bundy is available at home this evening if needed, and I can be reached through the Sit Room.4

R. W. Komer
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. 14, 7/1/65–9/22/65. Confidential.
  2. The statement indicated that in view of the conflict between India and Pakistan the United States had suspended military assistance shipments to both countries, and that, pending action on the foreign assistance appropriations bill, the United States had not been making new economic commitments since the new fiscal year began, including India and Pakistan.
  3. George H. Mahon, Representative from Texas, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, made the statement in the debate in the House on September 8. He indicated that the positions with respect to military and economic assistance had been outlined for him by Secretary of State Rusk as administration policy, and he urged legislative support for that policy, as well as for the administration’s policy of supporting the UN efforts to seek a resolution to the conflict on the subcontinent of South Asia. (Congressional Record, Vol. 111, pt. 17, p. 23141) The text of the statement was transmitted on September 8 to Karachi as telegram 310 and to New Delhi as telegram 379. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 27 INDIA–PAK)
  4. Johnson wrote “OK” at the end of the memorandum.