Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXV, South Asia

396. Memorandum for the Record¹

Washington, November 28, 1966.

SUBJECT

• Telephone Call from the President on Indian Wheat (from the Ranch, 10:43 a.m.)

In summary, the President instructed that:

1. We provide him with a December–January–February schedule of absolute “minimum” requirements.

2. Irrespective of the above, we will not provide any wheat unilaterally, without substantial contributions from Canada, Australia, and France. Goldberg should have a hard go at them to see what they are prepared to do.

3. If we can get substantial contributions from the other producing countries, the President would be willing to provide a few hundred thousand tons prior to any Congressional action—if they do 1/2 million tons we might do 1/2 million tons. (“Get me a program which involves other donors, and for a U.S. amount of not over 1/2 million tons.”)

4. For anything more than that, we must get a Congressional resolution. The President is prepared to make this the first order of Congressional business in January.

FMB

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Histories, Indian Famine, August 1966–February 1967, Vol. III. Secret. Drafted by Francis M. Bator, the President’s Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs.